Source 1c

Letter from Anthony Eden to Neville Chamberlain, 1937 (PREM 1/210)

Transcript

… our defences during a critical period, the moral effect upon the world would be excellent. This may be quite impracticable and I did not want to write to you on the subject before Christmas; I only make the suggestion now in the hope that if it appeals to you, you may feel it worth while to have the matter further examined. The fact that commercial orders for new ships have recently fallen off may make it all the more possible to accelerate Admiralty construction.

 

Cleverly will, I think, have explained to you that we decided to bring Van’s appointment out today, in view of guesses which the press were beginning to make on account of his G.C.B. I am sure that it was wise to do this and I consulted Van and he fully approved. Cadogan is settling in here very well and I am confident that the new order of things will work very well satisfactorily.

Your ever,
Anthony Eden

 

The Right Honourable Neville Chamberlain, M.P.

Reference notes

Alexander G. M. Cadogan
Sir Alexander George Montagu Cadogan: British politician in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the same time as Anthony Eden

A.E.M. Chatfield
Lord A.E.M. Chatfield: Minister for Co-ordination of Defence for the British National Government (September 1939)

Royal E. Ingersoll
President Roosevelt of USA sent American naval officer, Captain Royal E. Ingersoll, to London in late 1937. In January, 1938, Ingersoll discussed the possible relations and operations of the United States and Great Britain in case they ‘were involved in a war with Japan in the Pacific which would include the Dutch, the Chinese, and possibly, the Russians.’ From this time onward Ingersoll had no doubt that Roosevelt had war with Japan in the back of his mind and made no bones of this fact in his confidential discussions.

Robert Vansittart ‘Van’
Permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office. He was very anti-German. His hostility to Germany was such an threat to Chamberlain’s policies that he was moved sideways to the prestigious but meaningless job of Chief Diplomatic Adviser in 1938.

G.C.B This means that someone is a member of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath

Cleverly Most likely a member of the Prime Ministers staff

 

« Return to Eden’s last stand
  1. Can you describe the tone of the letter in the first paragraph? Is it formal or informal?
  2. Was it intended to be read by Chamberlain alone do you think?
  3. What evidence is there from the letter that Eden thought it important to build US support?
  4. Which aspects of Britain’s defences did Eden think needed improving?
  5. What phrases can you find in the letter that show that Eden seemed to be underplaying his concerns? Clue: think about use of language and tone.
  6. What do you think the hand written comment made by Chamberlain at the top of the letter suggests? Clue: ‘No. 11’ refers to Downing Street the offices of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
  7. Why did Eden write this letter to Chamberlain?
  8. Can you find evidence in the letter for any of the following reasons?
    • Eden was trying to put pressure on Chamberlain
    • He was trying to alert Chamberlain to the fact that Britain was playing a weak hand and needed a strong ally
    • He was calling for rearmament to be taken more seriously
    • The letter indicates fundamental tensions over foreign policy which could to flare up later