One evening last week, before a subdued Birmingham audience who were prepared both to clap (unhysterically) and heckle (politely), Neville Chamberlain stepped apologetically to a microphone, cleared his throat and fidgeted with his prepared speech. It was the last of a series of quiet Cabinet statements (and understatements) of Britain's case. The reedy voice began: "My Lord Mayor, my lords, ladies and gentlemen. . . ." Quietly it proceeded, in the well-considered, nicely balanced classical oratory without which no Briton could become a politician and no politician move a Briton: "I don't think there can be doubt in...
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