The high commissioners are both interesting men. Jordan is a large, broad-shouldered, awkward bear who resembles a London policeman. Not without reason. He did indeed work as a policeman in London in his youth, before emigrating to New Zealand, joining the Labour Party and making his career. He has a harsh, loud voice, and uses popular sayings; a bit naive, but honest. At the League of Nations, he often ruffles feathers among the British delegation. Te Water is a different type. A tall, elegant and intellectual Dutchman with ‘soul’ and ‘sentiments’. A handsome face, or a pleasing one at any rate. A glaring contrast to Jordan.

We talked, of course, about the current situation. I emphasized the colonial issue. Emotions ran high. Te Water made a really passionate speech… in favour of granting colonies to Germany – only not South-West Africa. The latter must not be touched. South Africa is the sole seat of European culture on the African continent. It must be guarded and protected against dangers. Therefore, South-West Africa cannot be yielded to Hitler, because this would threaten Kaapstad [Cape Town]. Why not give Hitler something in some other place, in equatorial Africa, for instance? Colonies are not a commercial enterprise for Hitler, but a matter of honour. The Boers, who have been through the mill of military defeat and national oppression, understand the German mentality perfectly well. If the British had not displayed great political tact in 1926 by recognizing the equality of South Africa with the mother country and all other dominions, South Africa would be outside the Empire today. Similar tact must be shown towards Germany. The feeling of bitter resentment will then vanish from its mentality, and it will become less aggressive.

A dispute broke out. Adams and Macmillan objected vigorously. Salter also objected, but rather cautiously. I remarked that one should not bracket a rapacious imperialist power with a non-imperialist small country that presents no danger.

Te Water was highly agitated. I asked him whether the British government had conducted any exploratory talks with South Africa about returning South-West Africa to Germany. He answered in the negative. Salter inquired what South Africa would do if Britain agreed, at another Munich-like conference, to give South-West Africa to Germany. Te Water argued that this could not happen. Salter made his question more specific: ‘Let’s assume that at a Munich Conference No. 2 the British government gives its consent to the transfer of South-West Africa to Germany and promises not to give any support to South Africa during the implementation of such an agreement. What stand will South Africa take in this case? Will South Africa fight on its own?’

Te Water was confused and probably somewhat frightened by such a prospect. He just said: ‘In that case, an absolutely new situation would emerge, and no one can say in advance what my government would do under such circumstances.’

After lunch I went to see Masaryk and congratulate him on the twentieth anniversary of independence of Czechoslovakia – which finds itself, alas, in a grievous plight. Masaryk told me that he had sent in his resignation, but that he would remain in office until 1 January at the request of the Czechoslovak government (‘And not a day longer!’ Masaryk added). He would live in London and occasionally travel to America, where he had spent many years as an émigré. He has already rented a small flat in Westminster and is going to write, lecture and broadcast on the radio.

‘I’ll survive one way or another,’ he added. ‘I’ll exploit the good name of my father. And it is a good name! It means something today. There are fewer and fewer good names left in the world.’