Channon recorded (26 March) that the mooted Polish guarantee was unwise as it might "stiffen the resistance" of the Poles as had happened with the Czechs the previous year. This very likely reflects Butler's views, as he wrote that summer that he "never liked the Polish Guarantee. It gave Russia just the excuse not to defend herself against Germany." The guarantee was finally given on 5 April, and that day Channon recorded that Butler was irritated that Halifax had not consulted him over the matter. Butler thought Benito Mussolini's seizure of Albania in (7–12 April 1939) would destabilise the Balkans; Chamberlain told him not to be so silly and to go home to bed. However, Channon also recorded (13 April) that Halifax was aware that Butler still had the Prime Minister's ear and was still encouraging him to conciliate Hitler.