268 NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN: MAN OF PEACE

special appeal; the attempt to reconcile Britain
and Germany had been his father's most splendid
failure in foreign policy. Sir Austen, an admitted
Francophile, had yet lived to bring about the
Franco-German handshake at Locarno. The con-
summation of their work would be the production of
a lasting settlement with Germany as an equal partner
in the comity of nations. Hitler could still make a
strong case to his people and to the world at large
that this equality had not been reached. Mr.
Chamberlain was well aware that peace with Ger-
many was not obtainable just for the asking, and
in June there was a significant and somewhat
mysterious attempt to make direct contact with
the German Government by means of a visit to
London from Baron von Neurath the Nazi Foreign
Minister. It was reported in the Press on June 21st
that a Western Pact would be negotiated with the
Baron's arrival in London. The next day, however,
The Times announced that the visit was postponed.
It is difficult to believe that the motive for post-
ponement was confined to the turn of events in
Spain. The full meaning of this episode however is
not as yet revealed to us.

While Mr. Chamberlain was enjoying a well-
earned vacation difficulties soon arose. Following
the refusal of the Home Office to renew the permits
of three German journalists the Nazis asked the
Foreign Office to ask The Times to remove from
Germany their senior correspondent in Berlin, Mr.
Norman Ebbutt. The Times ignored the request
but shortly afterwards Mr. Ebbutt was ordered to
leave by August 21st. This was a particularly mal-
adroit and provocative move. The Times with its
immense influence was in active process of identify-
ing itself with Mr. Chamberlain's views, and the
Germans were gratuitously insulting a powerful