Christopher Priest - The Separation

PRIME MINISTER: [Introduction]: Welcome to all.

Introductions all round. Compliments to Dr Burckhardt -P.M. is a great admirer of Red Cross. Apologies received from Count Folke Bernadotte (Swedish Red Cross), Mr Attlee (Lord Privy Seal).

C.O.S. to represent all armed forces’ interests; agreed nem con.

[Meeting commences]: I have read your paper and commend you for it. It is an ingenious work of great historical interest. Will enter annals of magnanimous achievements. Undoubted skill and diplomacy. Great congratulations. However, it is unacceptable in theory as well as in practice. It will not hold. I will have none of it. The War Cabinet will have none of it. The Br. people will have none of it. We have no intention of making a deal with Germany.

DR BURCKHARDT:It is not a deal with Germany, but a restitution of peace and order in Europe. Not one-sided. A separation of Britain and Germany from the state of war. Our best information is that Hitler himself is probably behind it.

H.M. AMBASSADOR - SPAIN:The former king has endorsed it.

P.M.:The endorsement of our former king is not relevant to affairs of state. That is not to be discussed today. Where have I seen you before?

J. L. SAWYER:I don’t know.

P.M.:Why aren’t you wearing your RAF uniform?

J. L. SAWYER:I am not a member of the armed forces. I am an unconditionally registered conscientious objector.

P.M.:I can’t talk to Hitler. He won’t talk to me. We cannot pursue that line of approach. It would bring Japan into the war and keep the USA permanently out. Stalin will have none of it. The USA will have none of it. The Polish, Free French and Commonwealth powers will have none of it.

C.O.S.:Intelligence reports from Poland confirm German troop concentrations are continuing to build up on Soviet border.

FOR. SEC:Stalin has been informed about German build-up but he is suspicious of our motives.

C.O.S.:We can’t stop Hitler if he moves eastwards. We should not even try.

P.M.: [Sums up Br. approaches to Soviet Union on this.]

[Continues]: Hitler always said he never wanted a war on two fronts. If he is about to start something in Russia, nothing could be more to our advantage. Gentlemen, thank you again for your magnificent contribution to the cause of peace, but H.M. Gov’t has no position to make to or defend against Hitler. We are at war and shall see it through. That is the final word on the matter. Good day to you all.

P.M. indicates the meeting has ended.

DR BURCKHARDT: [Appeals for further discussion.]

[Continues]: We have a genuine opportunity for peace with prospects for stability within Europe thereafter. The war could end this month. Neither side would make concessions to the other. A ceasefire and withdrawal. Britain’s pre-war position apropos Europe restored. Commonwealth secured. Sovereignty of France restored.

P.M.:What about Poland? We went to war in her cause.

DR BURCKHARDT:Poland is unsolved problem for time being. The Red Cross is proposing that German withdrawal be in two phases. In the first, the occupied countries of Western Europe will be relieved. In the second, the occupied territories of Middle and Eastern Europe, including Poland, will be up for discussion. We are proposing a second round of negotiations after the first phase has been concluded successfully.

P.M.:H.M. Gov’t has nothing we wish to offer in negotiation for that or any other cause.

DR BURCKHARDT:Our preliminary contacts suggest that German Gov’t see this differently. They want a free hand in the East above all other priorities.

P.M.:We are not interested in helping Germany have what they want.

FOR. SEC.: Vital British interests at stake. Empire at risk in Far East. India under threat if Japan enters war. Suez Canal in jeopardy. Still only a remote possibility of involvement by U.S. Gov’t in European war. There are serious and growing concerns about persecution of minorities in Germany and occupied territories. Continuation of war is inevitable.

P.M.:We have intelligence reports concerning Hitler’s intentions in Eastern Europe. This is to our total advantage. No further action is necessary. The meeting may stand down. Thanks to all present for time and attention to a matter of such importance.

P.M. again indicates the meeting has ended.

FOR. SEC: [Requests permission to seek information. PM. concurs.]

[Continues]: Could we first hear summary of German peace proposals?

P.M.:Summary only. I do not have time for details to be minuted.

DR BURCKHARDT: [Summarizes conditions under which negotiations took place. Describes members of negotiating teams of both sides. Describes role played by Mr Sawyer.]

[Continues]: It is necessary to address the most important detailed proposal first. A sensitive matter, but declared non-negotiable by the German Gov’t. Present speaker has the unwelcome duty of presenting this matter frankly. They propose that the present Prime Minister of UK stand down.

P.M.: [Summarizes his negative reaction at some length and in candid language.]

[Continues]: What is the second most important proposal?

DR BURCKHARDT:The abdication of the present king in favour of the restoration of Edward VIII.

P.M. proposes adjournment to the meeting. All parties retire and convene in separate adjacent rooms. P.M. requests Privy Councillors to accompany him.

Meeting resumes at 11.57 a.m.

P.M.: [Declares he has consulted attending members of Privy Council.]

[Continues]: A loyal subject of the present king. Summarizes great bravery of present king and queen in face of the Blitz. Pays tribute to their morale-raising activities during bombing. Describes immense and abiding affection held by Br. people for present king and queen. Parliament is sovereign and the present constitutional arrangement cannot be altered by P.M. Abdication of present king in favour of restoration to be non-negotiable. Constitutional hazards await. That is the end of it.

FOR. SEC:Could we hear the remaining proposals from German Gov’t?

DR BURCKHARDT:Immediate cessation of hostilities by both sides, including naval and air actions. Return of prisoners. Exchange of diplomats. Treaty of Versailles to be set aside. No reparations to be paid by either side. Release of currency and gold reserves. Art treasures to be restored to pre-war holders.

Phased German withdrawal from Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Channel Islands, Yugoslavia and Greece. Withdrawal to commence immediately. All to be completed by end of August 1941.

UK to assume responsibility for the Jewish question (to be funded by uncontested UK access to oilfields of Middle East, including but not confined to Iraq, and Persia).

Germany to be given free hand in Eastern Europe. State of benevolent neutrality to exist between both countries thereafter.

[Lays documents before the meeting.]

P.M.:I studied your proposals in advance of today’s meeting. Your deal presupposes Bolshevism to be a greater threat to Europe than Nazism and that Hitler is our best guarantor against it. UK Gov’t might accept that. US Gov’t would certainly accept that. Stalin would not accept it at all.