Chamberlain was resistant to Churchill's counsel regarding the incorporation of Russia into the Anglo-French Treaty. However, Halifax publicly declared that if Germany were to attack Czechoslovakia, France would be obligated to assist, suggesting that both Great Britain and Russia would follow suit. This statement illustrated a sentiment that diverged from any supposed popular pacifism, highlighting the prevailing attitudes of the British public, which were much more alert and proactive than Chamberlain and his circle.

The public's inclination was not one of apathy; rather, it indicated a readiness to respond to threats. While Chamberlain clung to a more passive approach to foreign policy, the officials like Halifax recognized the urgency and potential consequences of German aggression. The contrasting views between governmental leadership and the public mood underscored the tension in the approach to facing the looming threat of war.