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Government would participate whole-heartedly in a parallel common attempt to bring about a real 
 
limitation and reduction of armaments, and a return by the nations to a sane economic system of 
 
international trade relations. On these latter two points, as the Minister doubtless knew, my 
 
Government was even now discussing the possibility of finding common views with the neutral
 
powers. All of these opportunities towards a return to a world of security, sanity and prosperity 
 
would be grievously, if not fatally, prejudiced, if a war of devastation now broke out.
 
          The Minister made a brief rejoinder. He attempted, without success, to modify his 
 
interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine. He expressed the hope of the German Government, after 
 
the war was over, of being able to return, in cooperation with other powers, to a liberal
 
international trade system. With regard to the prevention of a war of devastation, he said over and 
 
over again, "We have not attacked England. She has attacked us. I see no way by which we can 
 
attain the peace we want and which we seek, save through German victory."
 
               I then terminated the interview, which had lasted from midday until quarter before three.
 
          Ribbentrop has a completely closed mind. It struck me as also a very stupid mind. The 
 
man is saturated with hate for England, and to the exclusion of any other dominating mental 
 
influence. He is clearly without background in international affairs, and he was guilty of a 
 
hundred inaccuracies in his presentation of Geman policy during recent years.
 
     I have rarely seen a man I disliked more.