(c) crown copyright
Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/9
Image Reference:0008
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majestys Government.]
I"rinted for the War Cabinet.
February
1919.
SECRET.
'
,
27
W A R CABINET, 5 2 1 .
Minutes
of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 10, Downing
Tuesday, January
28, 1919, at 3D P.M.
Street, S.W., on
Present:
The R i g h t Hon. A . BONAR L A W , M.P. (in the Chair)
The R i g h t Hon. S I R E . GEDDES, G . C . B . ,
G . B . E . , M.P.
T h e Right Hon. A. CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.
The following were also present:
The
Right
Hon.
the VISCOUNT MILNER,
G.C.B., G.C.M.G., Secretary of State for
the Colonies (for Minute 1).
The Right Hon. W . LONG, M.P., First
Lord of the A m i r a l t y (for M i n u t e 1).
The R i g h t Hon. C. ADDISON, M.D., M.P.,
The R i g h t Hon. W . S. CHURCHILL, M.P.,
Secretary of State for W a r (for Minute
i). ;.
,
,
:
The Right Hon. the E A R L OF READING,
G.C.B., K.C.V.O., H i s Majesty's H i g h
Commissioner and Special Ambassador
to the United States of America.
'
President, Local Government Board (for
Minute 1).
The R i g h t Hon. R. MUNRO, K.C., M.P.,
Secretary for Scotland.
General S I R H. H. WILSON, G.C.B., D.S.O.,
Chief of the Imperial General Staff (for
Minute 1).
The R i g h t Hon. J . I. MACPHERSON, M.P.,
W.
Chief Secretary for Ireland (for Minute
1)-
MACQONOGH, K.C.M.G., C.B., A d j u t a n t -
The R i g h t Hon. S I R R. S. HORNE, K . B . E . ,
Lieutenant - General
S I R G.
M.
K.C., Minister of Labour.
General to t h e Forces (for Minute 1).
S I R H. L. HEATH, K . C . B . ,
The R i g h t Hon. S I R A. STANLEY, M.P.,
Vice-Admiral
T h e R i g h t Hon. H. A. L. FISHER, L L C ,
Major-General B . F . BURNETT-HITCHCOCK,
M.V.O., Second Sea Lord (for Minute 1 ) .
President, Board of Trade.
M.P., President, Board of Education.
C.B., D.S.O., Director-General of Mobili­
sation (for Minute 1).
S i r S . KENT, K . C . B . , Controller-General of
Civil Demobilisation and Resettlement
(for Minute 1).
M r . A . C. T. BECK, M.P., P a r l i a m e n t a r y
Secretary, Ministry of National Service
(for Minute 1). .
Major-General S I R F. H. S Y K E S , K.C.B.,
C.M.G., Chief
Minute 1).
of the A i r Staff (for
Mr. THOMAS JONES, Acting
B r i g a d i e r - G e n e r a l F . 0 . FESTING, C.M.G.,
Air Ministry (for Minute 1).
Secretary.
Captain L. F. BURGIS, Assistant
Colonel L. STORR, C B . , ^ . sistant
Secretary.
Secretary.
Demobilisation.
Armies of Occupa­
tipn, Overseas and
Home Garrisons.
1. T H E W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m b y t h e
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r , c o v e r i n g t h e R e p o r t of a C o m m i t t e e
h e h a d a p p o i n t e d t o c o n s i d e r t h e i m m e d i a t e p r o v i s i o n of t h e
a r m i e s of o c c u p a t i o n r e q u i r e d i n t h e s e v e r a l t h e a t r e s of w a r
a n d of t h e h o m e a n d o v e r s e a s g a r r i s o n s , a n d a p p e n d i n g a l e t t e r
received from S i r A u c k l a n d "Geddes ( G . T . - 6 8 7 4 , A p p e n d i x ) ,
a n d a l s o a Note ( G . T . - 6 7 0 9 ) b y t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e L o c a l
G o v e r n m e n t B o a r d on t h e above M e m o r a n d u m .
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s a i d t h a t h i s o w n M e m o ­
r a n d u m , t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e R e p o r t of t h e A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a l ' s
Committee,, which h a d been c i r c u l a t e d to t h e Cabinet, represented
the considered views of-his Department. H e h a d j u s t returned
from France where he h a d submitted the proposals contained in
t h e R e p o r t to t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r , a n d t h e s e p r o p o s a l s h a d Been
d i s c u s s e d a t one o r t w o c o n f e r e n c e s a t w h i c h t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r ,
t h e C . I . G . S . , a n d he h i m s e l f h a d been p r e s e n t , a n d some of w h i c h
h a d b e e n a t t e n d e d b y S i r E r i c G e d d e s . T h e r e s u l t of t h e s e con­
f e r e n c e s w a s e m b o d i e d i n a Note to w h i c h he p r o p o s e d to r e f e r
later. H e would now merely say t h a t the P r i m e M i n i s t e r h a d
s u g g e s t e d no s u b s t a n t i a l m o d i f i c a t i o n s of t h e W a r Office p r o p o s a l s ,
the p r i n c i p l e u n d e r l y i n g which r e m a i n e d u n c h a n g e d . W h a t the
W a r Office "required w a s 1,200,000 m e n d u r i n g 1 9 1 9 , w h o s e
s e r v i c e s w o u l d h a v e to be r e t a i n e d u n d e r c o m p u l s i o n , for t h e follow­
i n g p u r p o s e s : (a) to o c c u p y t h e R h i n e b r i d g e h e a d s a l l o t t e d to
u s , a n d ( 6 ) t o t i d e over t h e p e r i o d u n t i l w e c o u l d r a i s e a v o l u n t a r y
a r m y of sufficient s i z e t o m e e t o u r r e q u i r e m e n t s . T h e p o s i t i o n
t o - d a y w a s t h a t , a p a r t f r o m t h e old " R e g u l a r s , " w e h a d m e n of
t w o c a t e g o r i e s , (i) those w h o h a d u n d e r t a k e n to s e r v e for t h e
d u r a t i o n of t h e w a r , a n d (ii) those w h o s e s e r v i c e s c o u l d be r e t a i n e d
f o r a p e r i o d of s i x m o n t h s a f t e r t h e c e s s a t i o n of h o s t i l i t i e s . A t a
c e r t a i n m o m e n t , w h i c h m i g h t come u n e x p e c t e d l y , w e m i g h t
s i m u l t a n e o u s l y be d e p r i v e d of o u r m i l i t a r y f o r c e s a l l over t h e
w o r l d , — F r a n c e , I n d i a , E g y p t , P a l e s t i n e , & c , a s w e l l a s those r e ­
q u i r e d for p u r p o s e s of h o m e d e f e n c e a n d to s u p p o r t t h e c i v i l
p o w e r in c a s e of n e e d . I n t h i s u n c e r t a i n i n t e r v a l i t w o u l d be
i m p o s s i b l e for u s to c r e a t e a v o l u n t a r y force of sufficient s i z e .
S o f a r , o n l y 1 3 , 0 0 0 m e n h a d v o l u n t e e r e d for f u r t h e r m i l i t a r y
s e r v i c e . W e n e e d e d a t h o m e 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 m e n , w h i c h n u m b e r m i g h t bo
, d i v i d e d a s f o l l o w s : 4 5 , 0 0 0 i n I r e l a n d ( i n s t e a d of 1 1 0 , 0 0 0 a s m a i n ­
t a i n e d a t p r e s e n t ) , 3 0 , 0 0 0 i n E n g l a n d a s a r e i n f o r c e m e n t for t h e
I r i s h g a r r i s o n s , 3 5 , 0 0 0 to m a i n t a i n o r d e r a t h o m e ( w h i c h w a s a
s m a l l e r n u m b e r t h a n w e h a d h i t h e r t o r e g a r d e d i t n e c e s s a r y to
k e e p u p ) , 1 0 , 0 0 0 for c o a s t a l a r t i l l e r y a n d a n t i - a i r c r a f t p u r p o s e s ,
17,000 i n D i s p e r s a l S t a t i o n s , 16,000 i n P a y Offices, 3,000 i n
R e c o r d Offices, 1 0 , 0 0 0 to look a f t e r h o r s e s , a n d 10,000 to look
after M e c h a n i c a l Transport, 20,000 for draft-finding units, a n d
2 8 , 0 0 0 to g u a r d e n e m y p r i s o n e r s . A s r e g a r d s t h e A r m y oni t h e
R h i n e , the^ P r i m e M i n i s t e r h a d a g r e e d t o our r e d u c i n g t h e n u m b e r
of o u r d i v i s i o n s for t h i s p u r p o s e from 15 to 1 0 , a n d h a d i n s t r u c t e d
F i e l d - M a r s h a l H a i g to- s e c u r e M a r s h a l F o c h ' s a p p r o v a l of t h i s
reduction.
T h e F r e n c h w e r e m a i n t a i n i n g no l e s s t h a n 50
d i v i s i o n s , a n d t h e A m e r i c a n s w o u l d c e r t a i n l y h a v e m o r e t h a n 10
divisions in France.
W e were, therefore, in comparison with
these two co-belligerents, doing rather- less t h a n our share.
M r . C h u r c h i l l p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e a c t u a l a r m y t o be m a i n t a i n e d
o v e r s e a s a n d a t h o m e w a s a m a t t e r for t h e d e c i s i o n of t h e Govern­
m e n t ; i t w a s for h i s D e p a r t m e n t to p r o v i d e t h e m e n . w h i c h t h e
G o v e r n m e n t d e c i d e d w e r e n e c e s s a r y . I n a n y c a s e , h o w e v e r , oom­
p u l s i o n w o u l d be n e c e s s a r y to b r i d g e t h e g a p b e t w e e n t h e p r e s e n t
t i m e a n d t h e p e r i o d w h e n a v o l u n t a r y a r m y .of sufficient s i z e
w o u l d be f o r t h c o m i n g . I f t h e G o v e r n m e n t d e c i d e d on a d r a s t i c
r e d u c t i o n of o u r a r m i e s i n E u r o p e , w e c o u l d n o t u n d e r t a k e o u r
s h a r e of t h e g a r r i s o n i n g of t h e R h i n e b r i d g e h e a d s , a n d w e w o u l d
be f a i l i n g i n o u r o b l i g a t i o n s t o o u r A l l i e s . T h e s c h e m e he p u t
f o r w a r d w a s , h e m a i n t a i n e d , e l a s t i c a n d a d a p t e d to m e e t w h a t ­
ever policy the G o v e r n m e n t , m i g h t approve.
;
M r . Bonar L a w said that the m a i n thing the Cabinet h a d
t o d e c i d e t h a t a f t e r n o o n w a s t h e n a t u r e of t h e p r o c l a m a t i o n i n
which, t h e G o v e r n m e n t s ' s p o l i c y s h o u l d be a n n o u n c e d t o the n a t i o n .
T h e essence of t h e i r d i s c u s s i o n w a s to a r r i v e a t the a c t u a l n u m b e r s
w i n c h w e r e r e q u i r e d at the moment.
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r , r e s u m i n g , s a i d t h a t 2 8 0 , 0 0 0
men w e r e w a n t e d i n F r a n c e f o r s a l v a g e p u r p o s e s , i n o r d e r to
s a l v e p r o p e r t y , the v a l u e of w h i c h a m o u n t e d to m a n y h u n d r e d s
of m i l l i o n p o u n d s . T h i s s a l v a g e w o r k could, of course', be h a n d e d
over to c i v i l i a n s , but o n l y a t e n o r m o u s loss. M a n y of t h e s a l v a g e
men m i g h t be found f r o m t h e D e m o b i l i z a b l e s , w h o w o u l d be g l a d
to c o n t i n u e to serve a t h i g h e r r a t e s of p a y . H e e s t i m a t e d t h a t
w e s h o u l d n e e d 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 m e n to h o l d the R h i n e , 50,000 o n t h e L i n e s
of C o m m u n i c a t i o n s , 2 8 0 , 0 0 0 ( w h i c h m i g h t p o s s i b l y be r e d u c e d
to 1 2 0 , 0 0 0 ) for s a l v a g e w o r k .
I f t h e r e d u c t i o n s i n r e g a r d to
s a l v a g e men w e r e f o u n d f e a s i b l e , the t o t a l r e q u i r e d f o r ' F r a n c e
w o u l d be 3 7 0 , 0 0 0 . F o r the M i d d l e E a s t w e should w a n t 100,000
E u r o p e a n soldiers and 250.000 n a t i v e soldiers. T h e E u r o p e a n
s o l d i e r s w e r e e s t i m a t e d a t t h e low n u m b e r of 100,000. b e c a u s e t h e
P r i m e M i n i s t e r h a d r e p r e s e n t e d t h a t he hoped to be a b l e con­
s i d e r a b l y to r e d u c e our c o m m i t m e n t s i n those r e g i o n s . T h e s a i d
r e g i o n s c o m p r i s e d t h e whole of t h e M i d d l e E a s t , w h e r e o u r troops
w e r e a t p r e s e n t , e x c e p t i n g I n d i a , a n d i n v o l v e d the e v a c u a t i o n of
t h e D n b r u d j a a n d the C a u c a s u s , a n d r e d u c i n g our p r e s e n t g a r r i s o n
i n S y r i a . W e h a d . i n S i b e r i a a n d N o r t h R u s s i a , some 14.000 men.
H e w o u l d h e r e r e m a r k t h a t the s i t u a t i o n of our t r o o p s in R u s s i a
w a s most u n s a t i s f a c t o r y .
O w i n g to our h a v i n g a n u n s e t t l e d
p o l i c y , it h a d not been possible to s e n d out a sufficient s u p p l y of
m e d i c a l s e r v i c e s or e n o u g h r a i l w a y men. &c in o r d e r to e n a b l e
o u r t r o o p s to h e l d t h e i r own w i t h confidence a g a i n s t t h e B o l s h e v i k
a r m i e s , w h i c h wore g r o w i n g in efficiency a n d a u d a c i t y .
A s r e g a r d s I n d i a , the g a r r i s o n of 06,000 w h i t e troops
w a s b e i n g r e d u c e d by 2 0 . 0 0 0 . a n d in t h i s connection he w o u l d
i n v i t e t h e a t t e n t i o n of the C a b i n e t to t h e f a c t t h a t t h e w h i t e troops
now in I n d i a w e r e the old T e r r i t o r i a l U n i t s , w h o m w e w e r e
p l e d g e d to r e t u r n to E n g l a n d on t h e c e s s a t i o n of h o s t i l i t i e s , a n d
i t w o u l d n o w be n e c e s s a r y to k e e p t h e m i n I n d i a a t l e a s t u n t i l
t h e following- w i n t e r .
T h e F i r s t L o r d of t h e A d m i r a l t y s a i d t h a t a l t h o u g h on t h e one
h a n d i t m i g h t be c o n t e n d e d t h a t our T e r r i t o r i a l s i n I n d i a had.
a t l e a s t e s c a p e d a l l a c t i v e s e r v i c e a n d h a d s a v e d t h e i r s k i n , to u s e
M r . B o n a r L a w ' s p h r a s e , on the other, m a n y of t h e m h a d d i e d o r
w e r e b r o k e n in h e a l t h , or h a d n o t been on l e a v e for over f o u r
y e a r s . Moreover, m a n y of t h e m w e r e d r a w n from one a r e a . i.e\,
w h o l e b a t t a l i o n s from one d i s t r i c t , w h i c h m e a n t t h a t t h e d i s t r i c t
i n q u e s t i o n n a t u r a l l y d i d not u n d e r s t a n d w h y t h e i r m e n d i d not
come home.
T h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r s a i d t h a t h e b e l i e v e d t h a t
most of t h e T e r r i t o r i a l s n o w i n I n d i a h a d a t one t i m e or a n o t h e r
seiwed i n M e s o p o t a m i a .
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r , r e s u m i n g , s a i d w e h a d
f u r t h e r a b o u t 10,000 m e n g a r r i s o n i n g M a l t a a n d G i b r a l t a r , &e.
I f the troops from the l a t t e r place were w i t h d r a w n , there would­
be n o t h i n g to p r e v e n t t h e S p a n i a r d s f r o m m a r c h i n g i n a n d o c c u p y ­
i n g i t a s soon a s P e a c e w a s s i g n e d . B r i e f l y , h i s p r o p o s a l a m o u n t e d
to t h i s : 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 m e n s h o u l d b e r e t a i n e d a n d 2 , 7 0 0 . 0 0 0 s h o u l d
be released.
P u t in another w a y , it w a s proposed that three
o u t of e v e r y f o u r m e n s h o u l d be r e l e a s e d a c c o r d i n g t o T r a d e
C a t e g o r i e s " o u t s i d e t h e n e t , " t h e r e m a i n d e r b e i n g k e p t on i n
m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e a t h i g h e r r a t e s of p a y .
T l i e A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a l s a i d t h a t t h e W a r Office p r o p o s a l s a l s o
i n c l u d e d t h e d e m o b i l i z a t i o n of e v e r y m a n over 3 9 y e a r s of a g e
e n l i s t e d s i n c e t h e 1st J a n u a r y , 1916.
S i r E r i c G e d d e s s a i d t h a t t h e r e w a s a conflict b e t w e e n t w o
principles.
T h e G o v e r n m e n t h a d a d o p t e d the p r i n c i p l e of
d e m o b i l i z a t i o n by i n d u s t r i a l s e l e c t i o n . I f t h e y p r o c e e d e d on those
l i n e s t h e r e w o u l d e v e n t u a l l y be no a r m y a t a l l . T h e r e f o r e , h e
S u g g e s t e d t h a t a l i n e s h o u l d be d r a w n r o u n d c e r t a i n a g e s , t h a t i s ,
of m e n e n l i s t e d a f t e r a c e r t a i n d a t e ; a n y s u r p l u s i n t h e n e t t h e
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e of W a r m i g h t d e c l i n e t o d e m o b i l i z e by i n ­
d u s t r i a l s e l e c t i o n ; b u t i f the old A r m y w e r e to be d e m o b i l i z e d b y
t h i s l a t t e r p r o c e s s i t w a s u n d e s i r a b l e t o t h r o w t h e n e t too w i d e . A s
r e g a r d s the A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a T s statement that everybody over
39 should, be d e m o b i l i z e d , h e t h o u g h t it w a s d e c i d e d i n P a r i s
t h a t t h e a g e s h o u l d be 3 6 .
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s a i d t h a t he u n d e r s t o o d t h a t
39 h a d been t h e a g e a g r e e d u p o n b y the A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a l a n d
Sir Stephenson Kent.
T h e A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a l s a i d t h a t t h e r e w e r e two- a l t e r n a t i v e s :
(a) t o fix t h e a g e h i g h a n d g e t i n m o r e c o m b a t a n t s t h a n w e r e ­
q u i r e , a n d (b) to fix t h e a g e l o w a n d d i s c r i m i n a t e b e t w e e n t h e
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a n d the combatant services. H e himself thought
m u c h the best p o l i c y w o u l d be to h a v e one r u l e for t h e w h o l e A r m y .
There w a s a l r e a d y considerable unrest among the a d m i n i s t r a t i v e
services.
M r . B o n a r L a w s a i d that a big principle w a s involved.
If
w e r e t a i n e d i n t h e n e t t w i c e t h e n u m b e r of men w e r e q u i r e w e
s h o u l d be u p a g a i n s t p u b l i c o p i n i o n , a n d t h e r e w o u l d be a con­
s i d e r a b l e loss of l a b o u r for i n d u s t r i a l p u r p o s e s . A s r e g a r d s t h e
A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a h s p o i n t , he t h o u g h t t h e r e n e e d be no d i s c r i m i n a ­
t i o n i n r e a l i t y so l o n g a s a n e q u a l p r o p o r t i o n of c o m b a t a n t a n d
a d m i n i s t r a t i v e services were released.
S i r E r i c G e d d e s s a i d t h a t i t w a s p r o p o s e d so t o t h r o w the n e t
a s to g e t m o r e m e n t h a n w e r e q u i r e . T b e A . S . C . on t h e l i n e s of
c o m m u n i c a t i o n c o n t a i n e d a l a r g e p r o p o r t i o n of the e l d e r m e n . I n
the c o m b a t a n t s e r v i c e s t h e r e w e r e m a n y o l d e r m e n w h o w e r e
p i v o t a l N.C.O.'*s a n d w h o m u s t be r e t a i n e d . H e h i m s e l f t h e r e ­
fore d i d not see w h y i t s h o u l d be n e c e s s a r y to d i s c r i m i n a t e a g a i n s t
the A . S . C . I t h a d b e e n s u g g e s t e d t h a t T r i b u n a l s c o m p o s e d of
C i v i l a n d M i l i t a r y R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s s h o u l d d e c i d e w h e t h e r cer­
t a i n m e n s h o u l d be r e l e a s e d b e c a u s e t h e y w e r e f a t h e r s of
f a m i l i e s or h a d a c e r t a i n n u m b e r of w o u n d s t r i p e s , &c.
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e C a b i n e t
m i g h t d e c i d e t h a t t h e W a r Office n e t s h o u l d be so a d j u s t e d a s
not to' c a t c h m o r e t h a n 1,200,000 m e n , a n d t h a t h e s h o u l d t h e n
d i s c u s s t h e d e t a i l s w i t h S i r E r i c G e d d e s . I t h a d been p r o p o s e d
t h a t 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 m e n s h o u l d be r e t a i n e d o u t of t h e c l a s s e s w h i c h n o w
h e l d 1,500,000, a n d t h a t t h e s u r p l u s s h o u l d be g r a d u a l l y r e l e a s e d
b y a g e s . H e was,- h o w e v e r , w i l l i n g to t r y to r e d u c e t h e 1,500,000
to 1,200,000, a n d to s e c u r e t h e 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 f r o m t h e l a t t e r n u m b e r .
They w e r e now releasing 35,000 men a day, a n d it w a s a m a t t e r
of u r g e n c y to s e t t l e t h e s i z e of t h e A r m i e s of O c c u p a t i o n a t once.
I n r e g a r d t o l e g i s l a t i o n , h e d i d not p r o p o s e i n t h e d r a f t w h i c h
h e s u b m i t t e d to' M r . B o n a r L a w j u s t before t h e m e e t i n g to g o
b e y o n d " t h e consent of P a r l i a m e n t , w h e r e n e c e s s a r y , w o u l d be
a s k e d for a t t h e e a r l i e s t p o s s i b l e m o m e n t . " T h i s w o u l d c o m m i t
t h e G o v e r n m e n t to n o t h i n g a b s o l u t e l y d e f i n i t e .
I n r e p l y to a
q u e s t i o n he s a i d t h a t t h i s w o u l d a p p l y to t h e c u r r e n t y e a r .
What
he a s k e d w a s to be a l l o w e d to r e t a i n n o t less t h a n 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 m e n , on
c o n d i t i o n t h a t t h e y w o u l d be r e l e a s e d by c a t e g o r i e s a,s m i g h t
be f o u n d f e a s i b l e , a n d to r a i s e a V o l u n t e e r A r m y . H e c o n t e m ­
p l a t e d t h a t w h e n t h e A r m y A n n u a l A c t n e x t c a m e u p for P a r l i a ­
m e n t , a s s u r a n c e s s h o u l d be g i v e n t h a t t h e m e n r e t a i n e d s h o u l d
be r e l e a s e d a s soon a s possible, a n d t o a s k f o r p o w e r to f o r m a
v o l u n t a r y A r m y , w h i c h w o u l d allow the compulsory
quota
g r a d u a l l y to be d i m i n i s h e d .
( M r . C h u r c h i l l t h e n r e a d o u t n o t e s of t h e C o n f e r e n c e s h e l d
i n P a r i s , a t t h e e n d of w h i c h h e s t a t e d t h a t , s h o u l d t h e
d e m o b i l i z a t i o n of t h e G e r m a n A r m y be c a r r i e d out i n a t h o r o u g h
a n d s a t i s f a c t o r y m a n n e r , t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r m i g h t w i s h to r e d u c e
o u r A r m y on t h e R h i n e below 10 d i v i s i o n s . )
WG 521
M r . B o n a r L a w s a i d t h a t h e d i d not t h i n k i t n e c e s s a r y to
give the public precise
figures.
P u b l i c opinion would not
worry
about
figures,
but
it
was
very
much
concerned
about the conscript A r m y .
I n the circumstances, therefore, it
w a s not e s s e n t i a l to cut t h e f i g u r e s too fine. I n t h e i r E l e c t i o n
s p e e c h e s p r a c t i c a l l y a l l t h e M e m b e r s of t h e G o v e r n m e n t h a d
p l e d g e d t h e m s e l v e s to no c o n s c r i p t i o n a f t e r t h e w a r .
He was
a p p r e h e n s i v e a s to w h a t w o u l d be the effect on t h e p u b l i c
m i n d if t h e Government'.? first A c t i n P a r l i a m e n t w e r e to p a s s
a C o n s c r i p t i o n B i l l . I t m i g h t be p o s s i b l e to e x p l a i n the c i r c u m ­
s t a n c e s a n d c a r r y t h e B i l l , b u t a f o r m i d a b l e o p p o s i t i o n w o u l d be
r o u s e d i n t h e c o u n t r y . H e s u g g e s t e d t h a t it s h o u l d be a n n o u n c e d
t h a t t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s c o n s i d e r e d n e c e s s a r y by t h e G o v e r n m e n t
w e r e s u b j e c t to a s t a t u t o r y d a t e , u n t i l w h i c h d a t e no n e w com­
p u l s o r y S e r v i c e A c t s h o u l d be i n t r o d u c e d .
The A r m y Council
w e r e n o w t r y i n g to g e t v o l u n t e e r s for a p o s t - w a r A r m y ; i t w a s
p o s s i b l e t h a t w h e n d i s c h a r g e d s o l d i e r s c a m e home a n d f o u n d n o
w o r k w a i t i n g for t h e m t h e y w o u l d be d i s p o s e d to v o l u n t e e r a g a i n
f o r m i l i t a r y s e r v i c e . On t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h i s f a c t o r of possible
u n e m p l o y m e n t of d i s c h a r g e d m e n m i g h t d a n g e r o u s l y affect t h e
labour situation.
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s a i d t h a t i n h i s o p i n i o n t h e
C a b i n e t o u g h t to meet t h e s i t u a t i o n i n a f r a n k a n d c o u r a g e o u s
m a n n e r ; a n y vacillation would have an unfortunate reaction upon
the P e a c e C o n f e r e n c e i n P a r i s . I t w a s e s s e n t i a l t h a t we s h o u l d
h a v e a n A r m y to b r i d g e t h e g a p u n t i l a v o l u n t a r y force could b e
raised.
M r . B o n a r L a w s u g g e s t e d t h a t the G o v e r n m e n t s h o u l d
a n n o u n c e t h a t , i n o r d e r to o b t a i n t h e f r u i t s of v i c t o r y , it w a s
n e c e s s a r y to k e e p a n A r m y in t h e field; a n d t h a t u n t i l we k n e w
w h a t t h e P e a c e C o n f e r e n c e w a s g o i n g to d e c i d e , i t w a s i m p o s s i b l e
for u s d e f i n i t e l y to fix t h e s i z e of our A r m y .
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r m a i n t a i n e d t h a t t h i s c o u r s e
w o u l d lose t h e m o r a l a d v a n t a g e of h a v i n g a d e f i n i t e policy, a n d
M i n i s t e r s would meet P a r l i a m e n t nursing, as it were, a g u i l t y
secret. H e s t r o n g l y a d v o c a t e d t h e G o v e r n m e n t t a k i n g a f r a n k
a n d bold l i n e . I f t h e i r o p p o n e n t s s a w t h a t t h e y w e r e too t i m i d
to t a k e a s t r o n g l i n e t h e r e w o u l d be e n d l e s s t r o u b l e .
S i r Eric Geddes said that he agreed with Mr. Churchilbs
s u g g e s t i o n . H e h i m s e l f t h o u g h t i t w a s e s s e n t i a l to k i l l t h e h o p e
of t h e m e n w h o w e r e e x p e c t i n g to g e t out of t h e a.rmy a t once.
T h e p r e s e n t u n c e r t a i n t y w a s r e s p o n s i b l e for most of t h e e x i s t i n g
d i s c o n t e n t a n d u n r e s t . S o long a s t h e m e n a t t h e f r o n t r e l i e d on
t h e h o p e of g e t t i n g b a c k s h o r t l y to E n g l a n d t h e y w o u l d m o v e
h e a v e n a n d e a r t h to o b t a i n t h e i r d i s c h a r g e .
M r . B o n a r L a w c o n t e n d e d t h a t h i s p l a n w o u l d not l e a v e t h i s
u n c e r t a i n t y . T h e -Government w o u l d s t a t e t h a t t h e i r a r r a n g e ­
m e n t s m u s t h o l d ^good f o r five or s i x m o n t h s u n t i l p e a c e w a s
s i g n e d , w h e n w:e s h o u l d k n o w e x a c t l y w h e r e w e stood.
T h e F i r s t L o r d of ;the A d m i r a l t y s a i d he also s t r o n g l y s u p ­
p o r t e d M r . C h u r c h i l l . H e f o r e s a w no t r o u b l e i f P a r l i a m e n t w e r e
f r a n k l y t o l d i e x a c t l y w h a t -the s i t u a t i o n w a s .
As regards the
a l l e g e d p l e d g e s i n r e s p e c t of n o c o m p u l s i o n , h e h a d a t t e n d e d
s e v e r a l m e e t i n g s d u r i n g t h e E l e c t i o n , a n d the q u e s t i o n w h i c h h a d
been p u t , t o c a n d i d a t e s w a s , " A r e y o u c o m m i t t e d to c o m p u l s o r y
s e r v i c e i n t h e f u t u r e ? " T h e a n s w e r g i v e n w a s " No, b u t u n t i l
p e a c e i s ssigned w e m u s t m a i n t a i n o u r a r m i e s a t t h e f r o n t . "
M o r e o v e r , t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r h i m s e l f h a d s a i d t h a t so l o n g a s
foreign Governments maintained conscription Great B r i t a i n must
keep u p her army.
T h e - p r e s i d e n t , of the L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t B o a r d s a i d h e r a i s e d
t w o p o i n t s . T h e first w a s ; t h a t i t w a s s t a t e d t h a t w e n e e d e d a
s t a t u t o r y l e g i s l a t i o n .to ( m a i n t a i n -compulsion u n t i l t h e e n d of t h e
w a r ;^and second, r t h a t r e c r u i t i n g u n d e r t h e M i l i t a r y S e r v i c e A c t
1
w a s to be r e o p e n e d .
(a.)
(b.)
These involved two different t h i n g s , n a m e l y ­
Compulsion.
Recruiting machinery.
H e a g r e e d w i t h M r . Churchill t h a t the m e n a t the front would
n o t object to r e m a i n i n g t h e r e i n o r d e r to e n a b l e t h e n a t i o n to r e a p
t h e f r u i t s of v i c t o r y , b u t to r e s t a r t m a c h i n e r y for c o m p u l s o r y
e n l i s t m e n t a t home w a s q u i t e a n o t h e r m a t t e r a n d h e w a s o p p o s e d
to it. W e o u g h t to t r y to g e t w h a t e x t r a men w e w a n t b y v o l u n t a r y
means.
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s a i d t h a t h e w a s g l a d t h a t
D r . Addi&bn h a d r a i s e d t h i s p o i n t . H e w a s not a s k i n g for com­
p u l s o r y p o w e r s t o e n l i s t y o u n g m e n ; t h a t m i g h t be n e c e s s a r y a s
m o n t h s g o b y s h o u l d E u r o p e f a i l to s e t t l e d o w n . H e d i d w a n t ,
however, to be e m p o w e r e d to tell the: c o u n t r y t h a t , b r o a d l y s p e a k i n g ,
w e w e r e r e l e a s i n g t h r e e - q u a r t e r s of t h e "army to r e t u r n to c i v i l
life.
T h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r s a i d t h a t he a g r e e d t h a t t h e
r i g h t policy w a s to t a k e t h e fence b o l d l y . T h e p r e s e n t u n c e r t a i n t y
a n d t i m i d i t y on t h e p a r t of t h e G o v e r n m e n t w i l l m e r e l y r e s u l t i n
t h e b o i l i n g u p of p u b l i c o p i n i o n . H e t h o u g h t t h a t t h e y h a d a
g o o d case, b u t w h e t h e r t h e c o u n t r y w o u l d a c c e p t t h e i r p r o p o s a l s
or not w o u l d l a r g e l y d e p e n d on h o w t h e c a s e w a s p r e s e n t e d a n d
on t h e n u m b e r of m e n r e q u i r e d . T h e r e w a s , for e x a m p l e , a g r e a t
p s y c h o l o g i c a l d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n a s k i n g for u n d e r a n d a s k i n g f o r
over a m i l l i o n . H i s o w n D e p a r t m e n t w a s , of course, g r e a t l y con­
c e r n e d i n t h e d e c i s i o n w h i c h m i g h t be r e a c h e d b y t h e C a b i n e t .
T h e o r i g i n a l p r o p o s a l to g r a n t a b o n u s to 1,200,000 m e n w a s e s t i ­
m a t e d to cost £ 3 6 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0
T h i s a m o u n t w o u l d be s u b s t a n t i a l l y
r e d u c e d i f t h e s i z e of t h e a r m y w e r e l i m i t e d to 800,000 m e n .
T h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t B o a r d s a i d t h a t i f it
w e r e not p r o p o s e d a t once to r e i n t r o d u c e c o m p u l s o r y e n l i s t m e n t
h e w o u l d not oppose t h e p r e s e n t s u g g e s t i o n . P i e d i d not a n t i c i p a t e
a n y g r e a t difficulty i n r e t a i n i n g a n a r m y of 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 . H e u n d e r ­
stood t h a t t h e p r o p o s a l to r e t a i n t h e s e m e n c o m p u l s o r i l y w o u l d bo
for a l i m i t e d p e r i o d o n l y .
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s a i d t h a t the p r o p o s a l w o u l d
o p e r a t e l i k e t h e A r m y A n n u a l A c t , thjat i s to say, t h a t n e w l e g i s ­
l a t i o n w o u l d be i n t r o d u c e d a s c i r c u m s t a n c e s r e q u i r e d . A s t i m e
w e n t on a n d t h e v o l u n t a r y s y s t e m w a s r e - e s t a b l i s h e d , t h e y w o u l d
be able to r e d u c e t h e t o t a l h e l d b a c k c o m p u l s o r i l y .
M r . B o n a r L a w h o p e d t h a t i n t h e p r o n o u n c e m e n t to be m a d e
b y the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r w e w o u l d not be c o m m i t t e d to
t h e definite figure of 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 .
T h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t B o a r d s a i d t h a t h e
t h o u g h t i t w a s m o s t i m p o r t a n t i n t h e p r o n o u n c e m e n t to m a k e i t
absolutely clear w h y compulsory retention w a s necessary.
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s a i d t h a t h e h a d c o n s u l t e d
M r . J . H . T h o m a s , n o w i n F r a n c e , a n d h a d told h i m t h a t i t w o u l d
be n e c e s s a r y c o m p u l s c r i l y to r e t a i n s o m e e i g h t o r n i n e h u n d r e d
t h o u s a n d m e n , a n d t h a t M r . T h o m a s h a d not been s e r i o u s l y d i s ­
t u r b e d a t the p r o s p e c t . A s r e g a r d s t h e a c t u a l n u m b e r of m e n to
be r e t a i n e d b e h o p e d it w o u l d not be l i m i t e d to 8 0 0 , 0 0 0 , a s h e
t h o u g h t i t d e s i r a b l e t h a t t h e y s h o u l d h a v e an a d d i t i o n a l 1 0 0 , 0 0 0
m e n u p t h e i r sleeves.
T h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t B o a r d s a i d t h a t he
u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h e m e n o u t s i d e t h e n e t w o u l d be d e m o b i l i z e d on
a n industrial basis.
S i r E r i c G e d d e s s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e m e n s h o u l d be t o l d t h a t a s
c e r t a i n a g e s w e r e r e a c h e d in t h e p r o c e s s of d e m o b i l i z a t i o n t h e y
w o u l d be p l a c e d i n t h e d e r a o b i l i z a b l e a r m y , a n d t h e y w o u l d be s e n t
home according to i n d u s t r i a l groups.
T h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
for W a r , in h i s announcement, should also state t h a t all p i v o t a l
m e n w o u l d be r e l e a s e d , a s a s k e d for, u p to t h e e n d of t h i s month.
The trouble h i s D e p a r t m e n t h a d to contend w i t h w a s t h a t they
c o u l d not d i s p o s e s u f f i c i e n t l y r a p i d l y of the g e n e r a l m a s s of d e ­
i/iobibzed m e n , a s t h e s e c o u l d not be a b s o r b e d u n t i l t h e p i v o t a l
men w e r e released.
Sir Eric Geddes thought that although the present labour
s i t u a t i o n i n r e g a r d to e m p l o y m e n t w a s b a d , i t s h o w e d d i s t i n c t
s i g n s of i m p r o v e m e n t .
T h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h i s i m p r o v e m e n t
w a s o n l y a p p a r e n t a n d n o t r e a l , a s r e t u r n e d s o l d i e r s d i d not at­
p r e s e n t a p p e a r on t h e u n e m p l o y m e n t l i s t s p r e p a r e d b y h i s D e p a r t ­
monr. H e d e s i r e d a g a i n to p r e s s t h e n e c e s s i t y of r e l e a s i n g p i v o t a l
m e n w i t h the l e a s t possible d e l a y .
T h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r s a i d t h a t from a f i n a n c i a l
p o i n t of v i e w a n y d e l a y i n d e m o b i l i z a t i o n w a s a s e r i o u s m a t t e r .
T h e d e c i s i o n of t h e C a b i n e t t h a t m o r n i n g to g r a n t a bonus to de­
m o b i l i z a b J e m e n h a d i n c l u d e d the g r a n t of h a l f the s a i d b o n u s to
m e n w h o w o u l d not be d e m o b i l i z a b l e by a c e r t a i n t i m e .
T h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r s a i d t h a t in r a i s i n g t h e n e w a r m y a l l
p i v o t a l m e n m u s t be e x c l u d e d from e n l i s t m e n t or r e t e n t i o n .
Mr. Bonar L a w said that everything depended upon the nature
of the a n n o u n c e m e n t to be m a d e by t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r .
H e h i m s e l f w a s i n c l i n e d to t h i n k t h a t t h e s t a t e m e n t i n i t s d r a f t
form s h o u l d first be s u b m i t t e d to t h e C a b i n e t before i t w a s i s s u e d
to the P r e s s .
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r e x p r e s s e d t h e h o p e t h a t the
C a b i n e t w o u l d g i v e h i m a free h a n d in i n t e r p r e t i n g the v i e w s of
M i n i s t e r s . M u c h d e l a y w o u l d be involved if h i s a n n o u n c e m e n t
w a s to be d e b a t e d l i n e by l i n e by the C a b i n e t .
M r . B o n a r L a w s a i d t h a t he m u s t a s k to see t h e a n n o u n c e ­
m e n t before it w a s p u b l i s h e d . H e would, t h e r e f o r e , r e q u e s t t h e
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r to s e n d h i m a c o p y i n sufficient t i m e
Cor him to a s s e m b l e M i n i s t e r s to d i s c u s s d o u b t f u l p o i n t s if neces­
s a r y before it w a s i s s u e d to the P r e s s .
S i r E r i c G e d d e s s a i d t h a t a m o n g the m a n y difficulties t h e y
w o u l d have to face w o u l d be the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e ' s p r o p o s a l in
r e g a r d to h i g h e r p a y to be g r a n t e d to n o n - d e m o b i l i z a b l e m e n .
T h e C h a n c e l l o r of the E x c h e q u e r s a i d it w a s to the i n t e r e s t
of h i s D e p a r t m e n t to k e e p the net d r a w n a s n a r r o w l y a s possible.
A s r e g a r d s s a l v a g e m e n . he u n d e r s t o o d t h a t t h e n u m b e r s q u o t e d
by the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e w o u l d he r a p i d l y r e d u c i b l e . H e h i m s e l f
w o u l d p r e f e r t h a t in t h i s c l a s s the n u m b e r s s h o u l d be u n d e r e s t i ­
m a t e d r a t h e r t h a n o v e r e s t i m a t e d a t the o u t s e t .
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s a i d t h a t t h e s i z e of t h e n e t
w a s a m a t t e r for t h e d e c i s i o n of t h e G o v e r n m e n t . H e u n d e r s t o o d
t h a t the C a b i n e t h o p e d t h a t it w o u l d not e x c e e d 1 J m i l l i o n menM r . B o n a r L a w h o p e d t h a t T r i b u n a l s w o u l d be u s e d a s l i t t l e
a s possible,
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s a i d t h a t i t m i g h t not be
p o s s i b l e e n t i r e l y to d i s p e n s e w i t h t h e m , b u t t h e y w o u l d be r e q u i r e d
to w o r k on c e r t a i n l i n e s .
The. P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e a s k e d h o w t h e r e l e a s e
of m i n e r s w a s p r o c e e d i n g .
T h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s a i d t h a t 1 7 5 , 0 0 0 h a d a l r e a d y
come home.
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 p r e s s e d for t h e i m m e d i a t e
r e l e a s e of t h e r e m a i n d e r .
T h e A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a l s a i d t h a t h e h a d been i n f o r m e d by
G e n e r a l F o w k e ( t h e A d j u t a n t - G e n e i r a l of t h e B r i t i s h E x p e d i ­
t i o n a r y F o r c e i n P r a n c e ) t h a t all t h e c o a l - m i n e r s i n t h a t c o u n t r y
h a d a l r e a d y been r e l e a s e d .
Coal-miners released from the
E g y p t i a n E x p e d i t i o n a r y F o r c e w e r e n o w b e g i n n i n g to a r r i v e i n
England.
The W a r Cabinet decided:—
(a.)
T h a t the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s h o u l d r e - d r a f t h i s
p r o p o s e d a n n o u n c e m e n t i n t h e P r e s s i n r e g a r d to the
, f u t u r e s t r e n g t h of our a r m i e s a n d t h e n e c e s s i t y for
m a i n t a i n i n g forces of a c e r t a i n s i z e i n v a r i o u s t h e a t r e s ,
i n t h e s e n s e of t h e above d i s c u s s i o n .
(&.) T h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for W a r s h o u l d s u b m i t , w i t h
t h e l e a s t p o s s i b l e d e l a y , a c o p y of t h e r e - d r a f t to M r .
B o n a r L a w w h o should, if n e c e s s a r y , a s s e m b l e a meet­
i n g of t h e C a b i n e t or a c o n f e r e n c e of M i n i s t e r s to
discuss a n d decide any doubtful points.
Industrial Unrest.
2. A t t h e r e q u e s t of M r . B o n a r L a w , S i r R o b e r t H o m e out­
lined to the Cabinet the present position r e g a r d i n g industrial
unrest.
S i r R o b e r t H o m e s a i d t h a t the w o r s t s t r i k e s w e r e i n the s h i p ­
b u i l d i n g a n d e n g i n e r i n g t r a d e s . T h e s e t r a d e s w e r e out on the
q u e s t i o n of t h e 4 7 - h o u r w e e k . A n a g r e e m e n t h a d p r e v i o u s l y been
arriA ed a t b e t w e e n t h e e m p l o y e r s a n d e m p l o y e e s on t h i s m a t t e r ,
b u t t h e t e r m s a s to w h o s h o u l d a n d s h o u l d not be i n c l u d e d i n the
s h o r t e r w e e k w e r e l e f t v e r y loose. F o r e x a m p l e , i t w a s not c l e a r
w h e t h e r t h e p i e c e - w o r k e r a n d t h e p i e c e - w o r k e r 's h e l p e r s h o u l d
be i n c l u d e d .
T h e F e d e r a t i o n of S h i p b u i l d i n g a n d E n g i n e e r i n g T r a d e s
m e t l a s t w e e k a n d t h e men'"s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s d e c i d e d to go back
to t h e i r U n i o n s a n d r e c o m m e n d a r e t u r n to w o r k .
T h e men.
however, disregarded this advice a n d the T r a d e Union leaders
t u r n e d to the M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r for s u p p o r t .
I n . t h e m e a n t i m e t h e w o r k e r s o n the C l y d e a r r a n g e d to s t r i k e
f o r a 4 0 - h o u r w e e k , a n d those i n B e l f a s t for a 4 4 - h o u r w e e k . B o t h
these strikes w e r e disavowed by the Union leaders. Communica­
t i o n w i t h B e l f a s t h a d b e e n difficult, a n d i t w a s t h o u g h t t h a t tele ­
g r a p h a n d telephone lines were being t a m p e r e d with. S i r Robert
H o m e s a i d on t h e N,E. coast t h e U n i o n s w e r e g r a n t i n g s t r i k e p a y ,
b u t t h a t i t h a d not y e t b e e n d i s c o v e r e d w h e t h e r t h e s h i p y a r d
Unions were giving strike p a y in Glasgow a n d Belfast. He had
a m e e t i n g on t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y w i t h the N e g o t i a t i n g C o m m i t t e e ,
w h e n he h o p e d i t w o u l d be a g r e e d t o d i s c o n t i n u e s t r i k e p a y .
S i r R o b e r t H o m e s a i d t h a t t h e p o s i t i o n w a s r e n d e r e d ex­
t r e m e l y difficult a s t h e G o v e r n m e n t could n o t a c t i v e l y i n t e r f e r e
i n t h e s e t t l e m e n t of t h e s e s t r i k e s over t h e h e a d s of t h e U n i o n E x e c u ­
t i v e s , a n d the m e n h a d so f a r t o t a l l y d i s r e g a r d e d t h e a d v i c e of
t h e i r l e a d e r s ; a l l t h a t i t h a d been p o s s i b l e f o r h i m to do w a s to
k e e p i n close t o u c h w i t h t h e s i t u a t i o n a n d g i v e a d v i c e .
The
-workers on t h e C l y d e h a d t e l e g r a p h e d to h i m y e s t e r d a y a s k i n g h i m
to g o d o w n a n d n e g o t i a t e , b u t h e c o u l d n o t d e a l w i t h t h e s e people
except through their Union leaders.
S i r R o b e r t H o m e s t a t e d t h a t a n o t h e r s t r i k e h a d b r o k e n out
y e s t e r d a y a m o n g t h e T h a m e s s h i p - r e p a i r e r s . S o m e t i m e a g o the
C o m m i t t e e on P r o d u c t i o n h a d a l l o w e d t h e m 5s. a w e e k i n c r e a s e
w h e n t h e y h a d a s k e d for 11., a n d t h e y w e r e n o w s t r i k i n g for the
e x t r a 15s. T h i s d e m a n d h a d been p u t f o r w a r d to i n d i v i d u a l
e m p l o y e r s , a n d h a d n o t b e e n s u b m i t t e d f o r m a l l y by t h e m e u ' s
(Unions.
I n his opinion the newspapers were u n d u l y a l a r m i s t about
t h e s i t u a t i o n . T h e -present s p o r a d i c o u t b u r s t of d i s c o n t e n t w a s
not u n e x p e c t e d . H e h a d seen a n u m b e r of p r e s s m e n w i t h a v i e w
to a l l a y i n g -their a p p r e h e n s i o n s .
I n - a n s w e r to a q u e s t i o n a s to w h a t s t a g e he p r o p o s e d to
i n t e r f e r e , S i r R o b e r t H o m e s a i d t h a t If b y t o - m o r r o w t h e s h i p ­
y a r d p o s i t i o n w a s s t i l l a t a d e a d l o c k , h e w o u l d feel b o u n d to i n t e r ­
vene d i r e c t l y .
M r . C h a m b e r l a i n s a i d u n f o r t u n a t e l y i n recent y e a r s there
h a d been a n i n c r e a s i n g r e l i a n c e p l a c e d on t h e G o v e r n m e n t a s the
r
ultimate a r b i t e r in labour disputes, with the result that strikes
were prolonged by the fact t h a t neither side w o u l d s a y the l a s t
w o r d a s to' w h a t t h e y w e r e p r e p a r e d to concede, a s t h e y e x p e c t e d
t h e G o v e r n m e n t to be c a l l e d i n a t a n y m o m e n t .
M r . M u n r o said that he h a d talked that morning with certain
l e a d i n g G l a s g o w c i t i z e n s , w h o s u g g e s t e d t h a t w h a t w a s most r e ­
q u i r e d i n G l a s g o w w a s unofficial p r o p a g a n d a .
M r . B o n a r L a w agreed w i t h this view a n d asked the Minister
of L a b o u r i f h e c o u l d g i v e c e r t a i n f a c t s r e g a r d i n g t h e s i t u a t i o n ,
s u c h a s he h a d j u s t o u t l i n e d to t h e W a r C a b i n e t , t h r o u g h the
Press.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t r e q u e s t e d t h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r to g i v e
to t h e P r e s s , a t l a t e s t on t h e f o l l o w i n g d a y t h e f u l l f a c t s
r e g a r d i n g t h e p r e s e n t u n r e s t , l a y i n g s t r e s s on the u n ­
a u t h o r i s e d c h a r a c t e r of t h e s t r i k e s .
(Initialled)
2, Whitehall
January
[826]-ior
Gardens,
28. 1919.
S.WA,
A.
B.
I )
L.
APPENDIX.
(G.T.-6674.)
I M U S T a s k t h e u r g e n t a t t e n t i o n of t h e W a r C a b i n e t to t h e a t t a c h e d R e p o r t
t h a t h a s been p r e s e n t e d to m e by a C o m m i t t e e t h a t I a p p o i n t e d u n d e r t h e c h a i r m a n ­
s h i p of L i e u t . - G e n e r a , l S i r G. M . W . M a e d o n o g h , t h e A d j u t a n t - G e n e r a l , to c o n s i d e r
t h e i m m e d i a t e p r o v i s i o n of t h e B r i t i s h A r m i e s of O c c u p a t i o n r e q u i r e d i n t h e s e v e r a l
t h e a t r e s of w a r , a n d of t h e home a n d o v e r s e a s g a r r i s o n s .
T h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s of the C o m m i t t e e i n the final f o r m i n w h i c h t h e y a r e now
p r e s e n t e d h a v e s e c u r e d t h e g e n e r a l a g r e e m e n t of a f u l l a n d r e p r e s e n t a t i v e c o n f e r e n c e
h e l d b y m e a t t h e W a r Office t h i s m o r n i n g , wdiich i n c l u d e d S i r E r i c G e d d e s , S i r
Robert H o m e , S i r Douglas H a i g , S i r W i l l i a m Robertson, a n d S i r H e n r y Wilson.
T h i s is u n q u e s t i o n a b l y t h e m o s t p r e s s i n g of the p r o b l e m s w i t h w h i c h t h e G o v e r n ­
ment is faced a n d i m m e d i a t e decisions a r e vital.
I a l s o a p p e n d a, l e t t e r w h i c h I h a v e r e c e i v e d f r o m S i r A u c k l a n d G e d d e s .
W I N S T O N S. C H U R C H I L L .
January
REPORT
OP
17,
A
1919.
COMMITTEE
ON D E M O B I L I Z A T I O N ,
AND
OVERSEAS
ARMIES
OF
OCCUPATION,
AND
HOME
GARRISONS.
T h e C o m m i t t e e a p p o i n t e d b y t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e to c o n s i d e r t h e p r o v i s i o n of
A r m i e s of O c c u p a t i o n a n d H o m e a n d O v e r s e a s g a r r i s o n s s u b m i t s t h e f o l l o w i n g r e ­
commendations and remarks:—
1. A l l m e n e n l i s t e d s i n c e t h e 1st J a n u a r y , 1916, s h o u l d be h e l d to s e r v e s u b j e c t
to t h e f o l l o w i n g e x e m p t i o n s : —
(i.)
(ii).
C o m p a s s i o n a t e ( p e r s o n a l ) cases a n d m e n w i t h t h r e e o r m o r e w o u n d s t r i p e s .
T h o s e over 4 1 y e a r s of a g e , a c c o r d i n g to d a t e g i v e n i n t h e i r a t t e s t a t i o n s
on a t t a i n i n g t h a t a g e .
(Hi.) D e m o b i l i z e r s a n d p i v o t a l m e n , o t h e r t h a n t h o s e w h o s e r e t e n t i o n i n t h e
A r m y i s e s s e n t i a l for d e m o b i l i z a t i o n p u r p o s e s . T h e M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r
w i l l f o r w a r d n a m e s of t h o s e i n t h e r e t a i n e d c l a s s e s b y 1st F e b r u a r y , a n d
a g r e e t h a t t h e t o t a l n u m b e r of p i v o t a l s , w h o s e r e l e a s e s h a l l be d e m a n d e d ,
s h a l l n o t e x c e e d 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 for t h e w h o l e A r m y . T h i s n u m b e r w i l l i n c l u d e
those w h o s e n a m e s h a v e a l r e a d y been s e n t i n , a n d w i l l a p p l y to a l l c a t e ­
g o r i e s of a g e a n d e n l i s t m e n t a n d n o t m e r e l y to the men r e t a i n e d u n d e r
the Committee's proposals.
(iv.) S u b j e c t s of A l l i e d c o u n t r i e s a n d B r i t i s h s u b j e c t s r e s i d e n t i n t h e D o m i n i o n s
or i n f o r e i g n c o u n t r i e s i n t h e i n t e r e s t of t h e e x p o r t t r a d e .
T h e C o m m i t t e e c o n s i d e r e d t h e a d v i s a b i l i t y of r e l e a s i n g G r o u p 4 3 ( s t u d e n t s a n d
t e a c h e r s ) , b u t d e c i d e d t h a t a s i t w o u l d be i n a d v i s a b l e to r e l e a s e s t u d e n t s w i t h o u t
r e l e a s i n g a p p r e n t i c e s , a n d a s t h e l a t t e r w e r e not i n c l u d e d i n a n y one i n d u s t r i a l
group , b u t w o u l d h a v e to be s o r t e d o u t f r o m a l l , a n d b e s i d e s t h a t , a s t h e r e l e a s e of
students and apprentices would destroy the g r a d u a t e d a n d Young Soldiers' B a t ­
t a l i o n s w h i c h i t i s p r o p o s e d s h o u l d f o r m t h e b a c k b o n e of the I n f a n t r y of t h e A r m y
of O c c u p a t i o n i n F r a n c e , t h e y c o u l d n o t r e c o m m e n d t h e i r r e l e a s e .
2. T h e C o m m i t t e e e s t i m a t e t h a t b y a d o p t i n g t h e d a t e s u g g e s t e d i n p a r a g r a p h
1, 1,727,000 m e n w i l l be m a d e a v a i l a b l e b e f o r e a n y e x e m p t i o n s iare m a d e .
They
f u r t h e r e s t i m a t e t h a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h e f o l l o w i n g n u m b e r s w i l l be r e q u i r e d for t h e
A r m i e s of O c c u p a t i o n , o v e r s e a s a n d home g a r r i s o n s , v i z . : —
1
Home
...
...
France
...
...
Other theatres a n d garrisons
Total
...
...
...
250,000
6 5 0 , 0 0 0 (exclusive
250,000
of
Chinese).
1,150,000
T h e s e n u m b e r s a r e e x c l u s i v e of t h o s e of the post helium
A r m y which must
n e c e s s a r i l y b e i n p r o c e s s of f o r m a t i o n d u r i n g the t i m e t h e A r m i e s of O c c u p a t i o n
a r e r e t a i n e d , a n d w i l l g r a d u a l l y r e p l a c e some of t h e a b o v e .
T h e r e m a y c o n s e q u e n t l y be a m a r g i n of a b o u t 6 0 0 , 0 0 0 men, a g a i n s t w h i c h t h e
e x e m p t i o n s , p o s s i b l y 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 men, w i l l be d e b i t e d .
3. T h e C o m m i t t e e a r e of o p i n i o n t h a t t h e figures before t h e m a r e so a p p r o x i m a t e
t h a t i t w o u l d not be s a f e to w o r k to a n a r r o w e r m a r g i n to commence w i t h , b u t they
a n t i c i p a t e t h a t , once t h e s o r t i n g o u t p r o c e s s h a s b e g u n , i t m a y be p o s s i b l e to d i s p e n s e
w i t h f u r t h e r c a t e g o r i e s . S h o u l d t h i s be t h e case, t h e y w o u l d p r o p o s e r e l e a s i n g i n
t u r n t h e h i g h e r a g e c a t e g o r i e s , i.e., first t h e m e n of 4 0 , t h e n those of 3 9 , - a n d so on.
T h e y a r c , h o w e v e r , m e t w i t h t h e difficulty t h a t a h i g h p e r c e n t a g e of the a d m i n i s ­
t r a t i v e a n d t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , s e r v i c e s c o n s i s t of m e n of t h e s e h i g h e r a g e c a t e g o r i e s ,
a n d t h a t , t h o u g h i t m a y be f o u n d possible t o r e p l a c e t h e s e m e n by c i v i l i a n s to a
c o n s i d e r a b l e e x t e n t i n G r e a t B r i t a i n , i t w i l l not be p r a c t i c a b l e to do so i n the A r m i e s
of O c c u p a t i o n or i n I r e l a n d , o r i n the o v e r s e a s g a r r i s o n s .
4. T h e C o m m i t t e e d e s i r e to p o i n t o u t t h a t t h e r e t e n t i o n of t h e c a t e g o r i e s m e n ­
t i o n e d in p a r a g r a p h 1 w i l l r e q u i r e l e g i s l a t i v e s a n c t i o n b e y o n d t h e s t a t u t o r y d a t e
fixed for t h e t e r m i n a t i o n of t h e w a r , a n d s u g g e s t t h a t l e g i s l a t i o n s h o u l d be a s k e d
f r o m y e a r to y e a r for p r o l o n g i n g the l i a b i l i t y to s e r v i c e both of these men a n d or
Class Z Reserves. They further consider t h a t r e c r u i t i n g under the M i l i t a r y Service
A c t s h o u l d be r e o p e n e d so a s to e n a b l e r e l i e f s to be c a r r i e d out.
5. T h e C o m m i t t e e c o n s i d e r t h a t t h e i r p r o p o s a l s for the r e t e n t i o n of men s h o u l d
f o r m the b a s i s for the r e t e n t i o n of officers so f a r a s c i r c u m s t a n c e s w i l l p e r m i t . T h e s e
p r o p o s a l s s h o u l d s u p p l y a n a m p l e n u m b e r of the j u n i o r r a n k s , 2 n d L i e u t e n a n t s a n d
L i e u t e n a n t s , but p r a c t i c a l l y none of t h e s e n i o r r e g i m e n t a l or h i g h e r r a n k s . S h o u l d
v o l u n t e e r s of these r a n k s be insufficient, w h i c h is u n l i k e l y , the n e c e s s a r y n u m b e r s
m u s t be h e l d c o m p u l s o r i l y . T h e y f e e l h o w e v e r , t h a t r e a s o n a b l e financial t e r m s
s h o u l d be offered.
6. T h e C o m m i t t e e c o n s i d e r t h a t a sufficiency of j u n i o r non-commissioned officers
w i l l be p r o v i d e d a u t o m a t i c a l l y by t h e i r p r o p o s a l s , a n d t h a t a sufficiency of the
h i g h e r w a r r a n t a n d n o n - c o m m i s s i o n e d r a n k s is l i k e l y to be o b t a i n e d by v o l u n t e e r i n g
if r e a s o n a b l e f i n a n c i a l i n d u c e m e n t s a r e g r a n t e d . P o w e r s should, however, be t a k e n
to r e t a i n t e m p o r a r i l y such w a r r a n t a n d n o n - c o m m i s s i o n e d officers a s m a y lie w a n t e d .
7. T h e C o m m i t t e e r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t all men h e l d u n d e r t h e i r p r o p o s a l s should
r e c e i v e r e a s o n a b l e financial c o m p e n s a t i o n .
8. T h e C o m m i t t e e propose t h a t t h e 46 G r a d u a t e d B a t t a l i o n s a n d 23 Y o u n g
S o l d i e r s ' B a t t a l i o n s now i n the U n i t e d K i n g d o m s h o u l d be sent to F r a n c e a s soon
a s G e n e r a l H e a d q u a r t e r s a r c r e a d y to receive t h e m . T h e y f u r t h e r r e c o m m e n d t h a t
a u t h o r i t y s h o u l d be g i v e n to s e n d boys u n d e r 19 y e a r s of a g e to A r m i e s of O c c u p a ­
t i o n or g a r r i s o n s i n E u r o p e .
9. T h e C o m m i t t e e c o n s i d e r t h a t v o l u n t e e r s s h o u l d be a c c e p t e d from those men
w h o a r e d e m o b i l i z a b l e u n d e r t h i s scheme, a n d t h a t a n y such v o l u n t e e r s should be
set off a g a i n s t r e q u i r e m e n t s , a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y w i l l p r o d u c e a r e d u c t i o n i n the u p p e r
l i m i t of a g e for r e t e n t i o n .
10. T h e C o m m i t t e e m a k e the f o l l o w i n g minor r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s : —
(a.) F r o m a fixed d a t e , s a y the 1st F e b r u a r y , no l e a v e e x c e p t on u r g e n t corn­
p a s s i o n a t e g r o u n d s s h o u l d be g i v e n to a n y m e n o v e r s e a s o t h e r t h a n those
excluded from demobilization.
(&.) L e a v e on a s g e n e r o u s a scale a s possible s h o u l d be g r a n t e d to those who
a r e held.
( c . ) T h e d e m o b i l i z a t i o n of a n y m a n g u i l t y of a c t s of i n s u b o r d i n a t i o n s h o u l d be
postponed.
(d.) T h e d e m o b i l i z a t i o n of m e n w h o a r e to be r e l e a s e d s h o u l d be a c c o r d i n g to
p r i o r i t y of i n d u s t r i a l g r o u p s .
1 1 . T h e C o m m i t t e e c o n s i d e r t h a t t h e scheme w h e n a p p r o v e d by the W a r
C a b i n e t s h o u l d become o p e r a t i v e f o r t h w i t h , so a s to p r e v e n t t h e f u r t h e r deimobiliza­
t i o n of the r e t a i n e d c l a s s e s . T h e y w o u l d s u g g e s t t h a t a f u l l s t a t e m e n t of. the r e a s o n s
f o r t h e a d o p t i o n of t h i s s c h e m e s h o u l d be m a d e p u b l i c l y i m m e d i a t e l y before o r d e r s
for i t s e x e c u t i o n a r e i s s u e d . T h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e : of t h e M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r t h o u g h t ,
h o w e v e r , t h a t t h e d a t e of b r i n g i n g the p r o p o s a l s i n t o o p e r a t i o n s h o u l d be postponed
t o 1st F e b r u a r y .
.
12. T h e C o m m i t t e e a r e of o p i n i o n t h a t a l l m e n f o r m i n g p a r t of the A r m i e s
of O c c u p a t i o n , H o m e a n d O v e r s e a s g a r r i s o n s , s h o u l d be l i a b l e to^ g e n e r a l s e r v i c e ,
e x c e p t t h a t boys u n d e r 2 0 y e a r s of a g e s h o u l d not be e m p l o y e d o u t s i d e E u r o p e .
G. M . W . M A C D O N O G H ,
A
January
djutant-General.
1.7, 1919.
if
[P.T.O.
APPENDIX.
M y dear Churchill,
January
15, 1 9 1 9 .
I h a v e been s t u d y i n g t h e e x i s t i n g m a c h i n e r y for d e m o b i l i z i n g t h e a r m i e s a n d
h a v e f o r m e d t h e o p i n i o n t h a t i t i s b a s e d on w r o n g p r i n c i p l e s , a n d t h a t if i t i s a l l o w e d
to c o n t i n u e to o p e r a t e i t w i l l p r o d u c e r e s u l t s d e p l o r a b l e a l i k e i n c i v i l l i f e a n d i n
the forces.
I s t r o n g l y u r g e t h a t a sufficient n u m b e r of m e n to f o r m t h e t r a n s i t i o n a l a r m y
or a r m i e s of o c c u p a t i o n , w i t h t h e i r n e c e s s a r y s e r v i c e s , be s e l e c t e d on some p e r f e c t l y
s i m p l e p r i n c i p l e , a n d t h a t t h e r e s t be d e m o b i l i z e d a s r a p i d l y a s p o s s i b l e .
M a n y a l t e r n a t i v e b a s e s of s e l e c t i o n of t h e t r a n s i t i o n a l a r m y w i l l i r e a d i l y s u g g e s t
t h e m s e l v e s to y o u ; f o r e x a m p l e , a l l m e n now u n d e r 3 3 w h o j o i n e d t h e c o l o u r s a f t e r
1st J a n u a r y , 1 9 1 6 ( r o u g h l y t h e d a t e of c l e a r k n o w l e d g e a s to t h e t e r m s of t h e first
M i l i t a r y S e r v i c e A c t ) , m i g h t be r e t a i n e d a n d a l l o t h e r s be d e m o b i l i z e d . T h o s e r e ­
t a i n e d s h o u l d , I t h i n k , e i t h e r r e c e i v e a bonus or i n c r e a s e d p a y .
T h e b a s i s of s e l e c t i o n d e c i d e d on m u s t , of course, be o n e w h i c h w i l l a l l o w suffi­
c i e n t n u m b e r s of m e n to be r e t a i n e d for s t r i c t m i l i t a r y n e e d s . A t p r e s e n t , I believe,
t h e w o r s t s u s p i c i o n s of t h e A r m y a s to t h e v a g a r i e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e w o r d
" p i v o t a l " h a v e r e a l f o u n d a t i o n . W e h a v e a l l h e a r d of t h e f r i e d fish s a l e s m a n r e ­
l e a s e d a s p i v o t a l a n d of o t h e r d o u b t f u l cases. I , m y s e l f , b e l i e v e t h a t the c o u n t r y i s
f a r m o r e i n n e e d of t h e r e t u r n to i t o f a f a i r s a m p l e of i t s m a n h o o d t h a n of a n y
s e l e c t i v e r e t u r n . I t s e e m s t o m e i m p o s s i b l e to b e g i n to g e t b a c k to n o r m a l c o n d i t i o n s
u n t i l t h e p o p u l a t i o n c o m p o s i t i o n b e g i n s to r e t u r n to t h e n o r m a l . I n o t h e r w o r d s ,
I a m s u r e t h a t t h i s " p i v o t a l " t h e o r y of d e m o b i l i z a t i o n i s f u n d a m e n t a l l y u n s o u n d .
B u t e v e n i f i t w e r e s o u n d i n t h e o r y , w h i c h I a m s u r e i t i s not, t h e staff r e q u i r e d to
w o r k i t does n o t e x i s t a n d c a n n o t , so f a r a s I c a n see, be c r e a t e d .
Yours
sincerely,
A . C, G E D D E S .
The Rt. Hon. W i n s t o n S. Churchill, M . P .