HC Deb 10 September 1941 vol 374 cc271-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."— (Major Dugdale.)

Captain Cunningham-Reid (St. Marylebone)

I do not think the House fully realises what we are up against in the United States of America. Let me give a typical example and quote from a recent issue of a syndicated news column which has an enormous circulation in the United States. I will take only a few paragraphs of this column. This is what it says: The facts are, in the plain English which we are only now beginning to hear spoken, that England knows she cannot win the war against Germany, but she positively will not make peace, no matter how honourable a peace might be offered. Any German offer of a peace conference with honour, Lord Vansittart says, will always have a certain degree of acceptance among the mugs of high circles as well as low. But no compromise peace is possible. That column goes on to ask "Why?" and continues: Because the British Empire expects America to do her fighting for her, and to drag her chestnuts out of the hot coals of the war she has declared and the diplomatic complications she has involved herself in. We Americans could not say this and be believed, but when English lords and generals and Members of Parliament say it it must be recognised as true. Moreover, Mr. Attlee, Member of the British War Cabinet, repeats it, and Mr. Churchill, Premier of England, definitely declares it. There is no getting away from the fact that Hitler would be in clover if he could arrange peace this year. Even if peace were proposed and rejected, he would be no worse off. In fact, our rejection might be what he really wants, for he could then hope that the British Government's attitude would not be appreciated in the United States of America and might lead to a further weakening of our present invaluable relationship with that country. Without enthusiastic American aid Hitler might defeat us, and in that event he would not have to trim his peace terms to suit the combined might of Britain and the United States of America.

Hitler has conducted the whole of this war differently from what was expected. Hess was a fantastically original "feeler." Hitler shrewdly noted the reactions in this country and in the United States of America. He is doing the same about Russia. He is no fool. Do not let us blind ourselves to the fact that Hitler's Russian move has made Roosevelt's task all the more difficult. John Martin, the famous American war editor of "Life," recently said: The Russian Nazi war has disunited American public opinion. There are millions of Americans who hate Communism, just as there are millions who are hoping that Russian resistance will in some way or another let them out. The net result in both cases is the same: a slackening-off of enthusiasm for the necessity of continuing the war, and a correspondingly effective boost for the Isolationists. I wonder whether this House appreciates that the membership of that Isolationist organisation, the "America-first Committee," is fifteen millions.

Notice taken, that 40 Members were not present.

The House proceeded to a count.

Captain Cunningham-Reid

Have I the opportunity to raise a point of Order?

Mr. Speaker

The hon. Member cannot raise a point of Order now.

House counted, and, 40 Members not being present—

The House was adjourned till the next Sitting Day.