d than when it is being
wound by a defeated nation after a great war.

Bavaria is encouraged to think of herself as a separate country.
French policy foreshadows an independent State of Southern Catholics.
With that in view a French minister plenipotentiary has been sent to
Munich, and we British have just followed the French suit by appointing
our diplomatic representative also. Bavaria is not supposed to enter
into foreign relationships except through the Reich. To this Bavaria
has remained loyal. She has stood by the Reich even when the Reich has
protested an inability to control her. The appointment of the French
plenipotentiary was, therefore, taken as a calculated provocation and
the minister was accorded a very hostile greeting in the Press. This
annoyed him much, and he put it down, not to the general unpopularity
of French policy, but to the secret intrigue of the British who, as it
happens, are unusually intimate with Munich editors. The rivalry of
English and French in diplomatic action is as marked here as it is in
other capitals of Europe. Here, also, the natural antipathy which
French chauvinism arouses locally is thought to be aggravated by
British Intrigue. Our diplomats are given credit for being much more
active than they are.

As I have already intimated, France favours a mergence of Austria and
Bavaria in one State as a solution of Austria's economic problem.
Bavaria would like Austria to be added to Germany as a whole. It would
give the Catholic party a stronger voice in the Reich. But Bavaria has
up till now steadfastly refused to sacrifice the advantages of
belonging to the German confederation. British policy is not averse
from Austria joining Germany, but no active steps have been taken to
facilitate such an amalgamation. The treaty of Versailles practically
inhibits it, and Britain remains passively loyal to that inhibition.
The time may come when the French rivalry may enkindle our people to
action, but it will be because the questions at issue are not brought
forward into the light of ordinary publicity and discussed openly and
frankly. Secret diplomacy among allies means secret quarreling. Open
diplomacy, when _both_ sides are open, is much more conducive to
lasting loyalty and friendship.

I met in Munich several influential Bavarians, thanks to the
hospitality and keenness of our Consul-General there, Mr. Smallbones.
There was no ill-feeling of any kind towards English peo