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On the record there was little doubt that Chamberlain reflected Britain's great desire for peace when he talked with Hitler at Munich. That he was not altogether naive in his appraisal of the European situation was evident by his having ably stocked Britain with foodstuffs. When he was convinced of Hitler's bad faith he did foresee the need for British armament. Yet there was little credit due him for having made a "deal" to stall for time when the arrival of war showed he had failed to capitalize on delay, his armament program had not progressed much beyond the promissory scale.
A five-year survey of Neville Chamberlain's remarks on the British armament drive makes a poor epitaph for one whose family served the Empire in high station for 64 years:
Jan. 1935—"If we are to make our contribution to that general sense of security in Europe we must at all events be sufficiently armed to be able to do so."
Nov. 1935—"The Government have been conscious that their hands have been weakened by the knowledge of other countries that Britain was not strong enough, either at sea or at land. . . ."
July 1936—"No one . . . can doubt that if we are to play our part in preserving the peace ... it is absolutely necessary that we should rehabilitate our armed forces. . . ."
Fall of 1937—"I must frankly admit that progress is not yet as fast as I should like but it soon will be ... production has begun in earnest."
Dec. 1937—"The country is ... getting stronger every day."
March 1938—"The almost terrifying power that Britain is building up has a sobering effect on the opinion of the world."
After Munich, 1938—"We must renew our determination to fill up the deficiencies that yet remain in our armaments."
Feb. 1939—"Our arms are so great that, without taking into account the Dominions' contribution, 'Come the three corners of the world in arms and we shall shock them.' "
April 1940—"Those seven months that we have had have enabled us to make good and remove our weaknesses ... so enormously to add to our fighting strength that we can face the future with a calm and steady mind, whatever it brings."