The more far-sighted representatives of the British bourgeoisie evidently share my views as to how Britain and France could settle the Italo-Abyssinian conflict while remaining true to their own system. Sir George Paish,

George Paish, English economist at London School of Economics, 1932–38.

for example, unexpectedly called on me today. With a long preamble and a certain secretiveness, he shared with me ‘the thoughts that came into his head’. Italy should be given a colony in Africa to calm her down. Which colony? Paish, for some reason, would like it to be Tunisia. I laughed and asked him why the ‘bone’ he intends to throw to Italy should necessarily wear a French costume?… Paish was a little embarrassed and hastened to add that England should certainly make its own ‘sacrifice’, too. Paish reckons that Italy might be presented with a former German colony in Africa, like Cameroon or Togo. Most remarkable of all, however, was Paish’s final suggestion, ‘of an absolutely confidential and amicable nature’, that I should try to sway the British and French governments in the direction indicated. I laughed and said that it was none of my business. Since it is England and France who have to make ‘sacrifices’, let those Englishmen and Frenchmen who consider these ‘sacrifices’ essential raise the question. Paish had a long think and decided to discuss his plan with Sir Herbert Samuel.

Herbert Samuel (1st Viscount Samuel), Liberal MP, 1902–18 and 1929–35; secretary of state for home affairs, 1931–32; leader of the Liberal Party, 1931–35.