An amateur diplomat alarmed British officials during World War II by proposing that Germany and Britain divide the world between them, according to records released Sunday.

James Lonsdale-Bryans, a fascist sympathizer, traveled to Italy early in the war to meet the German ambassador, Ulrich von Hassell.

“It would appear that Bryans may be taking part in unofficial discussions,” said a Secret Service memo released by the National Archives.

“Bryans’ idea is that the world ought to be divided into two parts. That Germany should be given a free hand in Europe and that the British Empire should run the rest of the world.

“I am not sure that this is a very desirable point of view to publish at the present time.”

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