[Duff Cooper, as Minister of Information in Churchill's wartime government.] Publicity document, in facsimile of typed letter, praising the British Commonwealth of Nations, attacking Hitler, and looking ahead to a union of European nations.

Author: 
Duff Cooper [Alfred Duff Cooper, 1st Viscount Norwich] (1890-1954), Conservative politician, diplomat and author, Minister of Information in Winston Churchill's wartime government
Publication details: 
On letterhead of The Special Secretariat, Ministry of Information, Malet Street, London, W.C.1. 2 August 1940.
£180.00
SKU: 21343

2pp, 8vo. On a single leaf. In fair condition, aged, worn and creased, with one short closed tear. Folded twice. A Ministry of Information publicity document, with facsimile signature 'Duff Cooper', beginning: 'Dear Sir, | An article which appeared in the most prominent place in one of our most widely-circulated daily newspapers a few days ago contained the following sentence as a comment on the appointment of the Controller of Overseas Publicity in the Ministry of Information: | “What difference” said the writer “there can be between 'Overseas Publicity' and 'Foreign Publicity' must rest secretly in the Ministry, since we are an island.” | Apparently the writer had for the moment forgotten the existence of the Dominions, India and the Colonial Empire.' The aim of the document is to 'remind people what an astounding achievement the British Commonwealth of Nations is'. Cooper points out that 'Eire […] has decided not to take part in the war; and no attempt has been made to compel her to take part, however much we may desire it.' He considers the Commonwealth 'a league of nations that has worked and has succeeded' In contrast, 'Hitler is attempting to unite Europe by force by taking away everybody's freedom and compelling them to obey the will of one nation, while that nation obeys the will of one man.' He concludes, in words that will find resonance with pro-Europeans: 'We, when the war is over, must also hope to see some unity in Europe, but a unity based upon the free will and consent of the various nations who will pool their resources, share their responsibilities and combine their armed forces while retaining their own liberty, just as the nations have done who form to-day the British Commonwealth.' No othewr copy traced.