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in Britain, and the Prime Minister acknowledges that ‘it is a departure from our cherished ideals’. But Chamberlain tells MPs, ‘A very little weight one way or another might decide whether war is to come or not.’ The Military Training Bill for all men between the ages of twenty and twenty-one will be introduced on 1 May.
    28 April, B ERLIN
    Hitler addresses the Reichstag. He denounces both the 1934 Non-Aggression Pact with Poland and the 1935 Anglo-German Naval Agreement, ‘since the British Prime Minister was not able to trust German assurances’. Hitler also sarcastically replies to President Roosevelt’s proposals of a fortnight ago. None of the states named by the President, Hitler says, feels threatened by Germany. But he boastfully reminds Roosevelt: ‘I have brought back to the Reich provinces stolen from us in 1919. I have led back to their native country millions of Germans who were torn away from us andwere in misery . . . and Mr Roosevelt, without spilling blood and without bringing to my people, and consequently to others, the misery of war . . .’
    28 April, W ORTHING
    ‘Hitler made his two-and-a-quarter-hour speech in the Reichstag in answer to Pres. Roosevelt’s Peace Statement. He demands Germany’s former colonies, denounces the Anglo-German Naval Treaty, makes demands on Poland. But on the whole the situation is no worse.’ (Joan Strange)
    29 April, L ONDON
    Picture Post features a series of photographs of Prague under German rule. And in an article on economic appeasement, it argues strongly that ‘it is wicked to dream of trade agreements with Germany’.
    May
    3 May, M OSCOW
    Maxim Litvinov is replaced as Soviet foreign minister by Stalin’s right-hand man Vyacheslav Molotov. Litvinov, a Jew, has always been regarded as pro-Western and has followed a policy aimed at ‘collective security’ with his slogan, ‘Peace is Indivisible.’ His abrupt dismissal is seen by many as indication that Soviet foreign policy may now take a new direction. Oliver Harvey, Lord Halifax’s private secretary, wonders, ‘Does it mean Russia will turn from the West towards isolation? And if so, won’t she inevitably wobble into Germany’s arms?’
    4 May, T EDDINGTON
    ‘Litvinov, foreign minister of USSR after ten years, is superseded by Mr Molotov. This may make all the difference to the negotiations with Russia.’ (Helena Mott)

    Soviet Dictator Josef Stalin, flanked by Vyacheslav Molotov (left) and Maxim Litvinov, walking in the Kremlin. Molotov replaced Litvinov as Soviet foreign minister, 3 May 1939. ‘The last great friend of collective security is gone.’
    5 May, W ARSAW
    Colonel Beck makes a firm but essentially non-provocative speech in Parliament. He rejects the Nazis’ suggestion that the Anglo-Polish agreement presents any threat to Germany. Beck sees no reason why it should have led to Hitler cancelling the 1934 non-aggression pact.
    5 May, L ONDON
    Picture Post publishes its first article in a series entitled ‘Britain Prepares’. It features the Territorial Army and shows how ‘Britain rebuilds her defences’. The same issue has examples of Nazi propaganda against Britain in the German press since Munich. Even ‘The Lambeth Walk’ has been attacked: ‘A degenerate dance? – no, a degenerate people!’
    5 May, L ONDON
    Chamberlain, ‘looking like a turkey who has missed his Christmas’, makes a statement on Anglo-Soviet relations. Former foreign secretary Anthony Eden, who resigned in February 1938 over Chamberlain’s policy towards the dictators, is disturbed about the progress of Britain’s negotiations with Russia. He believes that they lack boldness and imagination. Britain should be trying for a definite triple alliance with France and the Soviets. Eden met Stalin and other Soviet leaders on a trip to Russia back in 1935. He offers to go to Moscow as negotiator. His offer is not taken up.
    7 May, V ERDUN
    From the First World War battlefield of Verdun, the Duke of