BRITISH PRES COMMENT
April 12th-April 19th
The week has brought forth-growing criticism of the Government
and an attack upon Churchill's position as Defense Minist
(NOTE An attempt was made last February to compel Churchill
to give up his post as Defense Minister. But the attack was lost
sight of in the general assault made by his enemies at that
Sir Edward Grigg launched the new attack, a former under Minister
to whom reference was made in last week's Report. Now Hankey,
a former Minister and head of the Cabinet Secretariat in the
last war, continues the assault. Hankey drew a bonus of £25,000
from public moneys for being good at defending Lloyd George a
quarter of a century ago. He also pulled down a peerage and got
a place in the Chamberlain Government. He knows a great deal
and says it at great length.
When Churchill sacked Hankey last February, Hankey replied
with a very bitter letter, denouncing in retrospect Churchill's
war strategy. Now he charges that this strategy has depended
on sentiment. I think he is referring to the Greek expedit
Hankey is joined by Lord Swinton. He is a former Air Minister
who won't do or say very much.
A third protagonist is Lord Salisbury, who is the real leader
of the Conservatives in the House of Lords and whose son is the
titular leader. Salisbury is a war-scarred veteran, but the scars
of course are all political. The Salisbury family always fights
at Headquarters, and God is always on the same side. Salisbury
is a dangerous foe.
The Times and The Daily Mail are the newspapers carrying the
burden of the campaign. The News Chronicle is not far of
Hopkins and Marshall swept the newspapers into one enthusiastic
song of praise. Hopkins should be sent over to London every time
there is a crisis. Even the Daily telegraph, the faithful friend
of the Government which has opposed every suggestion of a Second
Front, and %usually with much criticism, now refers to the "vigorous
views from Washington which give great encouragement".