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1
A
j)0CuMEBT IS THE PROPERTY OF BIS E I M I Q MAJESTY'3 GOYERUHBflg)1
C A B I 1 E T S6 (28). COIGLIJSIGIS of a -£tooting of the Cabinet held in Mr9 ; Chamberlain':s Room, House of Cosisaoiis, 3.W.I. on Friday, 30th June, 1922, at 12, loon.
PRESENT j
'i'HS PRIME MIHIS2ER (Ill THE CHAIR).
(sight Hon., rj?he Earl of Balfour, The Right Hon., Sir Robert Home, I, o.M. y lord T,residB8t of the G.S.E., IC.G., M.P., Chancellor JEILE of the Exchequer, Right Hon., E. Shortt, K.C., The Right Hon., w.3. Churchill, Secretary of State for Home M.'D., Secretary of state for
Kirs. the Colonies. Eight Hon., 'l'ho Viscount Peel, The Right Hon., sir L. worthing ton33., secretary of State for Evans, Bart., G.B.S., M.P*, a. Secretary of state for war. light Hon., Lord Lee of Fareham, The Right Hon., s. Baldwin, M.P., ilo, K.C.B., First Lord of the President of the Board of Trade. ralty. Right Hon., sir A. Mond, Bart., The Right Hon., H.A.L. Fisher,M.P., Minister of Health. President of the Board of Education.
(Right Hon., sir A. Griffith- The Right Hon., T.J. Macnamara, jawen, M.P., Minister of Agrieul- M.P., Minister of Labour. and Fisheries * Sight Hon., B. Munro, E.C., Mo?., She Right Hon., sir Hamar Greenlatary for Scotland. wood, 3art*, K.G., M.P., Chief
Secretary for Ireland. The Right Hon., The Earl of Crawford and Balcarres, K.T., First Conmissioner of Works.
Col., sir M.P.A. Hankey, G.C.B., Secretary, R.B. Eoworth Assistant Secretary.
and 2 9 t h J u n e 28/ 1 9 2 2 . flAlID. (i) W i t h r e f e r e n c e t o C o n f e r e n c e s of M i n i s t e r s h e l d on /
pjie C a p t u r e t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r t h e C o l o n i e s g a v e t h e C a b i n e t if the Pour
Courts, a n a c c o u n t o f t h e l a t e s t d e v e l o p m e n t s i n I r e l a n d . The
p r o l o n g a t i o n o f t h e o p e r a t i o n s b y t h e F r e e S t a t e t r o o p s
a g a i n s t t h e P o u r C o u r t s , c o u p l e d w i t h t h e s u g g e s t i o n t h a t
h a d b e a n p u t a b o u t t h a t t h e F r e e S t a t e Government w a s a c t
i n g a t t h e b e h e s t o f t h e B r i t i s h G o v e r n m e n t , had t o some
e x t e n t r e a c t e d a d v e r s e l y on p u b l i c o p i n i o n . The S e c r e t a r y
o f S t a t e a p p e a l e d t o any o f h i s c o l l e a g u e s who w e r e m a k i n g
s p e e c h e s t o d w e l l on t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y s h o u l d a v o i d a n y
s u g g e s t i o n t h a t t h e F r e e S t a t e Government w a s a c t i n g on
B r i t i s h i n s p i r a t i o n , and t o l a y s t r e s s on t h e f a c t t h a t
t h e y h a v e u n d e r t a k e n t h e t a s k on t h e i r own i n i t i a t i v e . Mr C h u r c h i l l r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h e
a
v.
P o u r C o u r t s had b e e n c a p t u r e d on t h o p r e v i o u s e v e n i n g a n d
t h a t 5 3 p r i s o n e r s h a d been, t a k e n . 27 h a d b e e n k i l l e d a n d
72 w o u n d e d .
1 0 , 0 0 0 r i f l e s , 4 a d d i t i o n a l f i e l d g u n s , a n d o t h e r
r e q u i r e m e n t s f h a d b e e n f u r n i s h e d t o t h e F r e e S t a t e f o r c e s
a t t h e r e q u e s t o f t h e F r e e S t a t e G o v e r n m e n t . At o n e t i m e
a m m u n i t i o n h a d r u n s h o r t , h u t now t h e r e w e r e arr .plo s u p p l i e s .
Mr C h u r c h i l l t h e n r e a d a P r o c l a m a t i o n w h i c h h a d b e e n
i s s u e d b y t h e F r e e S t a t e Government i n r e p l y t o t h e p r o c l a
m a t i o n i s s u e d b y t h e R e p u b l i c a n s . T h i s d o c u m e n t m e t w i t h
g e n e r a l c o m m e n d a t i o n .
T o w a r d s t h e e n d o f t h e m e e t i n g i n f o r m a t i o n w a s
r e c e i v e d o f f u r t h e r d e v e l o p m e n t s i n t h e s i t u a t i o n . a t D u b l i n ,
i n c l u d i n g t h e b u r n i n g o f and a n e x p l o s i o n a t t h e F o u r C o u r t s .
2 i2 'J
lISSIOM OP ( S ) The C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e their; a r e p o r t o f a C o n v e r s a TO
, LEAGUE t i o n h o l d a t 10, Downing S t r e e t , on J u n e 31, 1923, i n NATIONS .
r e g a r d t o t h e a d m i s s i o n o f Germany t o t h e L e a g u e o f
N a t i o n s . A f t e r t h e A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n
A f f a i r s h a d a m p l i f i e d t h e r e a s o n s g i v e n i n t h e a b o v e
r e p o r t i n f a v o u r o f t h e a d m i s s i o n o f Germany to t h e
L e a g u e , t h e C a b i n e t u n a n i m o u s l y a g r e e d -
To a p p r o v e t h e g e n e r a l p o l i c y r e c o m m e n d e d , w h i c h i s s e t f o r t h i n t h e r e p o r t i n t h e fo11owing t e r m s :
( a ) That i t w a s d e s i r a b l e t h a t Germany s h o u l d b e a d m i t t e d a s a Member o f t h e A s s e m b l y a n d o f t h e C o u n c i l o f t h e L e a g u e of N a t i o n s t
( b ) Tha t a d i r e c t p r o p o s a l on t h e s e l i n e s t o t h e F r ench . Government w a s bound t o l e a d t o a r e f u s a l :
( c ) T h a t t h e m o s t - h o p e f u l p l a n a p p e a r e d t o b e t o l e t t h e French. Government know t h a t w e w e r e g e n e r a l l y i n f a v o u r o f t h e a d m i s s i o n o f Germany t o t h e L e a g u e , w i t h o u t e n t e r i n g i n t o d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h them on t h e s u b j e c t :
( d ) T h a t t h e A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s s h o u l d d i s c u s s w i t h t h e B r i t i s h A m b a s s a d o r i n P a r i s , now on a
. i v i s i t t o t h i s c o u n t r y , t h e b e s t m a n n e r o f a p p r o a c h i n g t h e F r e n c h Government on t h e s u b j e c t :
( e ) T h a t t h e A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s s h o u l d a u t h o r i s e t h e B r i t i s h A m b a s s a d o r i n B e r l i n t o e n c o u r a g e t h e German Government t o a p p l y f o r member s h i p o f t h e L e a g u e o f N a t i o n s b e f o r e t h e n e x t m e e t i n g of t h e A s s e m b l y , a n d t o l e t t h e German Government know t h a t t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e B r i t i s h Government on the L e a g u e w o u l d s u p p o r t the a d m i s s i o n o f Germany t o m e m b e r s h i p o f t h e C o u n c i l .
g.m STATES Co) The Cabinet had before them, a Memorandum by the KIP SUBSIDY President of the Board of Trade on the subject of the nil.
United States Ship Subsidy Bill (Paper G.P.-4032). The President of the Board of Trade made a statement
to the Cabinet summarising in detail the proposals eontained in the Memorandum.
The Cabinet were informed that there was opposition to the Bill in the United States of America, and that this opposition would be weakened by any British threat of retaliation.
Considerable discussion took place as to what would be the effect of retaliation, and whether it would affect-British or United States shipping the move adversely. Some stress was laid on the fact that the passage of the Bill would result in retaliatory measures against American shipping being taken in other countries, which measures might operate against British shipping. This would result in chaos similar to that which existed already in regard to the exchanges.
' . The Cabinet agreed —(a) That any policy of retaliation or threat
of retaliation against the United States of America should only be embarked upon with the utmost caution and after exhaustiye enquiry:
(b) That the British Ambassador in Washington (the Right Hon. Sir -Auckland Geddes), who is due to visit this country wit?ain a short time, should be invited to attend a meeting of the Cabinet in order to advise on the question:
(e) That the President of the Board of Trade should be invited to furnish the Cabinet with further information regarding the approximate number of British ships calling at United States ports, and of United
- States ships calling at ports in the British Empire, and also with a rough, estimate of the reciprocal damage which would be inflicted on British and American shipping respectively by the adoption of a policy of retaliation.
S8EBICAIJ (4) With, r e f e r e n c e t o C a b i n e t 55 ( S S ) , C o n c l u s i o n 6 , t h e
A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s r e a d t o t h e
C a b i n e t h i s d r a f t o f a d e s p a t c h , p r e p a r e d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h
t h e C o n c l u s i o n o f t h e C a b i n e t q u o t e d a b o v e , f o r t r a n s m i s s i o n
t o t h e d e b t o r P o w e r s .
H a v i n g r e g a r d t o t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f c o v e r i n g t h e w h o l e
f i e l d , t h e s u g g e s t i o n w a s made t h a t t h e p r o p o s e d d e s p a t c h
s h o u l d s t a t e s p e c i f i c a l l y t h a t t h e B r i t i s h Government w o u l d
b e p r e p a r e d t o f o r e g o G r e a t B r i t a i n ' s r e p a r a t i o n c l a i m s
a s p a r t o f a g e n e r a l s c h e m e f o r t h e l i q u i d a t i o n o f i n t e r -
A l l i e d d e b t s , a n d a l s o t h a t e m p h a s i s s h o u l d b e l a i d i n t h e
d e s p a t c h on t h e f a c t t h a t G r e a t B r i t a i n h a d b o r r o w e d h e r
d e b t t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Government i n o r d e r t h a t s h e
m i g h t b e a b l e t o l e n d i t t o h e r o t h e r A l l i e s .
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d
( a ) To a p p r o v e g e n e r a l l y t h e t e r m s o f t h e d r a f t d e s p a t c h t o t h e d e b t o r P o w e r s , s u b j e c t t o t h e f o l l o w i n g c o n s i d e r a t i o n s :
( i ) T h a t t h e d r a f t d e s p a t c h s h o u l d c o n t a i n a s t a t e m e n t t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t G r e a t B r i t a i n ' s d e b t t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s \?as i n c u r r e d f o r t h e s o l e p u r p o s e o f f i n a n c i n g h e r o t h e r A l l i e s :
( i i ) T h a t t h e C h a n c e l l o r o f t h e E x c h e q u e r and t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War s h o u l d f u r n i s h t h e A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s w i t h m a t e r i a l f o r a p a r a g r a p h i n d i c a t i n g t h e w i l l i n g n e s s o f t h e B r i t i s h Gove r n m e n t t o f o r e g o G r e a t B r i t a i n ' s r e p a r a t i o n c l a i m s a s p a r t o f a g e n e r a l s cheme f o r l i q u i d a t i n g i n t e r - A l l i e d d e b t s :
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r I n d i ( b ) T h a t , t h e S a p r e t j a r y o f S t a t e f o r t h e C o l o n i e s a n d t h e ^
shouXo/uafce t o c o n s u l t t h e Domin ions a n d I n d i a o n t h e p o l i c y e m b o d i e d i n t h e d e s p a t c h , a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y on t h e p r o p o s e d r e f e r e n c e s t o r e p a r a t i o n s , , w i t h a v i e w t o a s c e r t a x n i n g t h e i r v i e w s :
( c ) Tha t when t h e d e s p a t c h w a s t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e d e b t o r P o w e r s , a copy o f i t s h o u l d be s e n t u n o f f i c i a l l y t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Government . ,
9 i
-^ILIAN ( 5 ) The Cabinet were informed that it was highly UlBlTION.
desirable that, if possible, the British. Navy should be adequately represented at the forthcoming opening of the Exhibition at Rio de Janeiro.
The Cabinet agreed —-That His Majesty's Ships "HOOD" and "REPULSE" should be sent to Rio de Janeiro, and that the extra cost of fuel (estimated at £50,000) should be charged against General Savings on Mavy "Votes, and should not be"charged against the Fuelling Vote.
r
6.* With r e f e r ence t o Cabinet B&(22) Minute 3 ,
the Cabinet had be fo r e th&m t h e 116th Conclus ions o f
tho HOSJO A f f a i r s Oosia i t too, Minute 1 , and a l s o a
Memorandum by tho M i n i s t e r of Labour (C *2?*407&) on
Trade Board p o l i o s
The Cabinet ag r eed
( a ) to dofor c o n s i d e r a t i o n of the quest ion u n t i l a f u t u r e Meet ing, i n order t o g i r o saore t ime for t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t he M i n i s t e r of Labour^ Memorandum.
lb) t h a t tho P r e s i d e n t of t he Board of Trade shou ld o a r o f u l l y examine the ilomoraadum from tho po int of view of the t r a d e r and a d v i s e t h e Cabinet a s to i t s g e n e r a l e f f e c t .
ML *?* W i t h r e f e r e n c e t o C a b i n e t 3 4 ( S 2 ) C o n c l u s i o n 5
r e l a t i v e t o t h e s e t t i n g u p o f two C a b i n e t C o m m i t t e e s
t o c o n s i d e r f i g h t i n g S e r v i c e s e s t i m a t e s a n d t h e C i v i l
S e r v i c e e s t i m a t e s f o r 1 9 2 3 / 8 4 , t h e C a b i n e t a g r e e d
t h a t , t h e p e r s o n n e l o f t h e t w o C o m m i t t e e s s h o u l d h e m o d i f i e d h y t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r I n d i a t a k i n g t h e p l a c e o f t h e l l i n l s t e r o f H e a l t h on t h e C i v i l S e r v i c e C o t m u i t t e e , a n d t h e M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h t a k i n g t h e p l a c e o f t h a S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e I n d i a . o n t h e F i g h t i n g S e r v i c e s C o m m i t t e e .
0110 DISEASES 8 * With r e f e r e n c e t o C a b i n e t 1 6 ( £ 2 ) , ( 5 ) ( e )
t h e Cab ine t had t inder c o n s i d e r a t i o n a Memorandum
by t h o M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h (0 t£*4QS9) r e l a t i v e t o
t h e p r e s e n t s i t u a t i o n r e g a r d i n g e p i d e m i c s i n
R u s s i a . Araong o t h e r s u g g e s t i o n s , t h e Memorandum
u r g e d t h a t Grea t B r i t a i n s h o u l d o f f e r t o raafce a
maximua c o n t r i b u t i o n o f £ 3 0 2 , 5 0 0 t o t h e S p i d e m i e s
Fund t o he r a i s e d b y t h e l e a g u e o f S a t i o n s .
SSMV C a b i n e t a g r e e d
t o r e f e r f o r s e t t l e m e n t t h e s u r e s t i o n s c o n t a i n e d i n t h e M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h ' s Memorandum (C*p*4OS0) t o t h e C h a n c e l l o r o f t h e F x e h e c u o r and t h e M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h .
* 6 *
9* The C a b i n e t h a d under eon s i da ra t4 en I f e i i o r s i t d s
by the Pre s i Sent of the Board of Educat ion
and C . i ; . 4 0 6 5 ) on the s u b j e c t of t he r o e o m e a d a t l o n e
conta ined i n t h e ' S e p o r t of tho l o y a l Goaasiosion on
Oxford and Cambridge U n i v e r s i t i e s . The Cabinet were
informed tha t t h o o n l y unavoidable d i f f i c u l t y t o ho
met r e l a t e d to t h e ques t ion of tho/^aneh i s emeut of
women at Cambridge, and t h a t i t was proposed in t h e
e v e n t o f a c l a u s e boiag moved In Commi t t e e of t h e House
making i t sn i n s t r u c t i o n to the Commission t o p rov ide
f o r the admiss ion of women, tha t the M i n i s t e r i n charge
of t h e B i l l should i n d i c a t e t h e re&sozua \*ray t h o Seve rn
meat d e s i r e d to l e a v e t h i s mat te r for t he d e c i s i o n of
t h e U n i v e r s i t y , but announcing a t t h e same time t h a t I t
was. not in tended to put on t h e Government Whips.
Tho Cabinet ag reed
to r e f e r the ques t ion of the a t t i t u d e to bo adopted by the Government r e g a r d i n g the caafraaehlsenont of women a t Cambridge t o the Act ing S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for Fore ign A f f a i r s and the P re s iden t of t he Board of Education f o r d e c i s i o n .
j
(10) The Cabinet took note of the following (a) Committee of,Home Affairs No. 114, held on June IS, 1922, at 4,0 p.m.t
(l) Parliamentary Business. (2) Milk and Dairies Bill. (3) Public Works Loans Bill. (4) SolicitorsT Bill. (5) Law Property Bill. (6) Exports Credits Bill. (7) Burgh Registers (Scotland) Bill. (8) British Nationality and Status of
Aliens Bill. ( A p p e n d i x I . . )
(b) Indemnity (Ireland) Bill, 1922. Mote by the Secretary, Cabinet (Paper CP.-4068) .
(Appendix. .11") .
(e) Conference of Ministers held on June 22, 1922, at 5 p.m.t(l) The Murder of Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson. (3) Measures of Police Protection. (3) Search of Suspects. (4) Precautions in regard to British Troops in
Ireland. (5) Arrest of Suspected Persons. (6) Situation in the Pour Courts in Dublin. (7) Arrangements for the Funeral of Field-
Marshal Sir Henry Wilson. (8) Appreciation of the Sex-vices of the Police. (9) Motor Cars for Ministers.
(Appendix.Ill).
V 9 9 9
\ Whitehall Gardens, S.W.1, June SO, 1922.
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's jGrovgrmfcnt.]
Printed for the Cabinet. June 1 9 2 2 .
S E C R E T .
H.A.C. 114th. Conclusions.
CABINET.
C O M M I T T E E O F H O M E A F F A I R S . 114.
Conclusions of a Meeting of the above Committee, held in the Ministers' Conference Boom, House of Commons, S.W., on Tuesday, June 1 3 , 1 9 2 2 , at 4 P.M.
P r e s e n t : ,
The Right Hon. H. A. L. FISHER, M.P. , President of the Board of Education (in the Chair).
The R i g h t Hon. E. SHORTT, K.C. , M.P. , The Right Hon. S. BALDWIN, M.P. , Pre-Sec re ta ry of S t a t e for Home Affairs. sident of the Board of Trade.
The Right Hon. S i r ARTHUR GRIFFITH-The R i g h t Hon. S i r ALFRED MOND, Bart . , BOSCAWEN, M.P., Minister of Agr icu l ture
M.P. , Minister of Heal th . and Fisheries.
The Right Hon. the EARL OF CRAWFORD The R i g h t Hon. R. MUNRO, K.C. , M.P. , AND BALCARRES, K.T. , F i r s t Commis-Secre ta ry for Scotland. sioner, His Majesty's Office of W o r k s .
The R i g h t Hon. F . G. KELLAWAY, M.P. , S i r LESLIE SCOTT, K .C . , M.P. , SolicitorPostmaster-General . General
The following were also present :
Lieutenant-Colonel t h e Right Hon. LESLIE Sir C. A. MONTAGUE BARLOW, K . B . E . , O. WILSON, C.M.G., D.S .O. , M.P., J o i n t LL .D. , ivl.P., Pa r l i amenta ry Secre tary , Par l iamentary Secre ta ry , Treasury. Minist ry of Labour.
Sir CLAUD SCHUSTER, K . C . B . , C .V.O. , S i r W . A. ROBINSON, K.C.B. , C.B.E. , F i r s t K . C . , Permanent Secre ta ry , Lord Chan- Secretary , Minis t ry of Heal th. (For cellor's Office. (For Conclusion 4 . ) Conclusion 2.)
Sir A . D . HALL, K . C . B . , F .R.S . , Chief Mr. M. L. GWYER, Solicitor and Legal Scientific Adviser , Minis t ry of Agricul- Adviser , Minis t ry of Heal th. (For Conture and Fisheries. (For Conclusion 2.) clusion 2.)
Sir A . V . SYJVIONDS, K . C . B . , Second Secreta ry , Minist ry of Hea l th . (For Conclusion 2.)
Mr. PEMBROKE WICKS, Secretary to the Committee.
Mr. T. ST. QUINTIN HILL, Principal, Cabinet.
Parliamentary Business.
2
1 . The Chairman d r e w a t t e n t i o n to t h e la rge n u m b e r of B i l l s w h i c h w e r e u n d e r cons ide ra t ion e i the r in P a r l i a m e n t or before t h e C o m m i t t e e , in addi t ion t o v a r i o u s o t h e r B i l l s in prepara t ion i n t h e D e p a r t m e n t s , a n d i n v i t e d t h e o b s e r v a t i o n s of t h e Chief W h i p on t h e a m o u n t of p a r l i a m e n t a r y t i m e a v a i l a b l e for the i r d i s c u s s i o n .
Colonel Leslie Wilson s t a t e d t h a t b e t w e e n M o n d a y , 1 9 t h J u n e a n d 3 rd A u g u s t t h e r e w e r e o n l y t w e n t y - e i g h t fu l l p a r l i a m e n t a r y d a y s a n d four hal f d a y s . Of t h e s e a t l eas t e l even n r a s t be a l lo t t ed for S u p p l y a n d 7 for t h e r e m a i n i n g s tages of t h e F i n a n c e Bi l l , w h i c h w o u l d l e a v e n o t more t h a n t e n ful l d a y s a n d four half d a y s for l eg is la t ion . Of t h e l eg i s la t ion , of w h i c h t h e W h i p s had a l r e a d y had. not ice , t h e m o s t c o n t r o v e r s i a l w a s t h e Teachers ' S u p e r a n n u a t i o n B i l l and t h e E c o n o m y Bi l l . If t h e C o m m i t t e e s t a g e of t h e Teachers ' S u p e r a n n u a t i o n B i l l w a s t a k e n on the f loor of t h e House, t h a t w o u l d occupy t w o days , a n d h e hoped it w o u l d be poss ib le for i t to he s e n t u p s t a i r s . I n add i t ion to t h a t , t h e r e w e r e S u p p l e m e n t a r y E s t i m a t e s , t h e r e g u l a t i o n s u n d e r P a r t 2 of t h e Sa feguard ing of I n d u s t r i e s A c t , t h e debate on C a t t l e E m b a r g o , t h e r e p o r t s tages of severa l B i l l s , severa l m i n o r B i l l s n o w in t h e L o r d s , and v a r i o u s o the r m a t t e r s . T h e debate on t h e S u m m e r T ime B i l l w o u l d a l so occupy s o m e t i m e . T h i s w a s a p a r t a l t o g e t h e r f rom d e b a t e s on I r e l a n d a n d t h e proposed l o a n to N o r t h e r n I re land. H e wou ld , the re fo re , ask t h e C o m m i t t e e not to a u t h o r i s e a n y f u r t h e r l eg i s l a t ion except of a c l e a r l y n o n - c o n t e n t i o u s charac te r . W i t h t h e p r e s e n t p r o g r a m m e i t w o u l d a l m o s t c e r t a i n l y be n e c e s s a r y for t h e H o u s e to s i t up t i l l t h e 1 0 t h o r 1 3 t h A u g u s t , u n l e s s some of t h e B i l l s w e r e dropped.
The Chairman d r e w t h e a t t e n t i o n of t h e C o m m i t t e e to the d e s i r a b i l i t j r of pass ing a B i l l s e t t i n g u p a S t a t u t o r y C o m m i s s i o n t o g i v e effect to t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n in Oxford a n d Cambr idge .
The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour d rew a t t e n t i o n t o t h e proposed B i l l to a m e n d t h e l a w re l a t ing to T r a d e B o a r d s , w h i c h w a s a b o u t t o be cons idered b y a S u b -C o m m i t t e e of t h e H o m e A f f a i r s C o m m i t t e e , a n d w o u l d u n d o u b t e d l y be cont rovers ia l .
The President of the Board of Trade s t a t e d t h a t t h e B o a r d of T r a d e h a d one or t w o Bi l l s in t h e House of L o r d s , a n d a p a r t f rom t h a t t h e r e w a s a B i l l r e l a t i n g to W e i g h t s a n d Measures , w h i c h w a s r e a d y for i n t r o d u c t i o n in t h e House of C o m m o n s , but could, if necessa ry , be pos tponed.
The Secretary for Scotland s t a t e d t h a t t h e S c o t t i s h Office w e r e v e r y a n x i o u s t h a t t h e S c o t t i s h A l l o t m e n t B i l l s h o u l d be i n t r o d u c e d i n t h e House of L o r d s t h a t week, and i t w a s essent ia l t h a t i t s h o u l d b e passed if t h e E n g l i s h m e a s u r e became law. T h e r e w e r e c e r t a i n o t h e r S c o t t i s h B i l l s , such a s t h e U n i v e r s i t y of S c o t l a n d Bi l l , bu t t h e y were n o n - c o n t e n t i o u s .
The Minister of Health s t a t e d t h a t t h e M i l k B i l l m u s t be p a s s e d t h a t S e s s i o n in order to p r e v e n t t h e c o m i n g i n t o ope ra t ion of t h e M i l k a n d Da i r i es A c t of 1 9 1 5 , a m e a s u r e w h i c h w o u l d t h r o w h e a v y e x p e n d i t u r e both on t h e E x c h e q u e r a n d t h e local a u t h o r i t i e s .
T h e C o m m i t t e e a g r e e d —
T h a t n o f u r t h e r l eg i s la t ion of a c o n t r o v e r s i a l cha rac te r s h o u l d be a u t h o r i s e d excep t w h e r e i t w a s abso lu te l y n e c e s s a r y for r e a s o n s of s t a t u t o r y u rgency .
Milk and DairiesB i l L
2. T h e C o m m i t t e e had u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n a M e m o r a n d u m by t h e M i n i s t r y of H e a l t h ( C P . 4 0 0 4 ) cover ing a d ra f t of a B i l l
to a m e n d " The M i l k a n d D a i r i e s (Conso l ida t ion) A c t , 1 9 1 5 . " I t appeared t h a t t h e A c t re fe r red t o m u s t come i n t o
o p e r a t i o n n o t l a t e r t h a n t h e 1 s t S e p t e m b e r u n l e s s a m e n d e d b y f u r t h e r l eg i s la t ion , and w o u l d i n v o l v e t h e de ta i l ed c o n t r o l of t h e p r o d u c t i o n of m i l k on f a rms , t h r o w i n g a n a d d i t i o n a l b u r d e n o n t h e f a r m e r a n d c a u s i n g expense t o t h e C o u n t y C o u n c i l s of some t h r e e - q u a r t e r s of a . m i l l i o n p o u n d s per a n n u m on i n s p e c t i n g staff. I t w o u l d a l so e n t a i l t h e i s s u e of a T u b e r c u l o s i s Order p r o v i d i n g for t h e d e s t r u c t i o n of t u b e r c u l o u s c a t t l e w i t h cornp e n s a t i o n t o t h e f a r m e r s , of w h i c h t h e cost t o t h e E x c h e q u e r a n d t o local a u t h o r i t i e s w o u l d a m o u n t t o n e a r l y ,£1,000,000 pe r a n n u m in a few y e a r s ' t i m e . I t w a s also" n e c e s s a r y t o m a k e p r o v i s i o n for t h e e x p i r y of t w o Orders i ssued b y t h e l a t e M i n i s t r y of F o o d r e l a t i n g t o a d u l t e r a t i o n of m i l k a n d l i cences for t h e sa l e of cert i f ied mi lk .
The Minister of Health s t a t e d t h a t i n t h e p r e s e n t f inancia l c o n d i t i o n s i t w a s i m p o s s i b l e to expec t t h e c o u n t r y to t o l e r a t e t h e u n i v e r s a l i n s p e c t i o n of f a r m s w h i c h w o u l d be i n v o l v e d u n d e r t h e A c t of 1 9 1 5 . B y w a y of c o m p r o m i s e he t h e r e f o r e p r e s e n t e d t h e c l a u s e s of an a m e n d i n g B i l l t o t h e fo l lowing e f f e c t : —
(a.) To s u s p e n d o p e r a t i o n of t h e 1 9 1 5 A c t for t h r e e y e a r s f rom t h e 1 s t S e p t e m b e r .
(&.) To give p o w e r to a loca l a u t h o r i t y t o re fuse to r eg i s t e r or r e m o v e f r o m t h e r e g i s t e r a n y cowkeeper , d a i r y m a n or m i l k se l le r w h e r e s u c h a p p e a r s to be in t h e i n t e r e s t s of p u b l i c h e a l t h , w i t h t h e r i g h t of appea l t o a c o u r t of s u m m a r y j u r i s d i c t i o n .
(c.) To e m p o w e r local a u t h o r i t i e s to i s sue l i cences for t h e sa le of cert i f ied mi lk , s u b j e c t o n l y to a bac te r ia l t e s t a n d i n s p e c t i o n of c o w s i n s t e a d of t h e p r e s e n t t u b e r c u l i n t e s t . T h i s p r o v i s i o n w o u l d br ing t h e p r o d u c t i o n of G r a d e A m i l k w i t h i n t h e c o m p e t e n c e of a n y decent f a rmer .
[d.) To m a k e i t a p e n a l offence k n o w i n g l y t o se l l or offer t h e m i l k of a cow suf fer ing f rom t u b e r c u l o s i s of t h e udder .
(e.) To p r o h i b i t t h e add i t ion of co lour ing m a t t e r or w a t e r t o m i l k i n t e n d e d for sa le .
The Minister of Health c o n t i n u e d t h a t i t w o u l d be i m poss ib le s i m p l y t o repea l t h e 1 9 1 5 A c t o w i n g to t h e g rea t c o n t r o v e r s y such a p r o p o s a l w o u l d g i v e r i se to .
The Secretary for Scotland s t a t e d t h a t t h e S c o t t i s h B o a r d of H e a l t h w e r e in a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h e m a i n p r o v i s i o n s of t h e B i l l . H e desired a n a m e n d m e n t of t h e S c o t t i s h c l ause . I t w a s des i rab le t h a t a t u b e r c u l i n t e s t s h o u l d c o n t i n u e i n S c o t l a n d and t h e p r o p o s a l s in t h e B i l l r e l a t i n g t o cert i f ied m i l k w o u l d be r egarded as r e t r o g r a d e . I t w a s a l so p roposed t h a t L o c a l A u t h o r i t i e s p r o v i d i n g m i l k u n d e r t h e p o w e r s of t h e Defence of t h e R e a l m A c t R e g u l a t i o n s s h o u l d be e n t i t l e d t o c o n t i n u e t h e supp ly .
The Minister of Agriculture a g r e e d t h a t s i m p l y to repea l t h e 1 9 1 5 A c t w o u l d be i m p o s s i b l e . A l l t h e m o r e p r o g r e s s i v e f a r m e r s w e r e i n f a v o u r of s u p p l y i n g m i l k of b e t t e r qua l i t y . I t w a s , however , n e c e s s a r y t o p roceed s l o w l y i n order n o t t o d i m i n i s h t h e supply . He h a d n o o b j e c t i o n s t o t h e p r o p o s a l s p u t f o r w a r d by t h e M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h . H e s u g g e s t e d t h a t in C l a u s e 2 (i) t h e p o w e r t o a L o c a l A u t h o r i t y t o r e m o v e f rom t h e r e g i s t e r shou ld be l i m i t e d t o p u r v e y o r s a n d s h o u l d n o t e x t e n d t o c o w - k e e p e r s o r d a i r y m e n .
Public Works Loans Bill.
Solicitors' Bil l .
' .
Law Property Bill .
S o m e d iscuss ion took placo on t h e p o i n t w h e t h e r regis t ra t i o n of cow-keepers w a s n o t a l r e a d y covered b y t h e D a i r i e s Order of 1 8 8 5 .
T h e C o m m i t t e e agreed—
To a p p r o v e t h e Draf t B i l l a n d to a u t h o r i s e t h e M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h to a r range for i t s i n t r o d u c t i o n i n P a r l i a m e n t , sub jec t to t h e a m e n d m e n t of t h e S c o t t i s h C l a u s e in t h e sense desired, by t h e S e c r e t a r y for S c o t l a n d , t h e point ra i sed by t h e M i n i s t e r of A g r i c u l t u r e on C l a u s e 2 (i) to be d i scussed be tween t h e M i n i s t e r of A g r i c u l t u r e a n d t h e M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h .
3. T h e C o m m i t t e e had u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n a n o t e by t h e F i n a n c i a l S e c r e t a r y to the T r e a s u r y ( C P . 4 0 1 5 ) cover ing a draf t of a B i l l t o g r a n t m o n e y for t h e purpose of c e r t a i n local loans o u t of t h e local l o a n s fund.
To approve t h e draf t B i l l a n d to a u t h o r i s e t h e F i n a n c i a l S e c r e t a r y t o t h e T r e a s u r y t o i n t r o d u c e i t i n t h e House of C o m m o n s .
4. T h e C o m m i t t e e had u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h e dra f t of a B i l l t o m a k e f u r t h e r prov is ion w i t h respect to t h e qual i f icat ion of p e r s o n s p ropos ing to become so l ic i tors .
T h e genera l object of t h e B i l l w a s to i m p r o v e t h e a r rangem e n t s u n d e r w h i c h a person w h o des i res t o qua l i fy a s a so l ic i tor s h o u l d obta in h i s educat ion.
T h e B i l l h a d been p repared in c lose c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h and la rge ly a t t h e suggest ion of t h e L a w S o c i e t y w h o s t rong ly s u p p o r t e d i t .
Sir Claude Schuster s ta ted t h a t t h e So l i c i to r s ' M a n a g i n g C le rks ' A s s o c i a t i o n desired to h a v e m o r e sa feguards for t h e m
se l ves in t h e B i l l a n d accordingly t h e i r a t t i t u d e m i g h t g ive r ise t o some d i scuss ion in t h e House of C o m m o n s .
The Chairman enquired, h a v i n g regard to t h e conges t ion of b u s i n e s s in P a r l i a m e n t , w h a t degree of u rgency a t t a c h e d to t h e m e a s u r e .
Sir Claude Schuster s t a t e d t h a t t h e B i l l could n o t be regarded as any m o r e u rgent t h a n i t had been for some t ime, b u t t h e L a w S o c i e t y w e r e p ress ing for i t .
T h e C o m m i t t e e agreed—
(1.) To a u t h o r i s e t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n t o a r r a n g e for t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n of t h e So l i c i to r s Bi l l in t h e H o u s e of L o r d s on t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t it s h o u l d n o t be proceeded w i t h in t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s if t i m e did n o t p e r m i t ;
(2.) T h a t t h e So l i c i to r -Genera l s h o u l d h a v e charge of the B i l l i n t h e House of C o m m o n s .
5. The Solicitor-General ra i sed a po in t in c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the L a w of P r o p e r t y B i l l re ferred to i n h i s l e t t e r t o t h e Cha i rman ( C P . 4 0 0 5 ) , f rom w h i c h i t appeared t h a t in t h e d i s c u s s i o n s on t h e L a w of P r o p e r t y B i l l he h a d p r o v i s i o n a l l y accepted an a m e n d m e n t de le t ing a prov is ion of t h e T r a d e U n i o n A c t , 1871 , b y w h i c h a T r a d e s U n i o n is p rec luded f rom b u y i n g o r leasing
l a n d of a g r e a t e r e x t e n t t h a n o n e acre . H e d e s i r e d t h e a u t h o r i t y of t h e H o m e Af fa i r s C o m m i t t e e to conf i rm t h i s p roposa l .
T h e C o m m i t t e e a g r e e d —
To a p p r o v e t h e ac t ion t a k e n b y t h e S o l i c i t o r - G e n e r a l .
Exports Credits 6. T h e C o m m i t t e e h a d u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n a M e m o r a n d u m Bill- by t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e r e l a t i n g t o a B i l l t o
a m e n d t h e O v e r s e a s T r a d e C r e d i t s a n d I n s u r a n c e A c t s 1 9 2 0 - 2 1 , i n w h i c h i t w a s proposed t h a t t h e d a t e on w h i c h t h e B o a r d of T r a d e m i g h t e n t e r i n t o a n a g r e e m e n t to g i ve g u a r a n t e e s i n r e s p e c t of b u s i n e s s t r a n s a c t i o n s s h o u l d be d e e m e d t o be t h e d a t e on w h i c h t h e g u a r a n t e e s w e r e g iven, w h e t h e r t h e A g r e e m e n t p r o v i d e d for t h e g iv ing of g u a r a n t e e s in r e s p e c t of specific t r a n s a c t i o n s or for t h e g iv ing of g u a r a n t e e s g e n e r a l l y in r e s p e c t of t r a n s a c t i o n s u p t o a specified a m o u n t .
I t a p p e a r e d t h a t t h e q u e s t i o n h a d a r i s e n w h e t h e r t h e d a t e of t h e g iv ing of a g u a r a n t e e s h o u l d be t h e d a t e o n w h i c h t h e D e p a r t m e n t g a v e i t s s a n c t i o n or t h e da te o n w h i c h t h e t r a n s a c t i o n w a s a c t u a l l y made . T h e L a w Officers had adv ised t h a t in t h e case of a s y s t e m of genera l c red i t s t h e d a t e of t h e a c t u a l t r a n s a c t i o n m u s t be t h e o p e r a t i v e da te for t h e p u r p o s e of t h e . A c t . U n d e r t h e p r o v i s i o n s of t h e A c t s n o f resh g u a r a n t e e s could be g iven a f t e r t h e 8 t h S e p t e m b e r . A n a g r e e m e n t t o g i v e g u a r a n t e e s u s u a l l y covered a pe r iod of s ix m o n t h s . C o n s e q u e n t l y a n y t r a n s a c t i o n s t a k i n g place a f t e r t h e 8 t h S e p t e m b e r w o u l d n o t be cove red a l t h o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t m i g h t h a v e agreed t o g i v e t h e i r g u a r a n t e e before t h a t d a t e . I t w a s t h e ob jec t of t h e B i l l t o c u r e t h i s defect . I t w a s u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h e T r e a s u r y c o n c u r r e d in t h e proposa l .
T h e C o m m i t t e e agreed—
To a p p r o v e t h e dra f t B i l l a n d to a u t h o r i s e t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of Trade t o a r r a n g e for i t s i n t r o d u c t i o n i n
, ' - P a r l i a m e n t .
Burgh Registers 7. T h e C o m m i t t e e had u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h e d ra f t of a (Scotland) Bill. B i l l ( C P . 4 0 0 7 ) t o p rov ide fo r t h e d i s c o n t i n u a n c e of B u r g h
R e g i s t e r s of S a s i n e s i n S c o t l a n d a n d for t h e r e g i s t r a t i o n of w r i t s in t h e a p p r o p r i a t e d iv i s ion of t h e genera l r e g i s t e r of S a s i n e s r e l a t i n g t o l and , w h i c h w r i t s , u n d e r t h e p r e s e n t p rac t i ce , a r e recorded in t h e b u r g h reg i s te r s .
T h e C o m m i t t e e agreed—
To a p p r o v e t h e dra f t B i l l a n d to a u t h o r i s e t h e S e c r e t a r y for S c o t l a n d t o a r r a n g e for i t s i n t r o d u c t i o n i n t h e H o u s e of L o r d s on t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t i t shou ld n o t b e proceeded w i t h in the H o u s e of C o m m o n s if t i m e w o u l d n o t p e r m i t .
British Nationality 8. T h e C o m m i t t e e h a d u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n a m e m o r a n d u m and status of Aliens by t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y ( C P . 4 0 1 0 ) cover ing t h e d ra f t of a B i l l t o
' a m e n d t h e B r i t i s h N a t i o n a l i t y a n d S t a t u s of A l i e n s A c t s 1 9 1 4 - 1 8 .
I t a p p e a r e d t h a t u n d e r t h e ex i s t ing l a w o n l y ch i ld ren of t h e f i rst g e n e r a t i o n born of B r i t i s h p a r e n t s in foreign c o u n t r i e s acqu i red B r i t i s h n a t i o n a l i t y . I t w a s p ropos ed i n t h e B i l l t o
1
e n a b l e B r i t i s h n a t i o n a l i t y t o be m a i n t a i n e d t h r o u g h s u c c e s s i ^ g e n e r a t i o n s b y r e g i s t r a t i o n of t h e c h i l d r e n a t b i r t h b y a British consul , a n d b y f u r t h e r r e g i s t r a t i o n on a t t a i n i n g t h e age of 21 of a dec la ra t ion t h a t B r i t i s h n a t i o n a l i t y w a s be ing re ta ined . The c o n c u r r e n c e of a l l t h e D o m i n i o n G o v e r n m e n t s h a d been obtained. T h e r e w a s s t r o n g d e m a n d for t h e B i l l w h i c h w a s noncont rove rs ia l .
T h e C o m m i t t e e a g r e e d — To a p p r o v e t h e dra f t of t h e B r i t i s h N a t i o n a l i t y B i l l , and to
a u t h o r i s e t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y t o i n t r o d u c e i t in the House , of C o m m o n s .
2, Whitehall Gardens, S.W. 1, June 14, 1922.
o
IS IflOJIgfltT IS THE PBDPERTY OF HIS BRITAXTHIO liAJ ES TYT S GO TERETEH T
C A B I N E T . ^ *! P. 4 0 6 8 . *
IlTDEJaHITY (I5ZLLAND j BILL, 1928. (Hote by the Secretary) .
With reference to Cabinet 15(22), Conclusion &, the Prime Minister has approved an arrangement whereby the Indemnity (Ireland) Bill, 1922, (CP.3759) will be introduced by the Secretary of State for War and not by the Chief Secretary for Ireland.
As this arrangement affects a Cabinet decision it is proposed to take note of it at the next meeting of the Cabinet.
(Sgd o) M.P.A. E/EKEY, Secretary to the celi.net
, VJhitshoil OSL d e n s S .vil * , 27th June, 1922
m
*c DOCUMENT IP I HE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT j g
jr. CONCLUSIONS of a Conference of \ixdsters held at 1.0? I/ov ning Street, S*W., on Tmx*s&sqi:7 j?2nd June, 1922, at 5,0 ptrat
? R £ S E N T: -
THE PRIME MINISTER (IN THE CHAIR).
The Right Hons A 3 Chamberlain, ;:he Right Hon. E. Shortt, 11Pn, Lord Privy Seal. i;.C.,M.P., Secretary of State for
"icme Affairs * The Right Hone W.S. CTera^chill, ?he Right Hon. Sir L, Worthington 1J,.P., Secretary of State for Evans, Bart,,M*P. Secretary of t
the Colonies. Svcte for War (For Conclusion 5 ) a
THE FOLLOWING ,7s?E ALSO PRESENT
The Right Hon. Sir John Sir Ernley Black*ell, HoCB., Anderson, K.C.B. , Permanent Assistant (Legal) Under Secretary, Under Secretary, Home Office, torae Office, Brigadier-General Sir W, volonol Sir Borlase Childs, Kcrwcod, K. CCB., Coirimissioner 1,0, MrG.,K.B.S.,C.B.A Assistant of Metropolitan Police. *o--nissioner of Police. Colonel Carter, Scotland Mr Edward Grigs, K.C.V.O., Yard. d.M.G., Private Secretary to the
Prime Minister e
It,-Col. Sir M o P o A . Hankey, G.C.B. f.... * Secretary, Cabinet..
(1) The Conference met at short notice to ^MARSHAL , ' l lSITIlY hlTSQlU discuss a number of" questions arising out of the murder
early in the afternoon, of Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson.
At intervals during the meeting details of the tragedy were received.
ISORES OIF ( 2 ) OSS SOME "SECRETARY informed his colleagues -USE PROTECTION.
(1) That the measures of Police protection for Cabinet Ministers, which had lately been, withdrawn on the easing of the Irish situation, had be en re-instated;
(S) That it had been decided to. close the Galleries of the House'of Commons..
THE PRIME MINISTER suggested that protection ... should also be given to lord Carson and Captain Charles Craig, M.P.
JL4ECH 03? ( 3 ) GEIIERAIi E0RY:r00D and COLOEEL CHILES, in reply SUSPECTS.
to questions, stated that there were about thirty dangerous Irishmen under observation by the police in London. These persons were mainly connected with -the-Irish Self-Determination League, the activities of which were mainly of a propagandist/order and were kept separate from the military activities of the Irish Republican Army. It was doubtful, therefore, whether search of these persons and their premises would throw any light on the murder Search they said would
they present legal difficulties and , / pointed out that the persons whose premises were searched could bring an action against the police for entering their premises without authority-. On the other hand, the Conference were reminded that if the police had good reasons for suspicion, it v;as unlikely that an action
would be brought and much less that the case would go against the police.
During this discussion information from Secret Service sources was communicated by
general Horwood and read out to the Conference by Mr.Churchill. This indicated the probability of the renewal ox activity and outrages by the extreme section of the I.R.A.
The Conference felt that it was vital to follow up Sir Henry Wilson1s murder without a momentTs delay and that no steps should be neglected which might help to clear up the situation.
It was therefore agreed That the police should search the premises of suspected and dangerous persons and should effect arrests in case of discovery of weapons or ar-ything else specially suspicious.
(General KorY/ood and Colonel Childs left to make, the necessary arrangements for this search.)
( 4 ) The Secret Service information referred to above contained a warning as to the danger to British rs/\1 A 4 ^ .... ^. 1 I- i - - - 1- t * -- TN-- I. 1 -* —
S O J L C l J . V . - X o v icuo - iVJ- l i^ d U U U U X l i X f U U J L O . I I .
In view of the situation which might be precipitated by the murder of Melcl-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, the Conference agreed
That the Secretary of State for War should be told that the Prime Minister
and the lord Privy Seal considered that every possible precaution should he ta-ken and that it would be prudent to ocKfine British soldiers in Dublin to barracks the same evening0
(The Secretary was instructed to transmit this information, to the Secretary of State for War by telephonej which he did.
The SSCPJETAEY OP STATE FOR VOB drew the on the telephone
Secretary's attention/to the objections which the
G e n e r a l O f f i c e r Commanding- in-Chief h a d t o
confining troops io b a r r a c k s , a n d asked w h e t h e r
-an o r d e r should "be issued.. THE PRIME MIITI3TER and the 10ED PRTFY" SEAL
advised t h a t i n t h e circumstances an order should he i s s u e d t o t h e General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.
In transmitting this latter instruction, the Secretary understood t h a t troops should be confined to barracks in Belfast as well as in Dublin, and intimated this to the Secretarjr of State for War, confirming the information in a letter.
Half-an-hour later, however, the Secretary of State joined the Conference, and at once raised the point as to whether t h e instructions had been intended to apply to Belfast as well as to Dublin, and the reply was in the negative.)
THE. SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR was present for the discussion recorded in the following Conclusion.
JSSST OP . ( 5 ) Shortly after the withdrawal of General Horwood RECTED pCHS. and Colonel Childs, COLONEL CARTER, who had been sent
T\-rr 4-Vi r^. "v-\ r\1 n s\ 4- /*% a t o s% r*. /-i a u -rn *̂v\4* rt 4,-iVifi'n r\v* a r*o ivttil *v**n r\
men, and had been asked by telephone to attend the Conference on his return, arrived in the Cabinet Room w i t h
t h e documents and with the revolvers which h a d been-used. General Horwood and Colonel Childs, having given their instructions as to the search of the premises of s u s
\ected persons, returned shortly after the a r r i v r . l of Colonel Carter.
COLONEL CARTER then produced the two following documents :
(l) A printed scheme of organisation of the Irish Republican Army, in which' reference
was made to the necessity for an organisation in London;
(2) A typewritten letter (Appendix £$which was read out, She intention of -This letter appeared to he to give to persons planning further outrages,, particulars of the lessons to "be derived from a previous failure. The letter was annotated in a good manuscript handwriting.
The Conference learned Toy telephone that the signature of one of the prisoners to his finger-prints had been made in an educated and good handwriting.
The Conference agreed :ffiiat the various documents produced in the aggregate provided prima facie evidence of the probability of a conspiracy in london which would justify thearrest of the suspected persons, antfyf^fistructed General Horwood and
Colonel Childs to take immediate steps for the arrest of suspected persons.
(Colonel Childs, under instructions from General Horwood, withdrew
to make the necessary arrangements for carrying out this, instruction).
olON ( b ) D u r i n g t h e d i s c u s s i o n of t h e v a r i o u s d o c u m e n t s W POUR .pr--S IW r e f e r r e d t o a b o v e , a t t e n t i o n w a s c a l l e d t o t h e s i t u a t i o n pTilN fv. i n t h e P o u r C o u r t s i n D u b l i n , from w h i c h a r e b e l i e v e d t o
j . 0 . C T i n - C , g ( e m a n a t e t h e p r i n c i p a l p l o t s in S o u t h e r n I r e l a n d , i n $ELAND $JQNED TO $ON. N o r t h e r n I r e l a n d and i n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom, and w h e r e
iffBS TO i t i s r e p o r t e d c o n s i d e r a b l e a r m a m e n t s , i n c l u d i n g g u n s , .S IRISH ^VISIONAL a r e s t o r e d .
The C o n f e r e n c e felt it was i n t o l e r a b l e that t h i s
s i t u a t i o n s h o u l d b e a l l o w e d to c o n t i n u e , a n d t h a t t h e
P r o v i s i o n a l Government o f I r e l a n d o u g h t t o bo p r e s s e d t o
d e a l w i t h t h e m a t t e r . I t was a l s o f e l t t h a t t h e a d v i c e
o f t h e G e n e r a l O f f i c e r C o m m a n d i n g - i n - C h i e f w o u l d b e p a r t :
c u l a r l y u s e f u l i n r e g a r d t o t h i s q u e s t i o n . .
A f t e r c o n s i d e r a b l e d i s c u s s i o n , t h e C o n f e r e n c e
a g r e e d —
( a ) Tha t t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War s h o u l d be a s h e d to i n v i t e t h e G e n e r a l O f f i c e r Commanding-in -Ohie f t o cones o v e r t o London t h e saT-e d a y .
(Sir Edward Grlgg r e t i r e d t o c o m m u n i c a t e t h i s information to the War Office,
,t but r e t u r n e d t o s a y t h a t t h e General Officer Go remanding- in-Chief was believed, to be at E e l l e e k , and it was doubtful if/he could a r r i v e i n London b y t h e following morning.)
( b ) T h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t s f o r t h e C o l o n i e s s h o u l d d r a f t a letter to Mr C o l l i n s , s t a t i n g that information had been received c o n n e c t i n g the a s s a s s i n s of Field. Marshal S i r Henry Wilson with the I , R , A . and. r e v e a l i n g t h e exisfcence of a definite.conspiracy; that t h e r e was reason t o believe that preparat i c n s were being made among the irregular elements of t h e I . R . A . to attack the l i v e s and p r o p e r t y of B r i t i s h siibjects b o t h i n England and i n U l s t e r ; that the a m b i g u o u s position of t h e I . R . A . c o u l d no l o n g e r b e i g n o r e d and t h a t i t w a s i n t o l e r a b l e that Mr Rory 0 r C o n n o r s h o u l d , be p e r m i t t e d to r e m a i n w i t h h i s f o l l o w e r s in open r e b e l l i o n i n t h e h e a r t o f D u b l i n i n p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e C o u r t8 of J u s t i c e , a c t i n g a s a c e n t r e of m u r d e r organisa t i cn and. p r o p a g a n d a . The l e t t e r should c o n t a i n a demand t h a t t h e Irish Provisional Government, w h i c h w a s now supported by tue declared w i l l , o f t h e I r i s h people, should b r i n g t h i s s t a t e o f a f f a i r s to an e n d .
^ InjCriON ( b ) D u r i n g t h e d i s c u s s i o n o f t h e v a r i o u s documen t s ipHB POUR
ipfps IN r e f e r r e d t o a b o v e , a t t e n t i o n w a s c a l l e d t o t h e s i t u a t i o n 3LIN..
i n t h e P o u r C o u r t s i n D u b l i n , from w h i c h a r e b e l i e v e d t o g G.O.C-*in-C, IRELAND e m a n a t e t h e p r i n c i p a l p l o t s i n S o u t h e r n I r e l a n d , i n
jjMQNED TO *ID0N. N o r t h e r n I r e l a n d and I n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom, and w h e r e FffER TO i t i s r e p o r t e d c o n s i d e r a b l e a r m a m e n t s , i n c l u d i n g g u n s ,
I S IRISH $VISIONAL a r e s to r e d . hVERKMENT.
The C o n f e r e n c e f e l t i t was i n t o l e r a b l e t h a t t h i s
s i t u a t i o n s h o u l d b e a l l o w e d t o c o n t i n u e , and t h a t t h e
P r o v i s i o n a l Government of I r e l a n d o u g h t to be p r e s s e d t o
d e a l w i t h t h e m a t t e r . I t was a l s o f e l t t h a t t h e a d v i c e
o f t h e G e n e r a l O f f i c e r C o m m a n d i n g - i n - C h i e f w o u l d b e p a r t i
c u l a r l y u s e f u l i n r e g a r d t o t h i s q u e s t i o n . .
A f t e r c o n s i d e r a b l e d i s c u s s i o n , t h e C o n f e r e n c e
a g r e e d —
( a ) Tha t t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War s h o u l d be a s k e d t o i n v i t e t h e G e n e r a l O f f i c e r C o m m a n d i n g - i n - C h i e f t o come o v e r t o London t h e saT ' 'e d a y .
( S i r Edward G r i g g r e t i r e d t o commun i c a t e t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n t o t h e War O f f i c e ,
, t b u t r e t u r n e d t o s a y t h a t t h e G e n e r a l O f f i c e r C o m m a n d i n g - i n - C h i e f was b e l i e v e d to b e a t E e l l e e k , and i t was d o u b t f u l i f h e c o u l d a r r i v e i n London by t h e f o l l o w i n g m o r n i n g . )
( b ) T h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t s for- t h e C o l o n i e s s h o u l d d r a f t a l e t t e r t o Mr C o l l i n s , s t a t i n g t h a t i n f o r m a t i o n had b e e n r e c e i v e d c o n n e c t i n g t h e a s s a s s i n s o f F i e l d M a r s h a l S i r Henry W i l s o n w i t h t h e I 0 R , A . and r e v e a l i n g t h e e x i s t e n c e o f a d e f i n i t e . c o n s p i r a c y ; t h a t t h e r e was r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e t h a t p r e p a r a t i p n s w e r e b e i n g made among t h e i r r e g u l a r e l e m e n t s of t h e I . R . A . t o a t t a c k t h e l i v e s and p r o p e r t y of B r i t i s h s u b j e c t s b o t h i n E n g l a n d and i n U l s t e r ; t h a t t h e a m b i g u o u s p o s i t i o n of t h e I , R , A . c o u l d no l o n g e r b e i g n o r e d and t h a t i t was I n t o l e r a b l e t h a t Mr Rory 0 r C o n n o r s h o u l d be p e r m i t t e d t o r e m a i n w i t h h i s f o l l o w e r s i n o p e n r e b e l l i o n i n t h e h e a r t of D u b l i n i n p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e C o u r t s of J u s t i c e , a c t i n g a s a c e n t r e o f m u r d e r o r g a n i s a t i c n and p r o p a g a n d a . The l e t t e r s h o u l d c o n t a i n a demand t h a t t h e I r i s h P r o v i s i o n a l Government , w h i c h w a s now s u p p o r t e d b y t h o d e c l a r e d w i l l o f t h e I r i s h p e o p l e , s h o u l d b r i n g t h i s s t a t e o f a f f a i r s to a n e n d .
(Mr C T ^ i r e h i l l w i t h d r e w t o d r a f t - t h i s l e t t e r . The t e x t of the ' l e t t e r wa s . s i g n e d by t h e P r i c e M i n i s t e r a t a b o u t 3 p . m . , and. d e s p a t c h e d by s p e c i a l m e s s e n g e r t o D u b l i n t h e s a n e e v e n i n g . The l e t t e r i s r e p r o d u c e d i n . A p p e n d i x l g ; .
$ANGFMENTS ( '/ ) The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War s a i d h e h a d a s c e r f R THE FUNERAL : ' ' % FIELD MARSHAL, t a i n e d t h a t Lady W i l s o n w o u l d l i k e h e r l a t e h u s b a n d to [R HENRY WILSON.
b e b u r i e d i n S t . P a u l ' s C a t h e d r a l . . F i e l d M a r s h a l S i r Henry
W i l s o n w a s , o f C o u r s e , e n t i t l e d t o a F i e l d M a r s h a l ' s
f u n e r a l . . I f t h i s wa s a g r e e d t o , t h e Ad j u t a n t - G e n e r a l
wou ld a p p r o a c h t h e Dean of S t . P a u l ' s a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e .
The C o n f e r e n c e a g r e e d — ( a ) T h a t F i e l d M a r s h a l S i r Henry W i l s o n s h o u l d
be g i v e n a S t a t e F u n e r a l a t S t . - P a u l ' s C a t h e d r a l , and t h a t "uhs S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War s h o u l d make t h e n e c e s s a r y a r r a n g e ment s :
( b ) Tha t a s s o o n a s t h e Dean of t h e C a t h e d r a l g a v e h i s c o n s e n t , t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r War s h o u l d p a k e p u b l i c t h i s a r r a n g e m e n t .
PEREC I AT ION ( fj ) The C o n f e r e n c e a g r e e d — IP THE SERllCfiS OF THE T h a t t h e Hone- S e c r e t a r y s h o u l d be a u t h o r i s e d '0LIOE . t o a r r a n g e f o r t h e C h i e f C o m m i s s i o n e r o f
P o l i c e t o p u t i n P o l i c e O r d e r s , on b e h a l f of t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r and t h e C a b i n e t , t h e i r a p p r e c i a t i o n of t h e g r e a t c o u r a g e and d e t e r m i n a t i o n shown by t h e P o l i c e i n t h e a r r e s t o f t h e m u r d e r e r s o f F i e l d M a r s h a l S i r Henry W i l s o n .
(-During t h e m e e t i n g , - i n c o r r e c t i n f o r m a t i o n was r e c e i v e d t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t one o f t h e P o l i c e m e n who h a d . b e e n s h o t h a d s u b s e q u e n t l y d i e d , and t h e C h i e f Commis s i one : o f P o l i c e was a u t h o r i s e d to s end to t h e w idow , on b e h a l f of t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r and t h e C a b i n e t , a s u i t a b l e e x p r e s s i o n o f c o n d o l e n c e and a p p r e c i a t i o n o f h e r h u s b a n d ' s b r a v e r y . - L a t e r i n t h e e v e n i n g , h o w e v e r , i t t r a n s p i r e d t h a t t h e i n f o r m a t i o n on w h i c h t h i s d e c i s i o n was b a s e d was i n c o r r e c t . )
^CP-CARS : \Q ) At t h e c o n c l u s i o n of t h e m e e t i n g , t h e Home S e c r e t a r y MINISTERS.
m e n t i o n e d t h a t i t w o u l d b e n e c e s s a r y , i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h
. t h e s chemes o f p r o t e c t i o n fo r M i n i s t e r s , t o p r o v i d e a
c e r t a i n number w i t h m o t o r - c a r - v ich w o u l d i n v o l v e c e r t a i n
e x p e n d i t u r e .
The Home S e c r e t a r y w a s a s k e d t o a r r a n g e t h i s - ., w i t h t h e T r e a s u r y . *nrtshall G a r d e n s , S . W . 1 , . . . .
Juhe 2 2 , 1 9 2 3 .
APPENDIX I.
^SH^iJ^iMJL^^^-SS-X.?^ Prison b y W,R. ' U t e r his^Arreijb. """""
Ai Chara 21. Lrhomme qui porte cette missive est u n e c i i e p e r s o n n e l de moi. II m ra oblige euelquefois
^espere cue ma mere le recevera Men... S'il vousd.it.
quolcuechose d'une mode de faire communication avec moi. Croyez vous a lui. Donnez-lui un Cead Mile Pailte. Ponncz-lui un, bon "pourboire
Regarding my accident the misfortune of falling into
an unre-connoitred trap w a s due (1) to circumstances which
upset original plans - s e e 1 1 0 o 4 4 - a n d ( 2 ) to lack of time to
recover owing to H.Q. not having sent me address of Staff
Meeting 11 days previ ousljr, and hence giving me notice only
on Saturday previous to the stunt. ' I hope you Jll tell the
Boys and particularly those who were with rne - I was covered like a rat in a trap. ^-However on Hie road I put down my hand and drew, I had an old fashioned gun. You had to cock it and then fire. I had only a second. I thought I was cock-pressed - nothing went off. I pressed again and again. Meanwhile two Autos were blazing at me a t 5 yards away, I then saw what was wrong, I was 1/2 cocked. I just lifted my thumb to cock, and was struck. My hand was paralised and thumb lifeless. The others had to g e t out and were scattered, A bullet grazed my neck. a moment more and I was done. A third man was on my right and I bolted zigzagging. I put the gun which was damaged in a bush in the front garden. It's no loss to the Pads. I couldnH use it. By hiding in t h e fields I dodged motorbyke searching on road home and so not off. iTo,61 had the w. He got out and left it. I am afraid that he was
/fuddled
f u d d l e d a n d no u s e f o r q u i c k t h o u g h t . Young w i l l t o o k c o v e r
f i r s t i n s t e a d of c l e a r i n g . Then l i e b o l t e d , b u t o t h e r s h a d
come up a n d h e was d o n e . He t o l d me h a d o v e r l o o k e d t h a t t i l l
t o o l a t e . A l l of u s w e r e q u i t e c h e e r f u l . I d i d n ' t know
t h a t Aff wa s o n l y 17. He i s a good k i d . You w i l l s e e f rom
t h i s t h a t I d i d n * t f i r a a t a l l . He h a s a good h e a r t , b u t h i s
n e r v e w a s n o t r u i t e q u i c k e n o u g h . I hope he h a s l e a r n t
c a u t i o n . T. w o u l d h a v e g o t o f f b u t f o r t h e C u t t e r s h e h a d .
Orders w e r e t o c l e a r y o u r h o u s e of a l l s t u f f and s o n g s e t c .
when g o i n g o u t . H i s s l a c k n e s s m e a n t h i s r u i n . He w a s i n
good s p i r i t s , l a u g h i n g a l l t h e t i m e . P o i n t ou t t h e l e s s o n s
o f t h e a c c i d e n t t o t h e L a d s i I hope t h e y c lonH b l a m e me .
T h e r e w a s no p r e p a r a t i o n of d e f e n c e w i t h u s , b u t I s u p p o s e
t h e s o l i c i t o r xvas u n a b l e . The yj.ry w e r e p r e j u d i c e d or t h e y
w o u ! d n T t h a v e g o t P . g u i l t y . I s a w s e v e r a l p o i n t s t h a t
ough t t o h a v e b e e n p u t u p f o r h i m and n o t e d them down f o r t h e
a p p e a l . He w o u l d n H h a v e a p r j e a l e d b u t t h a t I made h i m .
He d i d n ' t c a r e 2d. He s a n g " E e l l j r of K i l l a n ! T e v e r y d a y .
T e l l 44 somebody l e f t a P . C . f rom me t o a f r i e n d " o f mine named
B y r n e i n a c o a t i n my d i g s . He s h o u l d n r t h a v e done ,
n o t h i n g w a s ' f o u n d on or a b o u t my c l o t h e s or room. A P . C .
l i f t e d £1 o r £2 I b e l e i v e . I came h e r e w i t h o n l y two a s an
e s c o r t , on f o o t t o t h e s t a t i o n . I h e a r d was g o i n g a n d s e n t
w o r d . I s u p p o s e t h e T r u c e p r e v e n t e d a r e s c u e . I l e f t
t h e o t h e r s w e l l and c h e e r f u l , b u t h u n g r y . H o w e v e r , h e r e
y o u g e t p l e n t y of food DCG. I g o t w o r s e a f t e r a r r e s t a t
f i r s t . I h a v e h a d p e r m i s s i o n t o g e t J. down a t my own
e x p e n s e .
I am i n t h e same h e a l t h a s I w a s . a t a r r e s t , b u t a b i t
w e a k e r . Am now i n h o s p i t a l w a i t i n g f o r Pad t o s e n d J .
P a t h e r P . i s i n h o s p i t a l . T h e r e i s t r o u b l e h e r e o v e r d i s
t i r x c r t i o n s b e t w e e n u s f rom Gt. 3r. - B a r r e t t , who i s a n o l d
/ man
man,McCann a n d H a r d i n g f rom M a n c h e s t e r and m y s e l f - London
a n d t h e l a d s f rom home. The l a t t e r h a v o won s e p a r a t e
t r e a t m e n t . We w a n t e d i t a n d s t r u c k . 1 am 0,K, now i n
h o s p i t a l , "but t h e o t h e r s a r e h a v i n g a r o u g h t i m e . Get
t h e I r i s h S o v i e t i e s t o s e n d t h e s o l i c i t o r , Mr. McD, t o u s .
T e l l h i m t o a s k f o r M a u r i c e Cvc\., S i o r d a n , B a r r e t t , MoCann,
H a r d i n g and m y s e l f . Crew i s O . C . h e r e . H i o r d a n w a n t s t o
s e e a b o u t a p e t i t i o n a b o u t h i s h e a l t h . We a l l w a n t
p r i s o n e r s o f w a r t r e a t m e n t a n d i m m e d i a t e l y \
a b o l i t i o n of d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n u s of G t . B r , a n d t h o s e
f r o m E i r e - The s o o n e r h e comes t h e b e t t e r a s McO. and
H a r d i n g h o v e h a d a r o u g h t i m e f o r A, w e e k s . L e t t h e I r i s h
i n London b a c k ITS u p . P l e a s e t e l l the- l a d s t h a t i f t h e y
o r i t i c i s o my m e t h o d s e t c . I. was r e a l l y q u i t e u n f i t p h y s i c a l l y .
My d e b i l i t y c a u s e d b y my n a s a l d i s e a s e u s e d t o make my h e a d
a c h e - a n d s t i l l d o e s - a n d I c o u l d n H c a r r y on . I g o t
a b s e n t m i n d e d , a n d my e n e r g y w a s s a p p e d . I mean t t o r e s i g n
i n a n y c a s e . And t h e s l a c k n e s s of some f e l l o w s made my
job more d i f f i c u l t . Most of t h e l i d s w e r e good and w o r t h y
of t h e P o r c e . " But a f e w w e r e w a s h o u t s . Only t h e d a y
b e f o r e my a r r e s t , when I ought t o h a v o been f r e e t o da my
w o r k , I h a d t o h u n t up a,, w a s h o u t who h a d d e s e r t e d and d i s
raiss h i m . He w a s Smi th Ho, 9. I c a n t o l l y o u how
r o t t e n I f e l t t h e w e e k I was a r r e s t e d . 3d I h o p e "the L a d s
w i l l b e l i e v e t h a t h a d I b e e n O.E. I w o u l d h a v e clone much
b e t t e r . Howeve r , I t h i n k I c a n s a y t h a t I d i d n * t do
b a d l y a n d t h a t I l e f t a n o r g a n i s e d a n d p a r t l y t r a i n e d u n i t
b e h i n d . My b i k e I l e f t a t 2, W h i t e h o r s e L a n e . E, C r o y .
I s e n t word b e f o r e a b o u t t h i s , b u t I r e p e a t i t , I h a d a p u n c
t u r e and p u t i t i n a p r i v a t e h o u s e - t h e 75 b u s e s p a s s t h e
rd o o r , now t h a t b i k e i s w o r t h new o u t e r c o v e r s . I t s a good
b i k o . Bu t s e l l t h e . o t h e r - a d v e r t i s e - l e t i t g o a t 35 g u i n e a s . A l s o h o l d a n o t h e r s t e a p a c a o r two now w h i l s t y o u
/ c a n
I
can., But 1-g- dozen more W,xs or preferably. Auto..- . Ho move out of date. Insist on a proper system.' You arc entitled to meeting. Bow Is the time to reorganise-.-- If four of you go and see the Big Fellow he would -arrange an election. And recruits *- let 44' o.nd I concentrate on the district..' around. Ho;i and so on, The pB-ce Smith comes, from needs attention. Put 84 and 85 there permanently. Of course these are suggestions only. I now - rank as, Private-. I shall write more later', - Follow out our old ,plan of ,cai'opaAgn' if things recommence'. Then all willr"be 0,Eo N.B. the stunt we reconnoitred last spring - you wore on a common I think, would get us prisoners of war treatment. If you
can communicate "with me, send Some -,.. and Exiles and C J , ............. I shall send to Mr. B*s friend, C — ; rdy-.. Tell him to he prepared to hear from me, I heard s/bout that curious explosion.
5 o chara, (Signed) LIAM
j&m&mx. II
Downing Street, 22nd June, 1922
Dear Mr. Collins, : I am desired by His Ma, jo sty1 s Government to inform
you that documents have been found upon the murderers of
Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson which olearly connect tho assassins with the Irish Republican Army, and which further reveal the existence ox a definite conspiracy against the peace and order of this country. Other Information has reached His ' ajesty's Government, showing that active preparations are on foot among the irregular elements of the 1,-H.A. to resume attacks upon the lives and property of British subjects both in England and. in Ulster. ' She ambiguous position of the Irish Republican Army can no longer be ignored by the British Government, Still less can Mr. Rory 01 Connor .be permitted to remain with his followers and his arsenal in open rebellion in the heart of Dublin in possession of the Courts of Justice, organising and sending out from this centre enterprises of murder not only in the area of your Government but also'in the sis Northern Counties and in Great Britain. His majesty'1^ Government cannot consent to a continuance of this state of things, and they feel entitled, to ask you formally to bring it to an end forthwith. Assistance lias o?:. various oc card, ons been given to Dominions of tho Empire in cases where their authority was challenged by rebellion on their soil; and His Majesty^ Government are prepared to p^ace at your disposal the necessary pieces of artillery which may be required, or
/otherwise
otherwise to assist sou as may bo arranged. But I an to inform jou that they regard the continued toleration of this rebellious defiance of the principles of the Treaty as incompatible with its faithful execution. They feel that now you are supported by the declared will of the Irish People in favour of the. jreaty, they have a right to expect that the necessary action will be taken by your government without delay.
Yours etoo
f Sgd .) David Lloyd ueorgc .
otherwise to assist jou as may bo arranged. But I am to inform J JDU that they regard the continued toleration of this rebellions defiance of the principles of the Treaty as incompatible with its faithful execution^ They feel that now you are supported by tho declared will of the Irish Poo pic in favour of the -Jreaty,. they have a right to expect that the necessary action will be taken by your government without delay.
Yours etoc
(Sgd.) David Lloyd deo
