Brailsford published an article entitled ‘The Nations of Europe Are Caught in a Cleft Stick’ in the Reynolds Newspaper of 12 April.

The article appears as an attachment in the diary.

Brailsford also sent a letter to the editor of the New Statesman that was published on 9 May. He developed the same thoughts, came out strongly against the League of Nations and its reform, against collective security, Stresa, and the whole wide world. He drew the following conclusion: ‘Those who believe in collective security – economic and military – must maintain a vigilantly disinterested attitude for as long as we live under the power of a capitalist government. When a socialist government comes to power, it will be necessary to make efforts to build, together with the Soviet Union as our main partner, a federation of states that are either socialist or close to socialism.’

B.’s literary-political statements astonished me so greatly that I decided to talk to him. Today we sat in the winter garden, drank tea and had a frank talk. I listened to B. and my heart sank…

Here was a clever, educated, brilliant representative of the English socialist intelligentsia, I thought. He has so much knowledge! He has a great store of observations and political experience! His remarks, appraisals and descriptions are subtle and shrewd! And the result? Confusion, lack of faith in the future, and pessimism. Even the best representatives of English socialism have a poor understanding of the mechanics of current events. When, criticizing B.’s position sharply, I set out the idea of a ‘peace front’ led by Britain, France and the USSR as the sole practical solution to the current situation, he objected: ‘But it boils down to support for British and French imperialism, towards which I have no sympathy whatsoever!’

I argued that the cause of peace is the chief responsibility of every socialist in the present-day situation, and that the participation of the USSR in the ‘peace front’ leadership is the best guarantee that the front will not degenerate into some aggressive ‘alliance’ of the old type. B. listened to me attentively and, it seemed, sympathetically, but in the end uttered mournfully: ‘If only the USSR were ten years older! If only the socialist member of this trio really were stronger than the capitalist members! Then it would be much easier to take a decision.’

He paused, as if trying to sum up our conversation, and suddenly said: ‘If I were able to earn my living in some other way, I would quit “political journalism” now… I once had a good knowledge of Greek … One can live off it quite well in England – should I try?’

My heart just sank. It’s complete capitulation! A flight of panic in the face of the imperialist Moloch!