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(THIS DOCUMENT 1 3 THE PROPERTY OF M S BRITANNIC
B C RE
MAJESTY'i.
0
T.
C A B I HE T
25
(22).
CONCLUSIONS of a
e e t i n g of t h e C a b i n e t
h e l d i n Mr. C h a m b e r l a i n ^ Room, House o f
Commons, S . W . , on W e d n e s d a y , A p r i l 5 t h ,
1922, a t 4 . 1 5 p.ra.
P R S S E Li T : THE mim
MINISTER
The R i g h t Horn A . C h a m b e r l a i n ,
Lord P r i v y S e a l .
(in the
Chair).
M.P...,
The R i g h t l i o n . S i r R o b e r t H o r n e ,
G . B . E . , K . C . , M . P . , C h a n c e l l o r of
the Exchequer.
I The R i g h t Hon. E . S h o r t t , K . C . , M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r Home A f f a i r s .
The R i g h t Hon. W . S . C h u r c h i l l ,
P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r t h e
Colonies.
1 -The R i g h t R o i l . S i r L . - / o r t h i n g t o n
I;Evans;, B a r t . ,M.P . , S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
I f o r War.
The R i g h t Hon. S . B a l d w i n , H . P . ,
P r e s i d e n t of t h e Board of T r a d e .
t The R i g h t Hon. S i r A l f r e d Blond.,
S.-.P.-, " S i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h .
The R i g h t Hon. H . A . L . : F i s h e r , ,
I I . P . , P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B o a r d of
Education.
Bart.,
The R i g h t Hon. S i r A. G r i f f i t h Bosoawen,
. P . , m i n i s t e r of
Agr i c u 1 1 u r e and - F i s h e r i e s .
T he R i g h t Ho n . T . J . Uac n a m a r a ,
" I . P . , M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r .
The R i g h t Hon. R . Liunro., K . C . , , M . P . ,
Secretary for Scotland.
The R i g h t Hon. S i r Hamar Greenwood)-,
B a r t . , K . C . , K . P . , Chief S e c r e t a r y
for Ireland.
"HE FOLLOWING WERE ALSO PRESENT:
C a p t . The R i g h t Hon. F . C. G u e s t ,
C . B . S . , D . S . O . , H . P . , S e c r e t a r y of
S t a t e for A i r . (For Conclusion 2 ) .
S i r J o h n S h u c k b u r g h , K.C..M.G...,
C.B., Assistant Under-Secretary,
C o l o n i a l Qffice.(For Conclusion 2).
Mr. T . E . L a w r e n c e ,
Colonial Office.
(For Conclusion 2 ) .
L i e u t - C o l . S i r M.P.A. Hankey,
Mr. Thomas J o n e s
G.C.B
Principal
Assistant
Secretary,
Secretary.
Cabinet.
( l ) W i t h r e f e r e n c e t o C a b i n e t 22 ( 2 2 ) , C o n c l u s i o n
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 made a
on t h e s u b j e c t
5,
statement
of t h e g e n e r a l p o s i t i o n i n I r e l a n d
(Appendix).
In view of t h e forthcoming d e p a r t u r e of the
Prime
M i n i s t e r a n d s e v e r a l o f h i s C a b i n e t c o l l e a g u e s , Mr C h u r c h i l l
a s k e d f o r some g e n e r a l g u i d a n c e a s t o t h e a t t i t u d e t o b e
t a k e n up by t h e C a b i n e t
i n the not i n c o n c e i v a b l e
contin-­
g e n e y o f t h e p r o c l a m a t i o n o f an I r i s h R e p u b l i c .
He a l s o
read a l e t t e r
difficult
from l o r d M i d l e t o n , d e s c r i b i n g
the
s i t u a t i o n of S o u t h e r n U n i o n i s t s i n e x i s t i n g
Mr C h u r c h i l l
indicated that the serious
h e had d e p i c t e d might be e x a g g e r a t e d ,
s t a n c e s of the Prime M i n i s t e r ' s
felt
i t necessary
culties
conditions.
but,
situation
in the
imminent d e p a r t u r e , he had
to inform the C a b i n e t of a l l
and d a n g e r s of the
eircum­
the
diffi­
situation.
There followed a general d i s c u s s i o n a s to the
to be adopted i n t h e contingency
contemplated.
One o f t h e m a i n d i f f i c u l t i e s
r e a l i s e d to a r i s e
from, t h e f a c t
of t h e s i t u a t i o n
t h a t Mr A r t h u r
a n d Mr M i c h a e l C o l l i n s c o n s i d e r e d i t v i t a l
blow a g a i n s t t h e r e p u b l i c a n s ,
and
indispensable
or any
striking
preparatory
s t e p s w h i c h m i g h t be r e g a r d e d a s p r o v o c a t i v e .
military
was
Griffith
t o t h e s u c c e s s o f t h e p o l i c y of t h e T r e a t y t o a v o i d
the f i r s t
policy
Any
British
o r p o l i c e support a t the p r e s e n t s t a g e would
disastrous
to the Provisional
I t was p o i n t e d o u t t h a t
ness i n which the P r o v i s i o n a l
Government.
t h e p r e s e n t p o s i t i o n of
Government w a s p l a c e d ,
which gave widespread o p p o r t u n i t i e s
elements in the population,
to t h e
on w h i c h t h e y c o u l d
withdrawal
t o . r e p l a c e by
rely.
TTot r e p r o d u c e d ,
and
from, t h e
Government on t h e
of B r i t i s h f o r c e s , w h i c h t h e y had f a i l e d
weak­
disorderly
resulted directly
i n s i s t e n c e of the P r o v i s i o n a l
prove
owing to i t s g r e a t
secrecy.
forces
nrhere w a s g e n e r a l a p p r o v a l o f t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r s
1
p r o p o s i t i o n that, t h e B r i t i s h Government c o t i l d n o t a l l o w
republican flag
to f l y
in Ireland.
i t would he n e c e s s a r y to t e l l
the
A p o i n t m i g h t come when
Mr C o l l i n s t h a t i f h e w a s
u n a b l e to d e a l with the s i t u a t i o n the B r i t i s h
Government
w o u l d h a v e t o do s o .
Some d i s c u s s i o n t o o k p l a c e a s t o t h e e x p e d i e n c y
exerting
economic p r e s s u r e i n t h e c o n t i n g e n c y
a n d , more p a r t i c u l a r l y ,
a s to whether i t
form o f a t e c h n i c a l ' b l o c k a d e .
contemplated,
should take
The C a b i n e t w e r e
the
informed
t h a t t h e q u e s t i o n had been examined by a t e c h n i c a l
C o m m i t t e e , w h i c h h a d come t o t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t ,
Subif
c o u n t r i e s w e r e not t o t a k e a d v a n t a g e o f t h e s i t u a t i o n
exploit
of
foreign
to
t h e i r own t r a d e w i t h I r e l a n d and t o some e x t e n t
r e n d e r our economic p r e s s u r e n u g a t o r y ,
was t h e only s u i t a b l e
After
(a)
blockade
machinery.
considerable discussion the Cabinet agreed
o a p p r o v e t h e i n s t r u c t i o n s r e a d by t h e
S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War t o t h e G e n e r a l
Officer Commanding-in-Chief i n I r e l a n d
p r e s c r i b i n g t h e a c t i o n t o b e t a k e n b y him
i n the event of the proclamation of a
R e p u b l i c i n I r e l a n d (Appendix I I ) :
m
, '
(b)
(c)
a technical
to
To a p p r o v e t h e i s s u e t o t h e P r o v i s i o n a l
Government of I r e l a n d o f t h e f u r t h e r
consignments of arms asked f o r b y them,
a s recommended by 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 and t h e C h i e f o f t h e
Imperial General S t a f f :
h a t the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for the Colonies
' s h o u l d w r i t e t o t h e P r o v i s i o n a l Government
of I r e l a n d , formally c a l l i n g a t t e n t i o n to
the v e r y s e r i o u s s t a t e of a f f a i r s i n I r e l a n d ,
a n d a s k i n g f o r i n f o r m a t i o n a s t o how t h e y
proposed to d e a l w i t h t h e s i t u a t i o n :
n
(d) That, i n order to provide for the personal
s a f e t y o f t h e V i c e r o y , who i s a t p r e s e n t
g u a r d e d o n l y by t h e D u b l i n M e t r o p o l i t a n
C o n s t a b u l a r y —. n o t a r e l i a b l e f o r c e a g a i n s t
a n a t t a c k b y t h e I r i s h - R e p u b l i c a n Army —
t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for t h e C o l o n i e s
s h o u l d summon t h e V i c e r o y t o L o n d o n ,
o s t e n s i b l y f o r p u r p o s e s of c o n s u l t a t i o n :
—
( S ) S h a t a S u b - C o m m i t t e e of t h e C o m m i t t e e o f
I m p e r i a l Defence should he a p p o i n t e d to
c o n s i d e r t h e s i t u a t i o n and t h e n a v a l ,
m i l i t a r y , and a i r m e a s u r e s a c q u i r e d t o
meet c e r t a i n c o n t i n g e n c i e s which m i g h t
a r i s e o u t of t h e p r e s e n t s i t u a t i o n ; t h e
s a i d c o n t i n g e n c i e s to he s p e c i f i e d by
t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r t h e C o l o n i e s .
IRELAND
(2)
Compensation
Commission
With r e f e r e n c e
the Cabinet
to C a b i n e t 6 ( 2 2 ) , Conclusion
10,
-
A p p r o v e d t h e a p p o i n t m e n t of L o r d
Shaw o f D u n f e r m l i n e a s C h a i r m a n o f
t h e Commission w h i c h i s to d e a l w i t h
claims for compensation i n r e s p e c t
of i n j u r i e s s u s t a i n e d i n t h e r e c e n t
conflict in Ireland.
(Paper C P . 3 6 4 8 )
( 3 ) W i t h r e f e r e n c e t o C a b i n e t , 12 ( 2 2 ) , C o n c l u s i o n
t h e C a b i n e t h a d b e f o r e thera t h e f o l l o w i n g
2,
documents
Memorandum b y 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 , e i r c t i l a t i n g t r a n s l a t i o n of
a l e t t e r from K i n g F e i s a l t o S i r P e r c y C o x ,
d a t e d February 2 3 , 1922 (Paper G . P . - 5 9 0 3 ) ;
P a r a p h r a s e T e l e g r a m from 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 t o t h e H i g h Commis­
s i o n e r of I r a q (Paper C P . - 3 9 2 3 ) ;
P a r a p h r a s e T e l e g r a m from t h e H i g h Commis­
s i o n e r of I r a q to the S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
for the Colonies (Paper C.P.-3924);
P a r a p h r a s e T e l e g r a m from t h e High Commis­
s i o n e r of I r a q t o t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
G.P.-3925).
f o r t h e C o l o n i e s tPaper
"he S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
Cabinet
for the Colonies r e a d to
t e l e g r a m s which he had r e c e n t l y
P e r c y Cox on t h e . q n e s t i o n o f F e i s a l ' s
exchanged w i t h
attitude
A r t i c l e "V o f t h e p r o p o s e d T r e a t y w i t h I r a q ,
Mandate of t h e League of Nations
(a)
From t h e c o r r e s p o n d e n c e i t
P e r c y Cox i s
of opinion that
Sir
to
and ( b ) t o
(Paper3 C P . - 3 9 2 3 ,
CP.-3934).
the
the
and
appeared t h a t
t h e F o r e i g n O f f i c e form
Sir
of
A r t i c l e V "would i n j u r e P e i s a l ' s p r e s t i g e v i t a l l y "
(Paper
0,P.-3903).
point,
In addition to the d i f f i c u l t y
on t h i s
P e i s a l had put f o r w a r d a r e q u e s t f o r t h e formal - a b r o g a t i o n
o f t h e M a n d a t e , and w a s n o t s a t i s f i e d w i t h t h e a b s e n c e o f i
reference
Treaty.
t o t h e m a n d a t o r y a u t h o r i t y ' i n t h e p r e a m b l e o f th*
He (Mr C h u r c h i l l ) h a d d i s c u s s e d t h i s p o i n t
S i r A r t h u r B a l f o u r a n d Mr F i s h e r ,
that
and t h e y were a l l
with
agreed
to a c c e d e to F e i s a l ' s r e q u e s t would r a i s e s e r i o u s
national
difflenities.
Mr C h u r c h i l l ,
c o u r s e s open to t h e
(i)
int
continuing,
s a i d t h a t t h e r e w e r e two
Cabinet:­
To go t o t h e L e a g u e o f R a t i o n s and s a y
frankly.what tbe position i s — that
H i s M a j e s t y ' s Government h a d f a i t h f u l l y
c a r r i e d out the s p i r i t of t h e Mandate,
a s k t h e i r a p p r o v a l to t h e l a s t p a r a g r a p h
i n S i r P e r c y Cox's t e l e g r a m (Parser C . P . ­
3824) and p o s t p o n e t h e c o n c l u s i o n of t h e
T r e a t y an t h e meantime:
( i i ) To s e n d F e i s a l a f i r m t o l e r s r a & i c o m p l a i n i n g
of h i s a c t i o n i n h a s t i l y d i s ^ d s s i n n h i s
r a i n i s t e r s w i t h o u t - c o n s u l t i n g t h e H i g h Coia^
m i s s i o n s ? and s t a t i n g t h a t i f bo i s n o t p r e ­
p a r e d t o go o n w i t h t h e T r e a t y w i t h A r t i c l e V
r e v i s e d i r r h i a f a v o u r wo "would d r o p T r e a t y
negotiations altogether.
This a l t e r n a t i v e
c o u l d h o p u s h e d s t i l l f u r t h e r * a n d wo c o u l d
s t a t e t h a t wo w o u l d d r o p b o t h t h e S r o a t y
and t h e Ltandate. and e v a c u a t e i K i q .
a
On t h e w h o l e , h o p r e f e r r e d t h e f o r i a e r a l t e r n a t i v e .
wanted the c l o s e s t
and i n
feet
r e l a t i o n s with us
9
Peisal
b u t not the Mandate *
t h e M a n d a t e w a s o f no h e l p t o u s *
The P r i m e M i n i s t e r a s k e d h a d t h e s u b j e c t b e e n d i s ­
o u s s e d w i t h t h e French Government?
I t was important t h a t we
should m r o h i n step w i t h Pranoe.
wanted the Mandate
5
He w a s n o t s u r e ' t h a t wo
a n d h e d i d n o t s o e w h a t w e r a i n e d "by i t .
The P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n s t a t e d
F a i s a l was c l e a r l y a n x i o u s f o r the r i g h t s of
i n t h i s country.
that
representation
O o u l d wo n o t s a y t h a t w e w o u l d j - r a n t
these
r i g h t s i f he accepted t h e Mandate?
The L o r d P r i v y S e a l s u g g e s t e d t h a t we m l f h t
soy
t h e " y r o a t y t h a t we w e r e p r e p a r e d t o a s h t h e L e a r u e o f
t o s u b s t i t u t e t h e T r e a t y for' the
nations
Mandate.
The P r e s i d e n t o f t h e B o a r d o f r J d u o a t i O n s t a t e d
the, Treaty was not i n c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e Mandate.
important to
v&mtitoev
in
t h a t the United S t a t e s
that
I t was
Govestaaentj
b a s i n g t h e m s e l v e s on t h e g r o u n d t h a t t h e y h a d h e l p e d t o w i n
t h e War* w e r e m a k i n g d i f f i c u l t i e s
about the Mandates to
Iraq
and P a l e s t i n e , and t h e Lord P r e s i d e n t of t h e Council was
strongly a g a i n s t our r i s k i n g a quarrel with the United
on t h e s u b j e c t .
I t should be p o s s i b l e
9
alto, the issue
t h e M a n d a t e , t o tp l a t e r on t o t h e L e a g u e o f N a t i o n s
i n g out t h a t I r a q had achieved the s t a t u a
of an
o u t Mr C h a m b e r l a i n ' s
w i t h the Lee ue of Mations ,in
su-rostlon.
9
of
point­
independent
n a t i o n and t h a t . t h e M a n d a t e o u g h t t o b e r e n o u n c e d .
would be d i f f i c u l t y
States
There
carrying
o
v
In r e p l y to a q u e s t i o n ,
S i r J o h n S h u e K b u r g h a n d Mr
Lawrence agreed t h a t i f the T r e a t y were not proceeded w i t h
i t was u n l i k e l y t h a t d i s t u r b a n c e s would t a k e p l a c e
unless
p o s s i b l y i n t h e e v e n t of t h e r e s i g n a t i o n o f t h e P r i m e
Minister
on t h e p l e a t h a t we w e r e a g a i n a t t e m p t i n g t o e n s l a v e
The 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 r e a d
d r a f t o f a reiJly? p r e p a r e d b y t h e
Foreign Office
t
Iraq.
the
to S i r
Percy
Cox's t e l e g r a m (Appendix I I I ) .
The P r i m e M i n i s t e r r e a d t o t h e C a b i n e t a l e t t e r
h a d r e c e i v e d from t h e
Secretary.of
who w a s u n a b l e t o b e p r e s e n t
The S e c r e t a r y
State for
Foreign.Affairs
(Appendix I V ) .
of S t a t e f o r t h e C o l o n i e s p o i n t e d
t h a t oil t h e F o r e i g n O f f i c e v e r s i o n of A r t i c l e V F e i s a l
have a r i g h t
i u b j e c t to a g r e e ­ lent on o t h e r
ssues;
he
t o a p p o i n t an Agent i n London.
The C a b i n e t a g r e e d —
That t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r t h e
Colonies should t e l e g r a p h to S i r Percy
Cox t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t we w e r e p r e p a r e d ^ " :
t o c o n c l u d e a T r e a t y w i t h A r t i c l e V amended
ITS VSB s e n s e of t i l e c o l o n i a l O x l l c e . v e r s i o n ^ .
t h a t we w e r e n o t p r e p a r e d ' f o r m a l l y t o a b r o g a t e
the Mandate;
and t h a t u n l e s s we. h a d F e i s a l ' s
a c t i v e c o - o p e r a t i o n we s h o u l d h a v e no a l t e r n a ­
t i v e but t o c o n t e m p l a t e t h e . e v a c u a t i o n of
Iraq.
out
would
9
' ( 4 ) "The O a M . n e t h a d fee £fore them a $er^orandum "by t h e
Fstforiii-i? S e c r e t a r i e s
t o %fm tp&mmsxy ^ w i t h a e c v e r l "v-' not'')
by t h e Lord F r i v y 8 e & l * d e a l i n g w i t h a B i l l
XI o f t h e ( l a m i n g A c t , 1 8 S 5 ( j f e p e r
The C a b i n e t a g y o e d
t o mmn&
C,£
--
To p o s t p o n e t h e d i c m i s o i o n o f t h e Wme^
vw\0&m t m t i j . t h e v i e w s o f t h e l o r d
C h a n c e l l o r o n fete B i l l h a d b e e n a s c e r t a i n e d .
. t e h a l l Gardens * S*W,1^
- April S . 1983.
%
Section
f(THTS DOCUMEFT I S TIPS PR OPERTY O F g ^ j a R I T A K m C M A J ^ T Y ^ S
- - - - - - - - - - 1
!
OOVERMplHT)
a
,
COMMITTEE OF IMPERIAL DEFENCE.
SUB-COMMITTEE OK IRELAND,
The s i t u a t i o n i n I r e l a n d h a s now t a k e n a t u r n i n
v a r i o u s i m p o r t a n t c o n t i n g e n c i e s must he c o n s i d e r e d .
i s n o r e a s o n t o d o u b t t h e good f a i t h o f t h e
G o v e r n m e n t n o r t h e good w i l l
s u p p o r t them i n t h e D a i l
0
which
There
Provisional
o f t h e T r e a t y P a r t y who
There i s
every reason
to
b e l i e v e t h a t t h e g r e a t mass of the people i n I r e l a n d
g l a d l y v o t e for t h e T r e a t y and t h e F r e e S t a t e
would
On t h e
0
o t h e r h a n d t h e I r i s h R e p u b l i c a n A r m y , w h i c h we h a v e n o t
r e c o g n i s e d , b u t t o w h i c h we h a v e b e e n f o r c e d t o h a n d o v e r
a number o f b a r r a c k s
Con t h e a s s u r a n c e t h a t i t w o u l d o b e y
t h e P r o v i s i o n a l G o v e r n m e n t ) now a p p e a r s t o b e
unreliable,
incapable
2
e
largely
and t h e P r o v i s i o n a l Government a p p e a r s t o b e
of w i t h s t a n d i n g t h e
extremists^
Upon r e v i e w o f a l l t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s , i t
soems
t h a t t h e r e may be a s t r o n g e f f o r t t o overthrow t h e
P r o v i s i o n a l Government b e f o r e t h e e l e c t i o n s u n d e r
Treaty can take place i n
3*
clear
present
the
Ireland,
I t m u s t b e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t we s h o u l d n o t
recognise
or p a r l e y w i t h a n I r i s h R e p u b l i c a n Government i n
any
c i r c u m s t a n c e s ; and t h a t t h e mere f a c t of i t s b e i n g
brought
i n t o b e i n g would c o n s t i t u t e a s t a t e of war between
it
and t h e B r i t i s h
Empire.
H i s M a j e s t y ' s Government s t a n d f a s t b y t h e
as their
full
detracting
and f i n a l
from t h o s e
offer, neither
provisions'.
Treaty
adding to nor
5,
I t i s i m p e r a t i v e t h a t t h e a c t i o n we s h o u l d
i n t h e v a r i o u s f o r e s e e n or i m a g i n a b l e
contingencies
s h o u l d now b e c a r e f u l l y t h o u g h t o u t b y t h e
n a v a l a n d Ksmt&ibm. a v i a t i o n
6,
military,,
authorities,
A coup d ' e t a t m i g h t t a k e one of a t l e a s t
p o s s i b l e forms
(i)
take
three
:­
!
A coup d ' e t a t m i g h t be made i n D u b l i n
t h e o b j e c t of f o r c i b l y overthrowing t h e
with
Provisional
Government a n d s e t t i n g up a R e p u b l i c a n Government *
In that
contingency the General Officer
Commanding­
i n - C h i e f w i l l a t once p r o c l a i m m a r t i a l l a w
t h e R e p u b l i c a n Government a n d s e i z e a l l
tailing p a r t i n the conspiracy for i t s
T h i s s h o u l d be done i r r e s p e c t i v e
b y t h e P r o v i s i o n a l Government.
attack
p
persons
establishment.
of the view
The p r e s e n t
taken
garrison
of Dublin i s b e l i e v e d to be adequate for a l l
purposes
so f a r a s D u b l i n and i t s i m m e d i a t e s u r r o u n d i n g s
concerned.
It
c a n be r e i n f o r c e d w i t h g r e a t
are
rapidity
from
England,
(2)
A R e p u b l i c a n Government m i g h t be s e t up o u t s i d e
Dublin.
In that
e v e n t we s h o u l d a t o n c e c a l l
t h e P r o v i s i o n a l Government t o t a k e e f f e c t i v e
t o wage war upon t h e R e p u b l i c a n f o r c e s .
d e t a t would open up t h e f o l l o w i n g
!
(a)
upon
steps
Such a
alternatives:­
I t might be r e s i s t e d by the
Provisional
Government and o t h e r l o y a l e l e m e n t s .
In
e v e n t a n e n d e a v o u r s h o u l d b e made t o r a l l y
North and a l l
coup
elements i n the country
that
the
favourable
t o t h e T r e a t y o n one s i d e a n d f o r m a n a r m y o u t
Of,a 0 o * o c
o f them w h e r e w i t h t o march a g a i n s t and
attack
the Republican forces.
It
i s not improbable
t h e N o r t h \70Uld a s s i s t ,
but i t i s doubtful
t h e P r o v i s i o n a l Government would c o n s e n t
fight
(to)
a l o n g s i d e the North for the
that
if
to
Treaty,.
A coup d e t a t i n t h e p r o v i n c e s , on t h e
other
s
h a n d , m i g h t n o t be met b y a n e f f e c t i v e
protest
oh t h e p a r t of t h e P r o v i s i o n a l Government and
other loyal elements.
If
the whole of
the
twenty-six counties q u i e t l y accepted the Republic
a n d n o s e r i o u s a t t e m p t w e r e made t o r e s i s t
s h o u l d be confronted w i t h a d i f f e r e n t
it,
we
situation.
There would not then be c i v i l war
between
t h e T r e a t y P a r t y and t h e R e p u b l i c a n s , b u t
only
a R e p u b l i c i n which the people of the whole
c o u n t r y w i l l h a v e a c q u i e s c e d , and i n
all
p r o b a b i l i t y c i v i l war b e t w e e n N o r t h e r n
and t h e Southern R e p u b l i c .
Ireland
In t h a t event
B r i t i s h Army s h o u l d n o t i n v a d e e x c e p t
the
where
c o n v e n i e n t t h e t e r r i t o r i e s of t h e R e p u b l i c .
D u b l i n and p o s s i b l y c e r t a i n o t h e r
should be h e l d .
ports
Flying columns should
attack
t h e c e n t r e s of t h e R e p u b l i c a n Government
wherever
s e t u p , b u t s p e a k i n g b r o a d l y t h e r e s h o u l d b e no
permanent o c c u p a t i o n of towns i n S o u t h e r n
Ireland.
F o r t h e p r o t e c t i o n o f U l s t e r t h e B r i t i s h Army
should a l s o hold the b e s t m i l i t a r y l i n e i n
North i r r e s p e c t i v e of t h e U l s t e r
boundary
( p r e s u m a b l y t h e l i n e from Dundalk t o
7
9
Aerodromes s h o u l d , presumably, be
the
Ballyshannon)
established
b o t h i n t h e North and i n t h e neighbourhood of D u b l i n ,
xn......
i n order t h a t h o s t i l e concentration slight he d e a l t
with
from t h e a i r or r e t a l i a t o r y m e a s u r e s t a k e n i n e a s e
of
a g g r e s s i v e a t t a c k upon t h e B r i t i s h
8
e
forces.
A c e s s a t i o n of i n t e r c o \ i r s e w i t h t h e
disaffected
c o u n t i e s would be p r o c l a i m e d , and f o r e i g n powers would
be notified
9*.
of t h e i r
effective
blockade*
I n t h e p r e p a r a t i o n of p l a n s t o meet t h e
hypothetical contingencies , the following
p o i n t s should be t a k e n i n t o
(a)
The j u r i d i c a l
foregoing
further
account?"
c o n d i t i o n s of a c o n f l i c t
between
t h e B r i t i s h Government and a n I r i s h R e p u b l i c
would
b e , b r o a d l y s p e a k i n g , t h o s e between, t h e Union
Government and t h e C o n f e d e r a t e d S t a t e s , t h a t
is
t h e r e would be m i l i t a r y r e c o g n i t i o n f o r p e r s o n s
uniform.
T h e y w o u l d n o t be t r e a t e d a s r e b e l s
in
if
t h e y belonged to t h e army f o r c e s of the R e p u b l i c ^
b u t t h e r e w o u l d b e n o r e c o g n i t i o n on o u r
c a p a b l e of a d m i t t i n g t h e i r r i g h t s t o
by other
(b)
part
recognition
nations.
I n s u c h h o s t i l i t i e s we s h o u l d e n j o y
a d v a n t a g e of no l o n g e r h a v i n g d i r e c t
the
responsibility
f o r t h e w e l f a r e of the people of Southern
Ireland,
b u t we s h o u l d h a v e h e a v y r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s
to
refugees
a
There a r e 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 U n i o n i s t s l i v i n g
in
t h e 26 c o u n t i e s whose p o s i t i o n m i g h t a t a n y t i m e
become v e r y g r a v e *
Veiled t h r e a t s have
been directed a g a i n s t
meetings,
or t h e s e a .
them a t r e c e n t
already
Republican
They may b e c o m p e l l e d t o f l y t o D u b l i n
The a i d o f t h e H a v y m a y h a v e t o b e
i n v o k e d t o r e m o v e them f r o m c e r t a i n p o i n t s o n t h e
' coast.
Co)
In the event of a c o l l i s i o n between
f o r c e s and t h e R e p u b l i c a n Government, or
British
even
upon t h e m e r e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a R e p u b l i c a n
Government, s e r i o u s o u t r a g e s might t a k e
i n t h i s country,,
Against these also
m e a s u r e s must be put i n
W h i t e h a l l G a r d e n s , S.W. ,
10th. April,
1922 i
!
train.
place
precautionary
Very
3ir
A p r i l 6th 19S2.
Secret
9
I am commanded hy
t h e Army C o u n c i l t o i n f o r m y o u t h a t
q u e s t i o n a s t o w h a t a c t i o n s h o u l d b e t a k e n "by y o u i n t h e
of a Bepublie b e i n g d e c l a r e d
i n I r e l a n d h a s been
b y H i s M a j e s t y ' s Government a3s.fi I ara a c c o r d i n g l y
the following
the
etsent
considered
to g i v e
you
instructions;­
(1) It a l i e - p u b l i c v/oro d e c l a r e d b y some body of p e r s o n s
i n some p a r t o f I r e l a n d r e u s e t e from D u b l i n , t h e r e w o u l d
b e t i m e t o g e t I n f o r m a t i o n a s t o t h e n a t u r e and irapcr t a n c e
of t h e movement f r o m t h e P r o v i s i o n a l Government a n d t o
oo m a n i c a t e w i t h t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r War b e f o r e
taking any steps * other than any m i l i t a r y p r e c a u t i o n s
which the s i t u a t l e n c a l l e d for - which might a g g r a v a t e
t h e t h e n p o l i t i c a l s i t u a t i o n -and p e r h a p s c a u s e the
r e s i g n a t i o n of the p r o v i s i o n a l Government.
(g) I f , however, a Bopublic were d e c l a r e d i n Dublin,
i t might n o t bo p o s s i b l e to d e l a y a c t i o n p e n d i n g s u c h
communication.
You a r e t h e r e f o r e a u t h o r i s e d i n t h a t
event to d e c l a r e m a r t i a l law i n Dublin i m m e d i a t e l y .
( 3 ) Yovaare now i n p r o c e s s of v a c a t i n g t h e C u r r a g h and o f
b r i n g i n g the s t o r e s sad the troops i n t o D u b l i n . ' If t h i s
movement h a s n o t b e e n c o m p l e t e d when y o u a r e c a l l e d u p o n
t o d e c l a r e m a r t i a l l a w , you a r e a u t h o r i s e d i m m e d i a t e l y
to'
te^tsxmtmxfeias^xSassE
b r i n g t h e t r o o p s i n t o D u b l i n from
the Curragh, any a t o r e s remaining being burnt.
(4) i n accordance with your v e r b a l r e q u e s t , the Admiralty
have been asked to p u t 2 D e s t r o y e r s i n the r i v e r a t
D u o l i n , a n d y o u w i l l make a n y l o c a l a r r a n g e m e n t s n e c e s s a r y
w i t h the Admiral for c o - o p o r a t i o n .
I am,
air,
Your o b e d i e n t
(signed)
H,J.CH3EDY
-The G e n e r a l O f f i c e r
Gommanding-in-Ohio f
1?E£ jfQBGBS I S IBELAilD
DUBDIH.
Servant,
APPBIISXJS I I I
TELEGRAM TO,.SIR PERCY COX.
p e r s o n a l and
Secret
My t e l e g r a m o f y e s t e r d a y .
Treaty.
M a t t e r was c o n s i d e r e d by
Cabinet to-day.
I r e g r e t that a l t e r n a t i v e procedure suggested
i n y o u r t e l e g r a m Ho.258 w i l l not meet the d i f f i c u l t y .
We a r e
n o t i n a p o s i t i o n to a s k A l l i e s o r L e a g u e o f n a t i o n s t o a l t e r
c h a r a c t e r o f o b l i g a t i o n s w h i c h we h a v e a s s u m e d i n I r a q .
Feissl
and U a q i b m u s t g i v e u s c r e d i t ; f o r u n d e r s t a n d i n g i n t e r n a t i o n a l
s i t u a t i o n b e t t e r t h a n t h e y do and m u s t a c c e p t o u r a s s u r a n c e t h a t
w h a t t h e y w a n t c a n n o t b e d o n e . P o s i t i o n i s i n e f f e c t t h a t we a r e
p r e p a r e d t o a s s i s t I r a q s t a t e on c e r t a i n c o n d i t i o n s t h a t c a n n o t
be m a t e r i a l l y modified.
These c o n d i t i o n s a r e s e t out i n d r a f t
T r e a t y a s a p p r o v e d b y H.M.&.
I f I r a q w i l l not a g r e e to t h o s e
t e r m s s h e must do w i t h o u t o u r a s s i s t a n c e .
The K i n g and h i s
a d v i s e r s should understand c l e a r l y that t h i s i s the a l t e r n a t i v e
b e f o r e them.
I hope t h a t b e f o r e t h e i r f i n a l d e c i s i o n i s r e a c h e d
b o t h t h e y a n d t h e p e o p l e of I r a q g e n e r a l l y w i l l b e made t o s e e
q u i t e c l e a r l y fcow n a r r o w l a the- i s s u e on w h i c h t h e y a r e r i s k i n g
s o m u c h . T h e r e i s n o d i f f e r e n c e of s u b s t a n c e b e t w e e n w h a t we
o f f e r them a n d w h a t t h e y a r c p r e p a r e d to a c c e p t .
, W9 a r e i n
s u b s t a n t i a l agreement about o p e r a t i v e p a r t o f " T r e a t y , which i s
what w i l l r e g u l a t e out f u t u r e r e l a t i o n s w i t h . t h e I r a q S t a t e
and w h i c h p l a c e s them on t h e b a s i s , n o t o f m a n d a t o r y a u t h o r i t y ,
but of an engagement f r e e l y e n t e r e d i n t o between e q u a l s ,
that
t h e y a r e o b j e c t i n g t o i s n o t t e r m s of e n g a g e m e n t b u t s o u r c e from
w h i c h we d e r i v e a u t h o r i t y t o make a n y e n g a g e m e n t a t a l l .
They
tv.ro i n f a c t c r i t i c i s i n g o u r r e l a t i o n s n o t w i t h t h e m s e l v e s b u t
w i t h t h e L e a g u e of N a t i o n s .
I c a n n o t s e e why t h e y s h o u l d c o n c e r n
themselves w i t h the l a t t e r .
You s h o u l d p u t a. 1 1 t h e s e a r g u m e n t s
t o F e i s a l and t h e l i a q l b a n d m a k e them u n d e r s t a n d c l e a r l y t h a t
H.I-i.6. a r e i n e a r n e s t i n t h e i r I n t e n t i o n t o w i t h d r a w s u p p o r t
i f a b r o g a t i o n of M a n d a t e i s made a c o n d i t i o n o f i t s a c c e p t a n c e .
i f t e r f u r t h e r d i s c u s s i o n the C a b i n e t a r e p r e p a r e d to "accept
C o l o n i a l Office a l t e r n a t i v e of A r t i c l e V of d r a f t mandate.
I
l e a v e i t t o y o u t o make b e s t u s e of t h i s c o n c e s s i o n , a s a l e v e r
f o r s e c u r i n g a g r e e m e n t on w i d e r q u e s t i o n .
85/2 2 / 3 .
Appendix 4
1,
C a r l t o n House
Terrace,
S * lV f i t
:
April 5, 1922.
My d e a r P r i m e
Minister,
I see that Churchill
i s b r i n g i n g up a g a i n
t h i s a f t e r n o o n t h e q u e s t i o n of w h e t h e r F a i s a l
or s h o u l d n o t have f o r e i g n
should
representation.
The F o r e i g n 0 f f i c e p r o p o s e one f o r m u l a The C o l o n i a l o f f i c e
You w i l l
another.
remember t h a t
on the l a s t
t h a t we d i s c u s s e d t h e m a t t e r i n C a b i n e t ,
you,
occasion
Balfour
and I w e r e opposed t o g r a n t i n g F e i s a l ' s demand -
partly
b e c a u s e we d i d not w a n t a n o t h e r row w i t h t h e F r e n c h who
w o u l d be f u r i o u s
on t h e i r
at a d e c i s i o n which could not but
position in S y r i a ,
re-act
and who m i g h t b e e x p e c t e d
o p p o s e and do t h e i r b e a t t o d e f e a t
of t h e mandate a t t h e C o u n c i l
any such
modification
of t h e L e a g u e -
b e c a u s e v e did not t h i n k t h a t t h e s t a t e
partly
of I r a k had
r e a c h e d a s t a g e of c o n s o l i d a t i o n t o demand o r t o
the r i g h t to appoint diplomatic
to
ieserve
representatives,partly
of
because themultiplie-ation/feueh
becoming a r e a l s o u r c e
representatives
of e m b a r r a s s m e n t t o o u r d i p l o m a c y ,
and may g i v e u s a good d e a l
o f t r o u b l e i n the
C h u r c h i l l was however a u t h o r i s e d
Cox a s t o w h e t h e r h e t h o u g h t t h e r e f u s a l
c o n c e s s i o n would v i t a l l y
affect
French
Cox, a s might be e x p e c t e d ,
affirmative.
is
J3ut m e a n w h i l e F e i s a l
of
future.
to w i r e
to
this
prestige.
answered i n the
o b j e c t s t o t h e mandate
altogether/
­
altogether
and w a n t s t o s w e e p i t
This i t
away I n t o t o .
i s generally recognised
Whether h i s o b j e c t i o n s
P e r s o n a l l y I doubt i t
impossible.
c a n be o v e r c o m e
s u r r e n d e r on t h e p o i n t o f d i p l o m a t i c
cannot s a y .
is
by
representation
I
and I at a l o t h t o make
c o n c e s s i o n s w h i c h may be v e r y t r o u b l e s o m e t o u s , and w h i c h
a l m o s t i n e v i t a b l y l e a d t o a demand f o r s o m e t h i n g a c r e *
These a r e t h e views which i should have urged
had i
b e e n a b l e to- a t t e n d
the Cabinet t h i s
afternoon.
.But i f y o u and t h e C a b i n e t t h i n k t h a t
situation
has changed
previous decision
in the way,
and t h a t we o u g h t t o r e v e r s e
I do n o t w i s h -
although i t
he w i l l
attains his
sit
stand
ana n o t
by the
the
surrender.
representation,
n o t h a v e much more to s a y t o t h e c o l o n i a l
' i i s man w i l l
and w i l l
office
bo t h e s u f f e r e r s
once F e i s a l
our
in my a b s e n c e . - t o
i s the Foreign
C o l o n i a l o f f i c e who w i l l
For,
the
on t h e d o o r s t e p of t o e F o r e i g n
office.
Office
c a u s e u s an amount of d i p l o m a t i c , t r o u b l e w h i c h
I regard with the g r a v e s t
Sr. Churchill
mo of F e i s a l .
The l a s t
a p p r e h e n s i o n and
dismay.
h a s b e e n good e n o u g h t o
t h i n g I want i s t o have him back
again I
Yours
sincerely,
(Signed)
You may r e a d . . t h i s l a t t e r
relieve
if
desired.
CUE-SO JS-.