Nazi aggression, one might think, should have lent support to Winston's candidacy. At this, of all times, it seems inconceivable that Baldwin would pick a weak man to supervise the defense of England. Nevertheless, that was what he did. Baldwin said outright: "If I pick Winston, Hitler will be cross." In his biography of Chamberlain, Keith Feiling writes that the Rhineland was "decisive against Winston's appointment"; it was "obvious that Hitler would not like it." As the prime minister's heir apparent, Chamberlain encouraged Baldwin to think along these lines. He suggested that Baldwin choose a man "who would excite no enthusiasm" and "create no jealousies." The prime minister agreed. On Saturday, March 14-exactly a week since German troops had crossed the Rhine-he announced that he was establishing, not a ministry of defense, but a ministry for coordination of defense. Its leader, the new cabinet member, would be Sir Thomas Inskip.
( William R. Manchester )
[ The Last Lion 2: Winston ]
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