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Next day the Government announced a full military alliance with Poland—much stronger than originally advertised. The effort for peace continued. Ambassador to Germany Sir Nevile Henderson had one last talk with Hitler, just to get everything straight. From this interview Sir Nevile flew straight home to report. For 48 anxious hours the Cabinet worked to settle on a formula that might mean peace without retreat. At last they composed their answer: urged negotiation, offered mediation, agreed to discuss the German colonial question, trade relations and even reduction of armaments—but not in an atmosphere of war. Hitler must settle his quarrel with Poland, and Britain would stand by her ally. Sir Nevile boarded a plane for Berlin as crowds at Heston Airport shouted: "Good luck!"
"Thanks," said Sir Nevile. "I'll need it."
>London's favorite and most revealing story-of-the-week was about a militiaman who was asked: "Are you going to fight for King and Country?"
"To hell with King and Country!" "Well, are you fighting for Democracy?" "I don't give a damn for Democracy!" "What are you fighting for?" "To beat that bloody Hitler."
*Final score: Germany, 286; Sweden, 266; France, 130; Finland, 117; England, 93; Denmark, 57; Belgium, 42; Norway, 42; Poland, 36; America, 6; Rumania, 3.