SIR NEVILE HENDERSON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23916, 18 September 1939, Page 11

SIR NEVILE HENDERSON

FORMER AMBASSADOR IN BERLIN “STRONG SILENT MAN” Sir Nevile Henderson in the last year has become probably the best known member of the diplomatic corps because of his onerous task as Ambassador in Berlin. He is a bachelor, and at the age of 57 can look back on 35 years in the diplomatic service, including appointments in Russia, Japan, Italy, Egypt and Turkey. An old Etonian, he is a tall man of soldierly appearance. “The strong, silent man of diplomacy.” is one description which has been applied to him. He is strict and efficient and his diplomatic manner is direct and brusque. It is said that he nearly wrecked his career when as Third Secretary in the British Embassy in St. Petersburg (as it was then named) he spotted a strange figure prowling in the gloom of the embassy grounds one evening and brought him down with a Rugby tackle. Dragging the “spy” to his feet Sir Nevile found himself looking into the wrathful face of his chief, the Ambassador. Another story told of Sir Nevile, which is certainly in character and deserves to be true, is that during the crisis of last September, his icy calm during an interview with the German Foreign Minister so annoyed Von Ribbentrop that he lost his temper and remarked: “Anyway, England’s ruled by Jews.” Sir Nevile picked up his hat,

gloves and stick. “At least,” he said, before turning to go, “ we’re ruled by gentlemen,”