Documents from the papers of Sir Gerald Barry, editor, The News Chronicle, in the London School of Economics Political Archives.

[1940 peace moves - draft insert for David Irving: "Churchill's War", vol. i: "Struggle for Power", updated edition.]

IN Britain the News Chronicle had exclusive rights to the results of the Gallup Poll. On March 8, 1940 Henry Durant, managing director of the British Institute of Public Opinion, who conducted the poll in the UK, wrote to the newspaper's editor reporting that the mood for peace was rising. Twice in recent months the pollsters had put to the public this question: 'Would you approve of disapprove if the British Government were to discuss peace proposals with Germany now?' A month after the war began, the mood was belligerent, and 77 percent had disapproved (against 17 percent approving); by late February 1940 the mood was more sober, and sixty one percent disapproved, while almost one in three, twenty-nine percent, particularly among the younger and poorer elements of the population, thought the Government should discuss peace with Hitler. This was a dismaying figure for the bellicose News Chronicle.* 'At the moment,' Durant reassured the editor, 'no one else has a copy of these figures and I intend to do nothing unless I hear from you.' (Source: Durant to Barry, Mar 8, 1940, see below).

Affiliate of

THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PUBUC OPINION. DIRECTOR: Dr. GEORGE GALLUP

 

ALDWYCH HOUSE, LONDON, W.C.2

CHANCERY 8920

Dear Mr. Barry,

Q. 'Would you approve or disapprove if the British Government were to discuss peace proposals with Germany?"

I am enclosing a copy of the results of the above question, which was included in the Survey completed last month. At the moment no-one else has a copy of these figures and I intend to do nothing unless I hear from you.

You may be interested to learn that by means of a key on the last Survey forms we checked how many of those interviewed knew of the existence of the Institute. Of those questioned, 27% had heard of the Institute; 8% were marked as being sceptical, 26% were marked as being neutral in their attitude and 39% were marked as being willing to answer.

We intend to repeat this check-up to see how the proportions change.

Yours sincerely,

[signed:] Henry Durant

Gerald Barry, Esq.,

News Chronicle,

Bouverie Street,

London, E.C. 4.

MANAGING

DIRECTOR:

HENRY DURANT

THE BRITISH INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC OPINION

Q. "Would you approve or disapprove if the British Government were to discuss peace proposals with Germany now?

It will be seen that the number approving of such negotiations has risen from 17% to 29%. Moreover, the number of persons without an opinion has risen from 6% to 10%.

Breaking down the results into the various opinion groups shows that the greatest increase in approval of peace discussions with Germany has occurred, on the one hand, amongst the youngest age group - from 17% to 31%. and on the other hand, amongst the lower income group - from 16% to 30%. In other words, it is the young people and the poor people who are becoming more anxious to see an exploration of the possibilities for peace.

It may be added that the rate of increase has been lowest amongst the oldest people, with the middle age group half way between.

It is interesting to note that the number amongst the higher income group expressing approval is actually lower in February than in October last. This group, however, is small and the drop is not sufficiently large to be statistically significant. It is certain that the desire amongst this group to see peace negotiations opened has not increased. There is a further indication that the growing approval for peace negotiations springs from growing opposition to war and not from increase in pro-Nazi sympathy. The increase of approval is much greater amongst those who voted against the Government in the last General Election 17%, from 21% to 38%, than amongst Government supporters, who show an increase of 8%, from 13% to 21%.

8.3.40.