MINUTES of a Meeting held, at 10 Downing Street, S.W. , on
Friday, June 8, 1917, at IE.30 a.m.
Present:
THE PRIME MINISTER (in the Chair)
The Rt. Hon. the Earl Quraon of
Kedles ton, K.G.,G.0.S.I. ,
P P T
R
The Rt. Hon. the Visoount
Milner, G.C.3., G.C.M.G.,
J
\
The Rt Hon.G.N.Barnes, M.P. ,
I
I
\
]
The following were also present:The Rt. Hon. Lord Robert Cecil, "CO. , M.P.,
Acting Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs.
The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Derby, K.G., G.C.V.0., C-fe,
B V B T O . , Chief of the Imperial Jeneral Staff.
Lt.-Gen. the Rt. Hon. J.C.Smuts, K.C.,
Minister for Defence, Union of South
Africa.
3-eneral Sir H.H.Wilson, K.G.B., D.S.O.,
Maj.-Gen. Sir G.M.W.Macdonogh, K.C.M.G.,
Director of Military Intelligence.
Lt.-Gol. Sir M. P. A.Hankey, ICG.3.,
Secretary.
1.
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(roi%ir;ixoa)
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1
I enclose a copy of my draft Minutes of the Meeting of the War
Cabinet held on Monday morning, September 24.
You will re.Hfe.mfcex
1
$ ­
that the Prime Minister decided that there should only IbeJ at sjihgle
ts
manuscript record of this meeting, and that I should show the! - '
d
to you and to him.
copy back
i' .
raf
s
I should be glad if you would let me have the
as soon as you can with any remarks.
I hope you will "be able to read it, for, to tell the truth, I
had to write it in the train, this "being the only opportunity I
have had since the meeting on Monday.
Yours sincerely,
t
.
SECRET
WAR CABX.NET 238 (a)
i
Minutes of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 10
Downing Street, S. W. on Monday, September 24th 1917 at 12-30 p
PRESENT.
The Prime Minister.
(In the Chair).
The Rt. Hon. A. Bonar Law,
M.P.,
The Rt. Hon. Sir E. Carson.
K.O., M.P.,
The Rt Hon. the Earl Curzon
of Ke dies ton, K.G., C C S . I . ,
G C I * E.
The Rt. Hon. G.M. Barnes, M.P
The Rt. Hon. the Viscount Milner,
G. C B. , G. C M. G. ,
Lieut-Gen. The Rt. Hon. J.C.
Smuts, X. C ,
THE E01L0 //IMG WERE ALSO PRESEJMT: 1
The Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour,
0* M. , M.P. ,Secretary of State
for Foreign Affairs.
Lieut-Col. Sir. M.P.A.Hankey K.G.B.,
Secretary.
S E C R E T .
Sept. 28, 1917.
Many thanks for the return of Monday's Minutes with correc­
tions.
I now enclose my Notes of the discussion on the same sub­
ject at Thursday's meeting, and should be much obliged if you
would run your eye through them and mark anything which you
think incorrect.
I enclose an envelope for return as before.
Yours sincerely,
i
V
The Rt. Hon.
A.J.Balfour, 0.M
M.P
Foreign Office.
THIS DOCUMENT IS THE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT
SECRET.
WAR
CABINET, 259(a)
Minutes of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 10 Downing Street,
on THURSDAY, September 27th.1917 at 12-30 p.m.
PRESENT.
The Prime Minister.( Inthe chair)
The Right lion . The Earl Curzon of () The Right Hon. G.N.Barnes, M.P.
Kedleston. K.G. G.C.S.I. G.C.I.E.()
The Right Hon. The Viscount Milner () Lieutenant-General The Right Hon,
G.C.B. G.C.M.G.
. ()
J.C.Smut3, K.C.
()
( ) The Right. Hon. Sir Edward Carson
K. C . M . P .
The following were also present:
The Right Hon. A.J.Balfour, O.M. M.P.
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir M.P.A.Hankey, K.C.B.
Secretary.
GBiCGLAT^D TO THE KING AND THE WAR CABlPiET
Cypher telegram to- His H&tjest?/1s Hopr e gentatives at;
purls
Toicio
petrograd
herne
CdpenhagOT:
Ghristiania
Washington
Home
The Hague
Madrid.
Stockholm
Foreign Office, October Oth, 1917 o
Li'^ -Mr jSoc-Tet^
At my request
s
the $nbassa&oro of prarics,America,
and japan, with t h e chargo duufalros of Italy and
liussiaj net me at, the Foreign office on the 6th ins-tant,
I then reud out to tiiein Sir Arthur Hardinge's­
private telegram conveying the German suggestion that
there should be a discussion between Germany and Britain
on the subject of peace
I pointed out that, so far a s
0
1 was aware, this was the first proposal on this subject
made through a regular diplomatic channel
s
and
0
though
it was extremely doubtful whether it was more than a
diplomatic move intended rather to divide the A l l i e s
than to end t h e war. His Majesty's Government did not
think it could be either ignored or met with a blank
refusalo
such a policy would discourage the peace
party in Germany, and stimulate the pacifists in Entente
countries,
on the other hand, thp answer given to
Germany must bo of a kind which would put an end to the
idea that the Aliias could be dealt with separately.
It seemed to His Majesty s Government that, by far the
1
best way of meeting the tactics of $iplomatdsts like
Herr von Kuhlmann was the method of absolute frankness
and collective action, and this method, we proposed to
adopt.
I thereupon read to the Foreign Representatives
the answer I proposed to send to Dir Arthur Hardinge
in Liadrid, couched in the following terms;­
"His Majesty's Government would be prepared to
receive any comtunication that the German Government may
desire to make to them relating to peace, end to discuss
it with their Allies "
c
I supplied a copy of this telegram to each of the
Foreign Representatives, v.ho were, I gathered, in
complete agreement with the views I had expressed,
and with the course which His majesty*s Government
proposed to take,
M* Cambon added that, In his opinion, it would be
impossible to continue the war with vigour, or even
to continue it at all, if the powers oiice. reached the
stage of discussing terms round a table,
it followed
that3 before this 'stage of "round-table discussion" was
reached, we must be fully assured that the main objects
of the Allied efforts had already been secured.
As far as I could judge this view commended itself
to the other Allied Representatives who were present.
ON HIS MAJESTYS SERVICE.
3S
U
S E G. R E T.
WAR CABINET Jd81 ,
a
MINUTES OF A MEETINGS held at 10 Downing Street, S.W. ,
on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1917, at 12.30 p.m.
Present:
TIB PRI ME MINISTER (in the Chair).
The Bt. Ron the Earl Curzon of
d The Rt. lion. G.N.Barnes, M.P.
Kedles ton, K. Gr. , G. C . S. I. , G. C -1. E - I
0 Lieutenant-general the Rt. Hon
The Rt. Hon. the Viscount Milner,
j J.C.Smuts, ICC.,
n
or . fi
O.
o
.D . ,
nJTn . wre. i.ir*
* or.
K J
,
The Rt. Hon. A. 3onar Law, M.P.
5 The Rt. Hon. Sir E. Carson,
j K.G., M.P.,
J
The following were also present:The Rt. Hon. A.J.3alfour, O.M. , 1,1.?.,
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs:
The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Derby, ICG-.,
G.C.V.O., C.3., Secretary of State for
War:
General Sir W.R.Robertson, G.C.B., K.G.V.O.,
D.S.O., Chief of the Imperial General Staff:
The Right Hon. Sir Eric Geddes, K.C.B., LLP.,
First "Lord of the Admiralty:
Admiral Sir J.R. Jelliooe, G.C.B., O.M. , G.G.V.O.
First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff:
Sir
Rear Admiral/'//.R. Hall, K.G.M.G., Director of
Intelligence Division, Admiralty:
Lt.-Col. Sir M.P.A.Hankey, K.C.B., Secretary,
War Cabinet;
Mr. Thomas Jones, Assistant Secretary, War Cabinet:
Captain the Hon. '.'/. Ormsby-Gore, LI.P., Assistant
Secretary, War Cabinet.
\
\
c
i/^a '0^.bik.CT
s. j
LLEETIxiG held at 10 Downing' Street, S. W. on the
ix-Q. January j.91b, at 12-w-J "o.ni.
I
n
The Price Minister( In the Chair
-he ivt. h o n . Tne
viscount iii.ilner,
-ne itt. xion. u.xs. B a r n e s ,
^L.jd* ,
TJhebBt. £ion. Sir;. S.
Carson,
j-.ieuten".nt-General The lit. H o n .
v . w o b in u. tj 3 , xL. C. j
ift.6 xvt* xion. -uOrd A o h e r t C e c i l ,
K . G . , M.i?.', M i n i s t e r of B l o c k a d e
lieutenant-colonel Sir M..P.A. Hankey, K.;C.B. ,
Secretary.
(This Document is the Property of His Britannia
Majesty's Government).
S E C R E T .
WAR CABINET 318a.
^
MINUTES of a Meeting held at 10 Downing StfWt, S.W. , on
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1918, at 12.30 p.m.
Present:
THE PRIME MINISTER (in the Chair).
\ '
j
The Rt. Hon the Earl Curzon of
f The Rt. Hon. A. Sonar Law, M.P.,
j
\
Kedleston, K.G. , Gr.C.S.I. ,
Gr.C.I.E.,
\ Lt.-Gen. the Rt. Hon. J. C. Smuts ,K.
The Rt. Hon. the Viscount Milner, ] The Rt. Hon. Sir E. Carson, KO.,MP.,
ur . nKj
ri
.Q O
iff
. , C j rn. w .
IV1O. or . ,
X
The Rt. Hon. G.N.Barnes, M.P.,
I
J
I
1,
The following were also present:The Rt. Hon. Lord Robert Cecil, I C C , M.P. ,
Acting Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs:
Lt.-Col. Sir M.P.A.Hankey, K.C.B., Secretary,
War Cabinet.
SECRET
WAR CABINET 535 (a ).
Jtfa***^* ^-MEETING held on the 18th January 1918 at 4-30 p.m.
at 10 Downing Street, S.W.
PHESEtlT.
The Prime Minister (In the Chair).
The Rt. Eon. The Earl Curzon
of Kedleston, E.G., G.U.S.I.,
G.U.X.E.,
-Lieutenant-General The Rt.
, J.C. Smuts, E.C.,
Eon
The Rt. Hon. The Viscount Milner,
G.C.B., G.C,ivlG.,
The Rt. Hon. G*1J. Barnes, M.£. ,
The Rt. Hon. A. Bonar Law, M.P. ,
The Rt. Hon. Sir. E. Carson,
E. G. , M.P.,
a
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir M.P.A. Hankey, E.C.B., Secretary.
Decypher.
Sir H. Rumbold (Bernej
January llth*1918*
D* 5ol5 p m . January 12th. 1918-,
f
R
s
8 a*m. January 13th.1918c
NO. 39c
Vsr^ee
cre t
iA
Monsieur cle Skrzynski went to Geneva yesterday
to see Lost or parodi.
He said there were many points
in speeches of Mr, Lloyd George and president Wilson
on which His Majesty's Government and Austro"Hungarian
Government were in agreements
Besides these a certain
number of questions were touched on in such a manner
as readily to lend themselves to a discussion with a
good chance of success.
The British Government must
not consider comments of certain Vienna newspapers on
Mr. Lloyd George's speech as representing Count
Czern.ln' s views or those of majority of population.
f
A portion of Aust.ro-*Hungarian press as well as almost
the whole of German press is in the hands of manu-f act­
urers of munitions who cry out as soon as they see
a glimmer of peace on the horizon,
ivL de Skrynski
went on to say Count Czern:*n had had to struggle like
a Titan at Berlin in order that his "No annexations"
formula (? should he, omitted) adopted.
The day on whic
Kuehlmann had made hisfdeclarat-lciu in this respect
Count Hertling had hesita-ted to leave his house not
knowing whether he would he hissed in the streets of
Berlin,
One part of Germany is absolutely mad with its
warlike ideas and annexationist aims hut there is a
very
very strong pacifist movement and its influence will
certainly make itself felt.
In order to obtain adherence of Germany to his
formula Count Czernin had had to consent to send some
Austro-Hungarian regiments to the Western front so as
to show solidarity of Austro-German alliance.
This
military assistance amounted to two or three regiments
which are already in or about to go to Belgium.
Mons. de Skrynski considers it desirable that Entente
i"ress in its comments should not exaggerate
importance
of this military assistance which had been exacted by
Germany as a sort of ransom.,
Austro-Hungarian Govern­
ment think as far as Turkey is concerned a formula
mighit be found which whilst giving large measure of
autonomy to (?Syria)^ Palestine^Mesopotamia and Arabia
might be considered by Turks as not implying any loss
of territory.
Finally M. de Skrynski said that Count Czernin
would be ready to come to Switzerland to meet Mr.
Lloyd George if latter agreed to an interview.
.q E
K
TAR GA31HET 331a.
MINUTES of a Meeting held at 10 Downing Street, S..V., on
MONDAY, JANUARY 28, 1918, at 11 a.m.
T
Present:
THE PRIMS MINISTER (in the Chair)
5 Lien tenant- General the Rt. Hon.
j
J.G. Smuts, 1.0. ,
J
f The Rt. Hon. G.N.Barnes, M.P.,
?he Rt. Hon. the Viscount Milner, f
i '5. C . B . , G. C .M. G. ,
f XfesxKixxl&HXX&ixxg
The Rt. Hon. the Earl Curzon of
Oodles ton, K.G., G.C.S.I.,
.5.C.I.E.,
5
She Rt. Hon. A. Bonar Law, M.P. , S
!.
,
5
he following were also present:
The Rt. Hon. the Earl of Derby,
X.G., G.C.V.O., C.B., Secretary
of State for War:
Lt.-Col. Sir M.P.A.Hankey, K.G.B.,
Secretary, War Cabinet.
T?
p
T? "i?
fjy
WAR CABINET
MINUTES OP A MEETING OP THE WAR CABINET, HELD AT 10, DOWNING ST.
S.W. ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1918, at 1 p.m.
Present:
THE PRIME MINISTER (in the Chair).
The Rt. Hon. the Earl Curzon
of Kedleston, X.G., G.C.S.I.,
G.C.I.E.,
The Rt. Hon. A. Bonar Law, M.P.,
5 The Rt. Hon. G.N.Barnes, M.P.,
j
1
j Lt.-Gen. the Right Hon. J.C.Smuts,
j K.C.,
J
\
The following were also present:The Rt. Hon. A.J.Balfour, O.M., M.P.,
Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs:
Mr. Philip Kerr,
Lt. Col. Sir M.P.A.Hankey, K.C.3.,
Secretary, War Cabinet.
(This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's
Government).
WAR CABINET 557a.
Minutes of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 10, Downing
Street, S.W. on Friday, 1st. March, 1918, at 4.15 p.m.
The Prime Minister (in the Chair)
The Rt. Hon. the Earl Curzon of
Kedleston, X.G.,G.C.S.I.,G.C.I.E.
The Rt. Hon. G. N. Barnes, M.P
The Rt. Hon. the Viscount Milner,
G.C.B.,G.C.M.G.,
Lieutenant-General the Rt.Hon.
J. C. Smuts, K.C.
The Rt. Hon. A. Bonar Law, M.P.
THE FOLLOWING WERE ALSO PRESENT:
The Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour, O.M.,
M.P., Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs.
The Rt. Hon. W. Long, M.P.,
Secretary of State for the
Colonies.
The Rt. Hon. lord R. Cecil, X.C.,
M.P., Minister of Blockade.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir M. P. A. Hankey, X.C.B.,..Secretary.
GO
MOST SECRET.
Prime Minister.
I think ycu may like to see these draft manuscript
Minutes.
Please return injenclcsed envelope.
March 2, 1918.
s s G H E T.
Marbh ii, li;18.
Dear Mr. Balfour,
As I nnderybooo the ratner vague decision after the very dip­
car si Ye discussion yesterday, you -yere to send a telegram to sir \
Horace Bumbold at Serne stating that:­
*'.'.'e are waiting further news''
!
in regard to the mattery raised in his Telegram flo. £75 (K)
of
February 23;
I am only seeping a manuscript copy of the Minutes of this
Meeting,, and shall not circulate the decision.
You can, of course,
see the manuscript if you wish.
Y ours since r e1y
e
sd. M.P.A.Hankey.
The Et. Hon..
Poreign Office.
A '^ A
f. /*
WAR CABINET 259a.
- Jiiiiiiwiiii*i^iifiiuiri^^iwiiwiiiiiiiWT***'
Minutes of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 10, Downing
Street, S.W". on Tuesday, 5th. March, 1918, at IE.30 p.m.
PRESENT.
"he Prime Minister (in the Chair)
The Rt. Hon. the Viscount Milner,
G.C.B..G.C.M.G.
The Rt. Hon. A. Bonar law, M.P.
The Rt. Hon. G. N. Barnes, M.P.
lieutenant-General the Rt. Hon.
J. C. Smuts, K.C.
*
THE FOLLOWIMG WERE ALSO PRESENT:-
The Rt. Hon. A. J * Balfour, O.M.,M.P.,
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
The Rt. Hon. Lord Robert
Cecil, K.C.M.P., Minister of
Blockade.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir M. P.A.Hankey,. K.C .B., .. . seeretajy.
SEC
RE
T
6
WAR
CABINET.360.A.
Minutes of a Meeting held at 10,Downing Street,S.W. on WEDNESDAY,
6th March,1913 at 12.30.p.m,
PRESENT:
THE PRIME MINISTER (in the Chair).
The Rt Hon The Earl Curzon of .
Kedleston, K.G. ,G,C-.S.I. ,G.C.I.S. ,
The Rt Hon.A,Bonar Law,M,P.,
The Rt Hon.The Viscount Milner,
Lieutenant-General The Rt Hon,
J . C Smuts ,K C, ,
0
a
The Rt Hon.G N Barnes,M P.,
s
0
D
THE FOLLOWING TORE ALSO PRESENT:­
ft
1* /
General Sir H H W i l s o n , K C B
K.C.M.G.,D.S,0. Chief of the
Imperial General Staff.
0
a
;
0
B
0
The Hon,Sir Eric Drumrnond,K.C.M.G.,
C.3.,(Por Minute 5 ) .
Mr Philip Kerr,
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir M.P.A.Hankey,K.C.B.,.,.Secreta
WAR CABINET S62a.
Minutes of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 10, Downing Street,
S.W. on Fruday, 8th. March, 1918, at 1 p.m.
The Prime Minister (in the Chair)
The Rt. Hon. the Earl Curson of
Zedleston, K.G.,G.C.S.I.,G.C.I.E.
The Rt. Hon. G. K. Barnes, 111.2.
The Rt. Hon. the Viscount Milner,
G.C.B.,G.C.M.G-
Lieutenant-General the Rt. Hon.
JWC.Smuts, K.C*
The Rt. Hon. A. Bonar Law, M.P.,
THE FOLLOWING. WERE ALSO PRESENT:-
The Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour, 0.M-,
M.P., Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir M. P. A. Hanke£, K.C.B
Secretary.
(This Document is the Property of His $ritannic
Majesty's Government).
S E C R E T .
PERSONAL NOTE BY THE SECRETARY OE A DISCUSSION
WITH REGARD TO THE LETTER FROM THE AUSTRIAN
EMPEROR, PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OE THE FRENCH
GOVERNMENT, APRIL 1918.
This discussion took place on April 15,
1918, as part of War Cabinet Meeting 391.
(The Secretary was instructed to make no official
Minutes of the Meeting, "but, for purposes of re­
cord, it has been felt advisable to prepare this
Personal NoteTl
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs asked the War
Cabinet what answer he should give to the following question
which was to be put to him that afternoon by Mr. Outhwaite:­
"To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs
whether at the time, a year ago, of the refusal of the
British Government to consider peace negotiations, and
in particular the proposals of the Kerensky Government,
he was aware that President Poincare was in possession
of a letter from the Emperor Karl of Austria stating that
he would support, by every means and use all his person­
al influence with his Allies, the French just claims re­
garding Alsace-Lorraine, and affirming that the sover­
eignty of Belgium should be restored, as also that of
Serbia with an outlet to the sea provided"
In the discussion that ensued the Prime Minister related
that he had met M. Ribot at Folkestone, and M. Ribot had shown
him the letter now revealed by M. Clemenceau.
The Prime Minister
had made a copy of the letter in pencil which he was asked by M.
Eibot to show to no one but the King.
The two Prime Ministers
had agreed that nothing could be done without consulting the
Italians.
At St. Jean de Maurienne, on April 19th, the Prime Minister­
had met Baron Sonnino, who flatly declined to negotiate with
Austria and regarded the letter as a trick.
The letter, howeveijY
was not a trick, and the Prime Minister read a translation in .J
1.
which the words "just claims" represented the French original
"justes revendications .
!T
The copy of the original French docu­
ment was then read by Mr. Bonar Law.
The War Cabinet then discussed the advisability of publish­
ing in this country and in France a facsimile of the original
document, with a view to sowing seeds of discord between Austria
and Germany.
They were, however, of opinion that it would be a
mistake to insist too much on an occurrence revealing the Emperor
Karl as a traitor to his Allies and a liar to us, as this would
finally close any avenue to a separate understanding between the
Allies and Austria.
The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs said that he
thought the best plan would be to return an answer in the House
' of Commons in the following sense:That His Majesty's Government, after giving careful
thought to the matter, considered that it was not in
the public interest to have any public discussion on
the subject.
The Minister for Blockade pointed out that, while the answer
would be sufficient for the moment, it must be anticipated that
the question would be pressed further at a later date.
The ques­
tion might then be asked why, if His Majesty's Government had
known of the offer, they had not pursued it.
To this it was pointed out the answer was that we had pur­
sued it up to the point of Italian refusal to cooperate.
Our­
reason, therefore, was loyalty to our Allies.
Another sanswer was that Emperor Karl had been offering what
belonged not to him but to his Allies.
This second point was reinforced by a second letter, dated
May 9th, from Emperor Karl to his brother-in-law, Prince Sixte of
Bourbon, a,translation of which, as well as of the first letter,
made byfcJao-JUufcteg,had been left by him with the Prime Minister'
Secretary.
The War Cabinet approved the answer
proposed by Mr. Balfour.
Whitehall Gardens, S.W.,
April 15, 1918.
WINDSOR
CASTLE.
21st. April, 1918.
My dear Hankey,
It was most kind of you, in the midst of your
overwhelming work, to send the interesting Memorandum
of Mr. Bonar Law's Budget proposals as approved at the
War Cabinet on Friday evening.
Of course the money has to he found, but i t
strikes me that the new taxation will hit very hardly the
man with an income just over £500.- a year with children
to educate and the D r i e s
of living just double what it
is in times of peace.
The King thanks you very much for this informa­
tion.
I return the Memorandum
herewith.
Yours very truly,
ATA**
L ieut enant-0olonel
Sir Maurice Hankey,
K.C.B.
Secretary to the War Cabinet.
^1/