The Unity of Europe

Extract

Total war has clearly shown the interdependence of all European countries. It has taught us that a European country cannot save itself by geography, valour, or neutrality. If a few isolated European countries have been able during the war to maintain their existence by declaring themselves neutral it is solely due to the fact that Nazism and Fascism have lost the war before they had succeeded in accomplishing their final aims.

Great Britain, with her Empire and possessions scattered throughout the world, is closely bound up with the interests and aims of the non-European continents. But this does not alter the fact that this country and the Empire can no longer dissociate themselves from the fate of Europe and that an isolation policy—such as was advocated before the war by certain responsible political circles—has now become an inner impossibility. If any extra proof is needed it can be seen in the invasion of the Continent by the allied nations and in the use of the newly-invented technical weapons. These have proved how vital it is for Great Britain to prevent any potentially hostile power from using the ports of the Lower countries and France for an attack on her. Beyond that, we must reckon with the perfection of these weapons in future. Nobody can predict whether one day it will not be possible to send flying bombs from Central or even East Europe.