One of the most important political developments in Britain during the first two weeks of last month was the agitation set afoot with the idea of bringing about the inclusion of Mr. Winston Churchill in. the Cabinet. It is by no means certain that he was in any way personally responsible for the campaign, which indeed appears to have' been conducted regardless of his wishes by a number of enthusiasts who may in the long run be found to have done him considerable harm. Indeed at the time the agitation died down it was believed that his chanees of ever becoming a member of Mr. Chamberlain's Cabinet had dwindled, largely because of the manner in which the campaign had been conducted, and the number of influential supporters of the Prime Minister who were antagonized by it. There is not the slightest doubt that there is a very large section of public opinion in Britain which is in favour of the inclusion of both Mr. Churchill and Mr. Anthony Eden in the present Cabinet, believing that it would be considerably strengthened thereby, and it is suggested that even the pro-German clique in London are of the opinion that the time has come for Mr. Churchill to enter the Cabinet, believing that Herr Hitler is now in the mood to negotiate peace, but not with Mr. Chamberlain. That particular section believes that Mr. Churehitt could drive a better bargain with Herr Hitler than could the Prime Minister, and would like to see him in office before any palavers commence. The fiot that Mr. Churchill is anathema to Der Fuehrer, who has declared that his inclusion in the British Cabinet would be an indication of the inevitability of war, is no longer regarded as a factor in' practical polities, especially by those who contend that it is no business of any foreign statesman as to how the British Cabinet should be constituted. There are many facts which substantiate Mr. Churchill's claim to office, but probably an equal number which would Justify the opposition to his claims, for brilliant man as he is, Mx. Churchill's political career has been erratic, and while his assessment of the situation created by the accession of Herr Hitler to power has all along been correct, many of his decisions of the past deprive him of any real claim to, infallibility.
The claim which is made for him that he kept the fleet in being in August, 1914, and sent it to its battle stations, is one which he does not make for himself. It was Prince Louis of Battenberg who was responsible. When during the war the convoy system was advocated as the best means of combatting the submarine menace, Mr. Churchill was not in power; had he been he would undoubtedly have used his. influence to oppose the scheme, of which he did not approve, while it must be remembered that he was a member of the Liberal administration of 1906-1914 which was responsible for the shocking state of unpreparedness of British defences which was undoubtedly a contributory factor the actual outbreak of war. Since' Mr. Chamberlain has been in office he has been very vocal in his criticisms of the Prime 'Minister's policies, and that to such an' extent that he would be a very uncomfortable man for the Prime Minister to have in his Cabinet. Years ago a famous politician said of Mr. Churchill "Winston is an uncomfortable bedfellow in politics. First of all he tries to kick you out of bed. If ho fails at that, he tries to pinch all the clothes." It is not diffult in view of such remarks as these on Mr. Churchill's character to realize that no Prime Minister would bbe anxious to include him in his Cal unless forced to do so by stress of circumstance. It is consequently very doubtful whether Mr. Churchill will reach office 0 Jong as peace still exists, though there is every possibility that should war break out room would be found for him, if only because of the realization that in any National Government which would then be formed, everything would have to be submerged in the veneral desire to get things done and victory achieved.
It is not, therefore, because of any fear that Herr Hitler would regard the inclusion of Mr. Churchill and Mr. Eden in the Cabinet as a threat of War, that either of these gentlemen have not yet secured office again. Their policies are in direct opposition to those of Mr. Chamberlain, and it is, impossible to expect him to include in his Ministry men who do not see eye to eye with him. Should war prove to him the complete breaking down of everything for which he has stood, then it will be time: for him to form a Cabinet which will command the support of all sections of the House of Commons, and in it Messrs. Churchill and Eden would undoubtedly find a place. Tt would be only at such a time that it would be possible for the Prime Minister to overlook the bitter attacks which Mr. Churchill has at various times made upon him, apart from the fact that various Cabinets have found him a very dificult person to get on with. Nevertheless despite all this the agitation for the return of Mr. Churchill to the Cabinet received most powerful support from the Press as well as in political circles, and it speaks well for the firmness of the Prime Minister that he was not daunted by the clamour which was raised. Every London news~ paper, excluding "The Times" took up the cry, while such powerful provincial journals as the "Manchester Guardian" and the "Yorkshire Post" followed suit. "And yet the move failed, not only because of the determination of the Prime Minister not to commit political suicide, but because there is still a substantial section in the country which realizes the disadvantages of Mr. Churchill's brilliant but somewhat mercurial character, and distrusts a politician who has demonstrated throughout his career none of that consistency which alone can arouse the completest confidence. Mr. Churchill is in some respect not unlike Mr. Lloyd George. 'The latter was the man of the moment during the Great War, since when hhis greatest has somewhat diminished. Mr. Churchill" may yet find his opportunity awaiting him, but if he does, it will be because of the' action of foreign leaders, and not because of anything Mr. Chamberlain is likely to do
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.