281

SECRET
POLICY COMMITTEE
8th July 1940

Present:

Minister

D.D.C.

D.S.

P.S.

Lord Perth

Sir Kenneth Clark

Mr. Kirkpatrick

Mr. Macadam

Mr. Wellington

P.P.S

Mr. Ogilvie

Sir Noel Ashbridge

Mr. Ryan

Mr. Valentine Williams

Mr. Willert

Mr. Wiltshire (Secretary)

1. “NEW EUROPEAN ORDER”

Mr. Valentine Williams stated that it was anticipated that the Germans would shortly make a pronouncement on the new European order. This would foreshadow various measures such as the substitution of work for gold as an economic basis, the destruction of France and Great Britain and other matters. It seemed to be necessary to forestall a fake German peace offer based on this plan. He thought that we should emphasise (l) the determination of the people to win the war, (2) that Hitler's word was not to be trusted, (3) that the British Empire was entirely at one with us and (4) that in some cases it was preferable to quote reliable newspapers rather than to initiate a matter of this kind. Electra House were now exploiting German atrocities and would be grateful for any information relating to Holland. He also thought that great emphasis should be laid on Roosevelt's export plan.

Lord Perth expressed some doubts where it would be wise to attack a plan till it was actually put out. He asked whether Hitler was in fact in a position to launch any broad scheme of world order whatever he might now be putting about. He would be obliged to make some statement about Poland and Czechoslovakia. It was, however, felt that we should nevertheless make preparation for such a plan being launched.

In the discussion which followed it was pointed out that much of these terms might be plausible. They would announce a revolutionary doctrine to which there was no proper answer but another doctrine. A purely defensive attitude would be ineffective. It was essential, moreover, to state that we were not fighting to preserve the status quo. The Deputy Secretary thought it necessary to give the people points to reflect on which were definitely antagonistic to the Germans. The point was mentioned that in spite of the German line to abolish plutocracy Hitler had made peace with the French Government which represented the “deux cent families”. After discussion it was decided that Mr. Nicolson and Sir Kenneth Clark should draft a leaflet. This would be shown to the Minister and it should be considered whether it should not form the basis of discussion with the Foreign Office and the Cabinet. The points which would have to be considered were the abolition of privilege, equality of opportunity, rights of man and rights of nations and liberty to develop under suitable form of autonomy. The Minister thought it advisable not to go too far in the matter of proclaiming of “revolutionary” doctrines.

2. SHORT WAVE TRANSMITTER

Sir Walter Monckton read Mr. Ogilvie's correspondence and stated that if it were agreed that the subject of a short wave transmitter in Canada was to be discussed there were two possible bases (l) that it should be regarded purely as on emergency station for the B.B.C. to be used if the British short wave stations became useless and that we should merely ask the Canadian Government to lease us their land and other facilities, paying all expenses and [illegible] what we wished, or (2) that we should put the matter to the [illegible] ent as a joint effort, in which we should both have the use of 282 the station, working in some form of joint collaboration. After discussion the various points which had already been made on the file it was decided that we should place the problem before the Dominions Office in the first place and ascertain their reaction.

3. ANTI-RUMOUR CAMPAIGN

Sir Kenneth Clark outlined the plans of the anti-rumour campaign. He suggested that it might start on Thursday, and the Minister agreed to broadcast on that day. They were having a series of press advertisements and the advertising agents who had been employed in the planning the campaign had suggested the idea of a “Silent Column”. He emphasised that the attitude was at present still somewhat negative and that it was important to give it a positive turn. People should therefore be given information and it was desirable that they should feel in carrying out the campaign that they were making a positive contribution to the defence of the country rather than that they were passively refraining from something which would hinder it.

OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Valentine Williams said that he had heard many stories of the sang froid of people in air raids, and information of this kind might be used in propaganda to Germany. Some doubt was expressed by Lord Perth and Mr. Kirkpatrick whether such stories might not encourage the Germans to greater efforts themselves in this direction and they thought that these stories were more valuable from the point of view of home morale.

The question of Dutch broadcasting was referred to. As previously reported the Swinton Committee pronounced against any time being given to foreign governments on security grounds. The broadcasting and Foreign Divisions still thought that the Dutch project was desirable. It was agreed that this should be reopened with the Swinton Committee, and Mr. Kirkpatrick undertook to send a note on the subject to the Principal Private Secretary.