BRACERS Record Detail for 68554
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BR regrets not being able to attend the Oct. 25 deputation to the Prime Minister concerning deportations in Eastern Europe.
BR is concerned that the members of the deputation were overly critical of the government's position. BR mentions the rapid dissatisfaction of "all classes" with Russia, after much positive feeling as BR noticed in June 1944 upon returning from the U.S.
BR TO UK PRIME MINISTER / CLEMENT ATTLEE, 25 OCT. 1945
BRACERS 68554. TL(CAR). McMaster
Proofread by K. Blackwell
Grosvenor Lodge, Babraham Road
Cambridge
October 25 1945
The Prime Minister
10 Downing St.
London W.1.
My dear Prime Minister,
I was to have taken part in yesterday’s deputation, to deal particularly with the problem of expulsions of Germans from their homes in Eastern Europe. I regret very much that a lecture here prevented my being present, especially as my wife, who represented me, reports that some members of the deputation appeared to her to be unduly critical of the Government, seeming to imply that they considered the Government satisfied with the existing state of affairs, though this is obviously not so.
In speaking of the expulsions my own object, had I been there, would not have been to criticize, but to offer support, realizing that any action the Government can take on this matter must be backed by a strong public opinion.
There is evidence of the rapid growth of such opinion, not only among the politically conscious people who read the newspapers, but also among working people who have relations in the army of occupation. This opinion has little public expression. I wished to call attention to it, believing that the Soviet Government must value the good opinion of the rank and file of the Labour movement in all countries. When I returned from America in June 1944 I found in all classes, but particularly in the working class, an immense enthusiasm for Russia. There can be no doubt that this enthusiasm has waned, and is waning with great rapidity.
It appeared desirable to write this, as I had no opportunity of saying it, and as my wife reports that this particular point was not mentioned by any of the deputation. But please do not trouble to reply. I am most sympathetically conscious of the great load that you have to bear.
Yours sincerely,
