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A
j)0CuMEBT IS THE PROPERTY OF BIS E I M I Q
MAJESTY'3 GOYERUHBflg)1
1
C A B I 1 E T
S6 (28).
COIGLIJSIGIS of a -£tooting of the Cabinet
held in M r ; Chamberlain' s Room, House
of Cosisaoiis, 3.W.I. on Friday, 30th June,
1922, at 12, loon.
:
9
PRESENT j­
'i'HS PRIME MIHIS2ER
(Ill THE CHAIR).
(sight Hon., rj?he Earl of Balfour,
I, o.M. y lord residB8t of the
JEILE
The Right Hon., Sir Robert H o m e ,
G.S.E., IC.G., M.P., Chancellor
of the Exchequer,
Right Hon., E . Shortt, K.C.,
Secretary of State for Home
Kirs.
The Right Hon., w.3. Churchill,
M.' ., Secretary of state for
the Colonies.
Eight Hon., 'l'ho Viscount Peel,
33., secretary of State for
a.
The Right Hon., sir L. worthing ton­
Evans, Bart., G.B.S., M.P*,
Secretary of state for war.
light Hon., Lord Lee of Fareham,
ilo, K.C.B., First Lord of the
ralty.
The Right Hon., s. Baldwin, M.P.,
President of the Board of Trade.
T,
Right Hon., sir A. Mond, Bart.,
Minister of Health.
(Right Hon., sir A. Griffithjawen, M.P., Minister of Agrieuland Fisheries *
Sight Hon., B . Munro, E.C., Mo?.,
latary for Scotland.
D
The Right Hon., H.A.L. Fisher,M.P.,
President of the Board of Education.
The Right Hon., T.J. Macnamara,
M.P., Minister of Labour.
She Right Hon., sir Hamar Green­
wood, 3art*, K.G., M.P., Chief
Secretary for Ireland.
The Right Hon., The Earl of Crawford
and Balcarres, K.T., First Conmiss­
ioner of Works.
Col., sir M.P.A. Hankey, G.C.B.,
R.B. Eoworth
Secretary,
Assistant Secretary.
a
(i) W i t h r e f e r e n c e
flAlID.
to Conferences
pjie C a p t u r e
if the P o u r
t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for
Courts,
an account of the l a t e s t
the
and 2 9 t h
J u n e 28/ 1 9 2 2 .
of M i n i s t e r s h e l d on /
Colonies gave the
developments i n I r e l a n d .
prolongation of the operations by the Free S t a t e
against
t h e Pour C o u r t s ,
had bean put about t h a t
ing at
the behest
The
troops
coupled with the suggestion
that
t h e F r e e S t a t e Government was
of t h e B r i t i s h Government, had t o
extent reacted adversely
on p u b l i c o p i n i o n .
o f S t a t e a p p e a l e d to any o f h i s
speeches
Cabinet
The
some
Secretary
c o l l e a g u e s who w e r e m a k i n g
t o d w e l l on t h e f a c t t h a t t h e y s h o u l d a v o i d
suggestion that
any
t h e F r e e S t a t e Government was a c t i n g
British inspiration,
and t o l a y
act­
stress
on t h e f a c t
on
that
t h e y h a v e u n d e r t a k e n t h e t a s k o n t h e i r own i n i t i a t i v e .
Mr C h u r c h i l l r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h e
v.
P o u r C o u r t s h a d b e e n c a p t u r e d on t h o p r e v i o u s e v e n i n g
and
t h a t 5 3 p r i s o n e r s h a d been, t a k e n .
and
72
wounded.
10,000 r i f l e s ,
requirements
at
27 h a d b e e n k i l l e d
f
the request
4 additional
field
g u n s , and
had been f u r n i s h e d t o t h e Free S t a t e
of t h e Free S t a t e Government.
ammunition had run s h o r t ,
Mr C h u r c h i l l
forces
At o n e
h u t now t h e r e w e r e arr.plo
time
supplies.
then read a Proclamation which had
i s s u e d b y t h e F r e e S t a t e Government i n r e p l y
mation i s s u e d by t h e R e p u b l i c a n s .
general
other
to the
been
procla­
This document met
with
commendation.
Towards t h e end of t h e meeting i n f o r m a t i o n
r e c e i v e d of further
including
was
developments i n the s i t u a t i o n . a t
t h e b u r n i n g o f and a n e x p l o s i o n a t t h e F o u r
Dublin,
Courts.
2 i2 'J
lISSIOM OP
TO
, LEAGUE
NATIONS .
(S)
The C a b i n e t
h a d b e f o r e their; a r e p o r t
t i o n h o l d a t 10, D o w n i n g S t r e e t ,
of a
on J u n e 31, 1923, i n
r e g a r d t o t h e a d m i s s i o n o f Germany t o t h e L e a g u e
Nations .
After the Acting
Affairs
had a m p l i f i e d
Secretary
Conversa
of S t a t e f o r
the reasons given in the
r e p o r t i n f a v o u r o f t h e a d m i s s i o n o f Germany t o
League, the Cabinet unanimously agreed
of
Foreign
above
the
-
To a p p r o v e t h e g e n e r a l p o l i c y r e c o m m e n d e d ,
which i s s e t forth i n the r e p o r t in the
fo11owing t e r m s : ­
(a)
That i t w a s d e s i r a b l e t h a t Germany s h o u l d
b e a d m i t t e d a s a Member o f t h e A s s e m b l y
a n d o f t h e C o u n c i l o f t h e L e a g u e of N a t i o n s t
(b)
That a d i r e c t p r o p o s a l on t h e s e l i n e s t o
t h e F r e n c h . G o v e r n m e n t w a s bound t o l e a d
to a r e f u s a l :
( c ) That t h e most-hopeful p l a n a p p e a r e d to b e
t o l e t t h e French. G o v e r n m e n t know t h a t w e
were g e n e r a l l y in favour of t h e admission
o f Germany t o t h e L e a g u e , w i t h o u t e n t e r i n g
i n t o d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h them o n t h e s u b j e c t :
( d ) That the A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
Foreign A f f a i r s should d i s c u s s w i t h the
B r i t i s h A m b a s s a d o r i n P a r i s , now on a
.
v i s i t t o t h i s c o u n t r y , t h e b e s t manner o f
a p p r o a c h i n g t h e F r e n c h G o v e r n m e n t on t h e
subject:
i
(e)
That t h e A c t i n g S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r
Foreign Affairs should authorise the
B r i t i s h Ambassador i n B e r l i n to encourage
t h e German G o v e r n m e n t t o a p p l y f o r m e m b e r ­
s h i p of the League of Nations before the
n e x t m e e t i n g of t h e A s s e m b l y , a n d t o l e t
t h e German G o v e r n m e n t know t h a t t h e r e p r e ­
s e n t a t i v e s o f t h e B r i t i s h G o v e r n m e n t on
the L e a g u e w o u l d s u p p o r t the a d m i s s i o n o f
Germany t o m e m b e r s h i p o f t h e C o u n c i l .
g.m STATES
KIP SUBSIDY
nil.
Co)
The Cabinet had before them, a Memorandum by the
President of the Board of Trade on the subject of the
United States Ship Subsidy Bill (Paper G.P.-4032).
The President of the Board of Trade made a statement
to the Cabinet summarising in detail the proposals eon­
tained in the Memorandum.
The Cabinet were informed that there was opposition
to the Bill in the United States of America, and that this
opposition would be weakened by any British threat of
retaliation.
Considerable discussion took place as to what would
be the effect of retaliation, and whether it would affectBritish or United States shipping the move
adversely.
Some stress was laid on the fact that the passage of the
Bill would result in retaliatory measures against American
shipping being taken in other countries, which measures
might operate against British shipping.
This would result
in chaos similar to that which existed already in regard
to the exchanges.
' . The Cabinet agreed —­
(a) That any policy of retaliation or threat
of retaliation against the United States
of America should only be embarked upon
with the utmost caution and after exhaust­
iye enquiry:
(b) That the British Ambassador in Washington
(the Right Hon. Sir -Auckland Geddes), who
is due to visit this country wit?ain a short
time, should be invited to attend a meeting
of the Cabinet in order to advise on the
question:
(e) That the President of the Board of Trade
should be invited to furnish the Cabinet
with further information regarding the
approximate number of British ships call­
ing at United States ports, and of United
- States ships calling at ports in the British
Empire, and also with a rough, estimate of
the reciprocal damage which would be inflicted
on British and American shipping respectively
by the adoption of a policy of retaliation.
S8EBICAIJ
(4) With, r e f e r e n c e
Acting
Secretary
Cabinet h i s
draft
t o C a b i n e t 55 ( S S ) , C o n c l u s i o n 6 ,
of S t a t e for Foreign A f f a i r s
quoted above,
for
Powers.
t h e s u g g e s t i o n w a s made t h a t t h e p r o p o s e d
should s t a t e
specifically
be p r e p a r e d to f o r e g o
as part
Allied
of a g e n e r a l
that
the B r i t i s h
Great B r i t a i n ' s
scheme f o r
t h e whole
despatch
Government would
reparation
claims
the l i q u i d a t i o n of
inter-
d e b t s , and a l s o t h a t e m p h a s i s s h o u l d be l a i d i n
d e s p a t c h on t h e f a c t
t h a t Great B r i t a i n had borrowed
d e b t t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Government i n o r d e r t h a t
might be a b l e
The
(a)
with
transmission
Having r e g a r d t o t h e importance of covering
field,
the
of a despatch, prepared i n accordance
t h e C o n c l u s i o n of t h e Cabinet
to the debtor
read to
the
to lend i t
Cabinet agreed
to h e r other
the
her
she
Allies.
­
To a p p r o v e g e n e r a l l y t h e t e r m s o f t h e
d r a f t despatch to the debtor Powers,
s u b j e c t to the following c o n s i d e r a t i o n s : ­
(i)
That t h e d r a f t d e s p a t c h s h o u l d c o n t a i n
a s t a t e m e n t to t h e e f f e c t t h a t Great
B r i t a i n ' s d e b t t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s \?as
i n c u r r e d for the s o l e purpose of
financing her other A l l i e s :
(ii)
That 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
a n d t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War
should f u r n i s h the Acting S e c r e t a r y
of S t a t e f o r F o r e i g n A f f a i r s w i t h
material for a paragraph indicating
t h e w i l l i n g n e s s o f t h e B r i t i s h Gov­
ernment to forego Great B r i t a i n ' s
r e p a r a t i o n claims as part of a g e n e r a l
scheme f o r l i q u i d a t i n g i n t e r - A l l i e d
debts:
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e f o r I n d i
( b ) That ,the S a p r e t j a r y of S t a t e for t h e C o l o n i e s and t h e ^
shouXo/uafce
t o c o n s u l t t h e Dominions
and I n d i a on t h e p o l i c y embodied i n t h e
d e s p a t c h , a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y on t h e p r o p o s e d
r e f e r e n c e s to r e p a r a t i o n s , , w i t h a v i e w t o
as c e r t a x n i n g t h e i r v i e w s :
(c)
That when t h e d e s p a t c h w a s t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e
d e b t o r P o w e r s , a copy o f i t s h o u l d be s e n t
u n o f f i c i a l l y t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s Government.,
9 i
-^ILIAN
UlBlTION.
( 5 ) The Cabinet were informed that it was highly
desirable that, if possible, the British. Navy should be
adequately represented at the forthcoming opening of the
Exhibition at Rio de Janeiro.
The Cabinet agreed —That His Majesty's Ships "HOOD" and
"REPULSE" should be sent to Rio de
Janeiro, and that the extra cost of
fuel (estimated at £50,000) should be
charged against General Savings on
Mavy "Votes, and should not be"charged
against the Fuelling Vote.
r
6.*
With r e f e r e n c e t o Cabinet
B&(22)
Minute 3 ,
t h e Cabinet had b e f o r e th&m t h e 116th Conclusions o f
tho HOSJO A f f a i r s Oosiaittoo, Minute 1 , and a l s o a
Memorandum by tho M i n i s t e r of Labour (C*2?*407&) on
Trade Board p o l i o s
The Cabinet a g r e e d
( a ) to dofor c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e quest ion
u n t i l a f u t u r e Meeting, i n o r d e r t o
g i r o saore t i m e f o r t h e c o n s i d e r a t i o n
of t h e M i n i s t e r of L a b o u r ^ Memorandum.
lb) t h a t tho P r e s i d e n t of t h e Board of
Trade s h o u l d o a r o f u l l y examine t h e
ilomoraadum from tho p o i n t of view of
t h e t r a d e r and a d v i s e t h e Cabinet a s t o
i t s general effect.
ML
*?*
With r e f e r e n c e t o Cabinet 34(S2)
Conclusion
r e l a t i v e t o t h e s e t t i n g u p of two C a b i n e t
to consider fighting
5
Committees
S e r v i c e s e s t i m a t e s and the
Civil
S e r v i c e e s t i m a t e s f o r 1923/84, t h e Cabinet agreed
t h a t , t h e p e r s o n n e l of t h e two Committees
should he modified hy t h e S e c r e t a r y of
S t a t e f o r I n d i a t a k i n g t h e p l a c e of t h e
l l i n l s t e r o f H e a l t h on t h e C i v i l S e r v i c e
Cotmuittee, and t h e M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h
t a k i n g t h e p l a c e of t h a S e c r e t a r y of
State
India.on the Fighting Services
Committee.
­
0 1 1 0 DISEASES
8*
With r e f e r e n c e t o C a b i n e t 1 6 ( £ 2 ) , ( 5 )
(e)
t h e C a b i n e t had tinder c o n s i d e r a t i o n a Memorandum
by t h o M i n i s t e r o f H e a l t h ( 0 t £ * 4 Q S 9 ) r e l a t i v e
the present s i t u a t i o n regarding epidemics
Russia.
to
in
Araong o t h e r s u g g e s t i o n s , t h e Memorandum
urged t h a t Great B r i t a i n should o f f e r
t o raafce a
maximua c o n t r i b u t i o n o f £ 3 0 2 , 5 0 0 t o t h e
Spidemies
Fund t o h e r a i s e d b y t h e l e a g u e o f S a t i o n s .
SSMV C a b i n e t a g r e e d
­
t o r e f e r f o r s e t t l e m e n t t h e s u r e s t ions
c o n t a i n e d i n t h e M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h ' s
Memorandum (C*p*4OS0) t o t h e C h a n c e l l o r
o f the Fxehecuor and the M i n i s t e r o f
Health.
*6*
9*
The C a b i n e t h a d under eon s i d a r a t 4 en I f e i i o r s i t d s
b y t h e Pre s i Sent of the Board of Education
and C . i . 4 0 6 5 ) on t h e s u b j e c t of t h e r o e o m e a d a t l o n e
;
c o n t a i n e d i n t h e ' S e p o r t of t h o l o y a l Goaasiosion on
Oxford and Cambridge U n i v e r s i t i e s .
The Cabinet were
informed t h a t t h o o n l y u n a v o i d a b l e d i f f i c u l t y t o ho
met r e l a t e d t o t h e q u e s t i o n of t h o / ^ a n e h i s e m e u t of
women at Cambridge, and t h a t i t was proposed i n t h e
e v e n t o f a c l a u s e boiag moved In C o m m i t t e e of t h e
House
making i t s n i n s t r u c t i o n to t h e Commission t o p r o v i d e
f o r t h e a d m i s s i o n of women, t h a t t h e M i n i s t e r i n charge
of t h e B i l l should i n d i c a t e t h e re&sozua \*ray t h o S e v e r n ­
meat d e s i r e d t o l e a v e t h i s m a t t e r for t h e d e c i s i o n of
t h e U n i v e r s i t y , but announcing a t t h e s a m e time t h a t
was. not i n t e n d e d to put on t h e Government Whips.
Tho Cabinet a g r e e d
­
to r e f e r the q u e s t i o n of the a t t i t u d e t o
bo adopted by the Government r e g a r d i n g
the caafraaehlsenont of women a t Cambridge
t o t h e Acting S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for
Foreign A f f a i r s and the P r e s i d e n t of t h e
Board of Education f o r d e c i s i o n .
It
j
(10) The Cabinet took note of the following
(a) Committee of,Home Affairs No. 114, held
on June IS, 1922, at 4,0 p.m.t­
(l)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Parliamentary Business.
Milk and Dairies Bill.
Public Works Loans Bill.
Solicitors Bill.
Law Property Bill.
Exports Credits Bill.
Burgh Registers (Scotland) Bill.
British Nationality and Status of
Aliens Bill.
T
(Appendix
I..)
(b) Indemnity (Ireland) Bill, 1922.
Mote by the Secretary, Cabinet
(Paper CP.-4068) .
(Appendix. .11") .
(e) Conference of Ministers held on June 22,
1922, at 5 p.m.t­
(l)
(3)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
The Murder of Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson.
Measures of Police Protection.
Search of Suspects.
Precautions in regard to British Troops in
Ireland.
Arrest of Suspected Persons.
Situation in the Pour Courts in Dublin.
Arrangements for the Funeral of FieldMarshal Sir Henry Wilson.
Appreciation of the Sex-vices of the Police.
Motor Cars for Ministers.
(Appendix.Ill).
V
\ Whitehall Gardens, S.W.1,
June SO, 1922.
9
9
9
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's jGrovgrmfcnt.]
Printed
for the Cabinet.
June
1922.
SECRET.
H.A.C. 114th. Conclusions.
CABINET.
COMMITTEE
OF
HOME
AFFAIRS.
114.
Conclusions
of a Meeting of the above Committee, held in the Ministers'
Conference
Boom, House of Commons, S.W., on Tuesday, June 1 3 , 1 9 2 2 , at 4 P.M.
Present:
,
The R i g h t Hon. H. A. L. FISHER, M . P . , P r e s i d e n t of t h e Board of Education
(in the
Chair).
The R i g h t Hon. E. SHORTT, K . C . , M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e for Home Affairs.
The R i g h t Hon. S. BALDWIN, M . P . , P r e sident of t h e B o a r d of Trade.
The R i g h t Hon. S i r ALFRED MOND, B a r t . ,
M . P . , Minister of H e a l t h .
The R i g h t Hon. S i r ARTHUR GRIFFITHBOSCAWEN, M.P., Minister of A g r i c u l t u r e
and Fisheries.
The R i g h t Hon. R. MUNRO, K . C . , M . P . ,
S e c r e t a r y for Scotland.
The R i g h t Hon. t h e EARL OF CRAWFORD
AND BALCARRES, K . T . , F i r s t Commissioner, His Majesty's Office of W o r k s .
The R i g h t H o n . F . G. KELLAWAY, M . P . ,
Postmaster-General.
S i r LESLIE SCOTT, K . C . , M . P . ,
General
Solicitor­
The following w e r e also present :
Lieutenant-Colonel t h e R i g h t Hon. LESLIE
O. WILSON, C.M.G., D . S . O . , M.P., J o i n t
P a r l i a m e n t a r y S e c r e t a r y , Treasury.
S i r C. A . MONTAGUE BARLOW, K . B . E . ,
L L . D . , ivl.P., P a r l i a m e n t a r y S e c r e t a r y ,
M i n i s t r y of Labour.
Sir CLAUD SCHUSTER, K . C . B . , C . V . O . ,
K . C . , P e r m a n e n t S e c r e t a r y , L o r d Chancellor's Office.
( F o r Conclusion 4.)
S i r W . A. ROBINSON, K . C . B . , C . B . E . , F i r s t
S e c r e t a r y , M i n i s t r y of H e a l t h .
(For
Conclusion 2.)
S i r A . D . HALL, K . C . B . , F . R . S . , Chief
Scientific A d v i s e r , M i n i s t r y of A g r i c u l t u r e and Fisheries. ( F o r Conclusion 2.)
Mr. M. L. GWYER, Solicitor and L e g a l
A d v i s e r , M i n i s t r y of H e a l t h .
( F o r Con­
clusion 2.)
Sir A . V . SYJVIONDS, K . C . B . , Second S e c r e ­
t a r y , M i n i s t r y of H e a l t h . (For Conclu­
sion 2.)
M r . PEMBROKE W I C K S , Secretary
to the
Mr. T. ST. QUINTIN HILL, Principal,
Committee.
Cabinet.
2
Parliamentary
Business.
1. The Chairman d r e w a t t e n t i o n t o t h e l a r g e n u m b e r of B i l l s
w h i c h w e r e u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n e i t h e r i n P a r l i a m e n t or before
t h e Committee, in addition t o various other B i l l s in preparation
i n t h e D e p a r t m e n t s , a n d i n v i t e d t h e o b s e r v a t i o n s of t h e Chief
W h i p o n t h e a m o u n t of p a r l i a m e n t a r y t i m e a v a i l a b l e for t h e i r
discussion.
Colonel Leslie Wilson s t a t e d t h a t b e t w e e n M o n d a y , 1 9 t h J u n e
a n d 3rd A u g u s t there were o n l y t w e n t y - e i g h t full parliamentary
d a y s a n d f o u r h a l f d a y s . Of t h e s e a t l e a s t e l e v e n n r a s t be a l l o t t e d
f o r S u p p l y a n d 7 for t h e r e m a i n i n g s t a g e s of t h e F i n a n c e B i l l ,
w h i c h w o u l d l e a v e n o t m o r e t h a n t e n full d a y s a n d f o u r half
d a y s for l e g i s l a t i o n . Of t h e l e g i s l a t i o n , of w h i c h t h e W h i p s h a d
a l r e a d y had. n o t i c e , t h e m o s t c o n t r o v e r s i a l w a s t h e T e a c h e r s '
Superannuation Bill and the Economy Bill.
If t h e C o m m i t t e e
s t a g e of t h e T e a c h e r s ' S u p e r a n n u a t i o n B i l l w a s t a k e n on t h e
floor of t h e H o u s e , t h a t w o u l d o c c u p y t w o d a y s , a n d h e h o p e d it
w o u l d be p o s s i b l e f o r i t t o he s e n t u p s t a i r s . I n a d d i t i o n t o t h a t ,
there were Supplementary Estimates, the regulations under
P a r t 2 of t h e S a f e g u a r d i n g of I n d u s t r i e s A c t , t h e d e b a t e on
C a t t l e E m b a r g o , t h e r e p o r t s t a g e s of s e v e r a l B i l l s , s e v e r a l m i n o r
B i l l s n o w in t h e Lords, and v a r i o u s other m a t t e r s . The debate
on t h e S u m m e r Time Bill w o u l d also occupy some time.
This
w a s a p a r t a l t o g e t h e r f r o m d e b a t e s on I r e l a n d a n d t h e p r o p o s e d
loan to Northern Ireland.
He would, therefore, ask the
C o m m i t t e e n o t to a u t h o r i s e a n y f u r t h e r l e g i s l a t i o n e x c e p t of a
clearly non-contentious character. W i t h the present programme
i t w o u l d a l m o s t c e r t a i n l y be n e c e s s a r y for t h e H o u s e t o s i t u p
t i l l t h e 1 0 t h o r 1 3 t h A u g u s t , u n l e s s s o m e of t h e B i l l s w e r e
dropped.
The Chairman
d r e w t h e a t t e n t i o n of t h e C o m m i t t e e t o t h e
d e s i r a b i l i t j of p a s s i n g a B i l l s e t t i n g u p a S t a t u t o r y C o m m i s s i o n
t o g i v e effect t o t h e r e c o m m e n d a t i o n of t h e R o y a l C o m m i s s i o n in
Oxford and Cambridge.
r
The Parliamentary
Secretary to the Ministry
of Labour d r e w
a t t e n t i o n t o t h e p r o p o s e d B i l l t o a m e n d t h e l a w r e l a t i n g to
T r a d e B o a r d s , w h i c h w a s a b o u t t o be c o n s i d e r e d b y a S u b Committee
of t h e H o m e A f f a i r s
Committee, and
would
u n d o u b t e d l y be c o n t r o v e r s i a l .
The President of the Board of Trade s t a t e d t h a t t h e B o a r d
of T r a d e h a d o n e or t w o B i l l s in t h e H o u s e of L o r d s , a n d a p a r t
from t h a t there w a s a Bill relating to W e i g h t s and Measures,
w h i c h w a s r e a d y for i n t r o d u c t i o n in t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s , b u t
c o u l d , if n e c e s s a r y , b e p o s t p o n e d .
The Secretary
for Scotland s t a t e d t h a t t h e S c o t t i s h Office
w e r e v e r y a n x i o u s t h a t t h e S c o t t i s h A l l o t m e n t B i l l s h o u l d be
i n t r o d u c e d i n t h e H o u s e of L o r d s t h a t w e e k , a n d i t w a s e s s e n t i a l
t h a t i t s h o u l d b e p a s s e d if t h e E n g l i s h m e a s u r e b e c a m e l a w .
There were certain other Scottish Bills, such as the University
of S c o t l a n d B i l l , b u t t h e y w e r e n o n - c o n t e n t i o u s .
The Minister
of Health s t a t e d t h a t t h e M i l k
passed t h a t Session in order to p r e v e n t the coming
of t h e M i l k a n d D a i r i e s A c t of 1 9 1 5 , a m e a s u r e
t h r o w h e a v y expenditure both on t h e Exchequer
authorities.
The Committee agreed—
That
B i l l m u s t be
into operation
which would
a n d t h e local
n o f u r t h e r l e g i s l a t i o n of a c o n t r o v e r s i a l c h a r a c t e r
should be authorised except w h e r e it w a s absolutely
n e c e s s a r y for r e a s o n s of s t a t u t o r y u r g e n c y .
Milk and Dairies
B i l L
2. T h e C o m m i t t e e h a d u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n a M e m o r a n d u m
b y t h e M i n i s t r y of H e a l t h ( C P . 4 0 0 4 ) c o v e r i n g a d r a f t of a B i l l
to a m e n d " The Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) A c t , 1915."
I t appeared t h a t the A c t referred to m u s t come into
operation not later than the 1st September unless amended by
f u r t h e r l e g i s l a t i o n , a n d w o u l d i n v o l v e t h e d e t a i l e d c o n t r o l of t h e
p r o d u c t i o n of m i l k o n f a r m s , t h r o w i n g a n a d d i t i o n a l b u r d e n o n
t h e f a r m e r a n d c a u s i n g e x p e n s e t o t h e C o u n t y C o u n c i l s of s o m e
t h r e e - q u a r t e r s of a . m i l l i o n p o u n d s p e r a n n u m o n i n s p e c t i n g
staff.
I t w o u l d a l s o e n t a i l t h e i s s u e of a T u b e r c u l o s i s O r d e r
p r o v i d i n g f o r t h e d e s t r u c t i o n of t u b e r c u l o u s c a t t l e w i t h corn­
p e n s a t i o n t o t h e f a r m e r s , of w h i c h t h e c o s t t o t h e E x c h e q u e r
a n d t o l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s w o u l d a m o u n t t o n e a r l y ,£1,000,000 p e r
a n n u m in a few years' t i m e .
I t w a s also" n e c e s s a r y t o m a k e
p r o v i s i o n for t h e e x p i r y of t w o O r d e r s i s s u e d b y t h e l a t e M i n i s t r y
of F o o d r e l a t i n g t o a d u l t e r a t i o n of m i l k a n d l i c e n c e s for t h e s a l e
of c e r t i f i e d m i l k .
The Minister
of Health s t a t e d t h a t i n t h e p r e s e n t f i n a n c i a l
conditions it w a s impossible to expect t h e c o u n t r y to t o l e r a t e
t h e u n i v e r s a l i n s p e c t i o n of f a r m s w h i c h w o u l d be i n v o l v e d u n d e r
t h e A c t of 1 9 1 5 . B y w a y of c o m p r o m i s e he t h e r e f o r e p r e s e n t e d
t h e c l a u s e s of a n a m e n d i n g B i l l t o t h e f o l l o w i n g e f f e c t : —
(a.)
(&.)
(c.)
[d.)
(e.)
To s u s p e n d o p e r a t i o n of t h e 1 9 1 5 A c t f o r t h r e e y e a r s
from t h e 1st September.
To g i v e p o w e r t o a l o c a l a u t h o r i t y t o r e f u s e t o r e g i s t e r
or remove from t h e register a n y cowkeeper, d a i r y m a n
o r m i l k s e l l e r w h e r e s u c h a p p e a r s t o be i n t h e
i n t e r e s t s of p u b l i c h e a l t h , w i t h t h e r i g h t of a p p e a l
t o a c o u r t of s u m m a r y j u r i s d i c t i o n .
T o e m p o w e r l o c a l a u t h o r i t i e s t o i s s u e l i c e n c e s for t h e
s a l e of certified m i l k , s u b j e c t o n l y t o a b a c t e r i a l
t e s t a n d i n s p e c t i o n of c o w s i n s t e a d of t h e p r e s e n t
tuberculin test.
This provision w o u l d bring t h e
p r o d u c t i o n of G r a d e A m i l k w i t h i n t h e c o m p e t e n c e of
any decent farmer.
T o m a k e i t a p e n a l offence k n o w i n g l y t o s e l l o r offer t h e
m i l k of a c o w s u f f e r i n g f r o m t u b e r c u l o s i s of t h e
udder.
T o p r o h i b i t t h e a d d i t i o n of c o l o u r i n g m a t t e r o r w a t e r t o
m i l k i n t e n d e d for sale.
The Minister
of Health
c o n t i n u e d t h a t i t w o u l d be i m ­
possible simply to repeal t h e 1 9 1 5 A c t owing to the great
controversy such a proposal w o u l d give rise to.
The Secretary
for Scotland
stated t h a t the Scottish Board
of H e a l t h w e r e i n a g r e e m e n t w i t h t h e m a i n p r o v i s i o n s of t h e
Bill.
H e d e s i r e d a n a m e n d m e n t of t h e S c o t t i s h c l a u s e . I t w a s
desirable that a tuberculin test should continue in Scotland and
t h e p r o p o s a l s i n t h e B i l l r e l a t i n g t o certified m i l k w o u l d be
regarded as retrograde. It w a s also proposed t h a t L o c a l
A u t h o r i t i e s p r o v i d i n g m i l k u n d e r t h e p o w e r s of t h e D e f e n c e of
t h e R e a l m A c t R e g u l a t i o n s s h o u l d be e n t i t l e d t o c o n t i n u e t h e
supply.
The Minister
of Agriculture
agreed t h a t simply to repeal t h e
1 9 1 5 A c t w o u l d be i m p o s s i b l e . A l l t h e m o r e p r o g r e s s i v e f a r m e r s
w e r e i n f a v o u r of s u p p l y i n g m i l k of b e t t e r q u a l i t y .
It was, how­
ever, n e c e s s a r y to proceed slowly i n order not to d i m i n i s h t h e
supply. He had no objections to t h e proposals p u t forward by
t h e M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h . H e s u g g e s t e d t h a t i n C l a u s e 2 (i) t h e
power to a Local A u t h o r i t y to remove from t h e register should
be l i m i t e d t o p u r v e y o r s a n d s h o u l d n o t e x t e n d t o c o w - k e e p e r s o r
dairymen.
S o m e discussion took placo on t h e point w h e t h e r registra­
t i o n of c o w - k e e p e r s w a s n o t a l r e a d y c o v e r e d b y t h e D a i r i e s Order
of 1 8 8 5 .
The C o m m i t t e e agreed—
T o a p p r o v e t h e D r a f t B i l l a n d t o a u t h o r i s e t h e M i n i s t e r of
H e a l t h to arrange for its introduction i n P a r l i a m e n t ,
s u b j e c t t o t h e a m e n d m e n t of t h e S c o t t i s h C l a u s e in t h e
s e n s e desired, by t h e S e c r e t a r y f o r S c o t l a n d , t h e p o i n t
r a i s e d b y t h e M i n i s t e r of A g r i c u l t u r e o n C l a u s e 2 (i) t o
be d i s c u s s e d b e t w e e n t h e M i n i s t e r of A g r i c u l t u r e a n d
t h e M i n i s t e r of H e a l t h .
Public Works
Loans Bill.
3. T h e C o m m i t t e e h a d u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n a n o t e b y t h e
F i n a n c i a l S e c r e t a r y to the T r e a s u r y ( C P . 4015) covering a draft
of a B i l l t o g r a n t m o n e y for t h e p u r p o s e of c e r t a i n local l o a n s
o u t of t h e local l o a n s fund.
To a p p r o v e t h e d r a f t B i l l a n d t o a u t h o r i s e t h e F i n a n c i a l
Secretary to the Treasury to introduce it in the House
of C o m m o n s .
Solicitors' Bill.
' .
4. T h e C o m m i t t e e h a d u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h e d r a f t of a
Bill to make further provision w i t h respect to t h e qualification
of p e r s o n s p r o p o s i n g t o b e c o m e s o l i c i t o r s .
T h e g e n e r a l o b j e c t of t h e B i l l w a s t o i m p r o v e t h e a r r a n g e ­
m e n t s under which a person w h o desires to qualify a s a solicitor
should obtain his education.
The B i l l h a d been prepared in close c o n s u l t a t i o n w i t h
a n d l a r g e l y a t t h e s u g g e s t i o n of t h e L a w S o c i e t y w h o s t r o n g l y
supported it.
Sir Claude Schuster
stated t h a t the Solicitors' Managing
C l e r k s ' A s s o c i a t i o n desired t o h a v e m o r e s a f e g u a r d s for t h e m ­
s e l v e s i n t h e B i l l a n d a c c o r d i n g l y t h e i r a t t i t u d e m i g h t g i v e rise
t o s o m e d i s c u s s i o n i n t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s .
The Chairman
e n q u i r e d , h a v i n g r e g a r d t o t h e c o n g e s t i o n of
b u s i n e s s in P a r l i a m e n t , w h a t d e g r e e of u r g e n c y a t t a c h e d t o t h e
measure.
Sir
Claude
Schuster
s t a t e d t h a t t h e B i l l c o u l d n o t be
r e g a r d e d a s a n y m o r e u r g e n t t h a n i t h a d been for s o m e t i m e ,
b u t t h e L a w S o c i e t y w e r e p r e s s i n g for i t .
The Committee agreed—
(1.) T o a u t h o r i s e t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of E d u c a t i o n
t o a r r a n g e for t h e i n t r o d u c t i o n of t h e S o l i c i t o r s B i l l
i n t h e H o u s e of L o r d s on t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t it
s h o u l d n o t b e p r o c e e d e d w i t h in t h e H o u s e of
C o m m o n s if t i m e did n o t p e r m i t ;
(2.) T h a t t h e S o l i c i t o r - G e n e r a l s h o u l d h a v e c h a r g e of the
B i l l i n t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s .
Law Property Bill.
5. The Solicitor-General
r a i s e d a p o i n t i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h the
L a w of P r o p e r t y B i l l r e f e r r e d t o i n h i s l e t t e r t o t h e C h a i r m a n
( C P . 4 0 0 5 ) , f r o m w h i c h i t a p p e a r e d t h a t in t h e d i s c u s s i o n s on
t h e L a w of P r o p e r t y B i l l h e h a d p r o v i s i o n a l l y a c c e p t e d an
a m e n d m e n t d e l e t i n g a p r o v i s i o n of t h e T r a d e U n i o n A c t , 1 8 7 1 ,
b y w h i c h a T r a d e s U n i o n is p r e c l u d e d f r o m b u y i n g o r leasing
l a n d of a g r e a t e r e x t e n t t h a n o n e a c r e . H e d e s i r e d t h e a u t h o r i t y
of t h e H o m e A f f a i r s C o m m i t t e e t o c o n f i r m t h i s p r o p o s a l .
The Committee agreed—
To approve t h e action t a k e n b y t h e Solicitor-General.
Exports Credits
Bill-
6. T h e C o m m i t t e e h a d u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n a M e m o r a n d u m
b y t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e B o a r d of T r a d e r e l a t i n g t o a B i l l t o
amend the Overseas Trade Credits and Insurance A c t s 1 9 2 0 - 2 1 ,
i n w h i c h i t w a s p r o p o s e d t h a t t h e d a t e on w h i c h t h e B o a r d of
T r a d e m i g h t e n t e r i n t o a n a g r e e m e n t to give g u a r a n t e e s i n
r e s p e c t of b u s i n e s s t r a n s a c t i o n s s h o u l d be d e e m e d t o be t h e d a t e
on w h i c h t h e g u a r a n t e e s w e r e given, w h e t h e r t h e A g r e e m e n t
p r o v i d e d for t h e g i v i n g of g u a r a n t e e s i n r e s p e c t of specific
t r a n s a c t i o n s or for t h e g i v i n g of g u a r a n t e e s g e n e r a l l y in r e s p e c t
of t r a n s a c t i o n s u p t o a specified a m o u n t .
It appeared that the question had arisen whether the date
of t h e g i v i n g of a g u a r a n t e e s h o u l d b e t h e d a t e o n w h i c h t h e
D e p a r t m e n t g a v e i t s s a n c t i o n or t h e d a t e o n w h i c h t h e t r a n s ­
a c t i o n w a s a c t u a l l y m a d e . T h e L a w Officers h a d a d v i s e d t h a t
i n t h e c a s e of a s y s t e m of g e n e r a l c r e d i t s t h e d a t e of t h e a c t u a l
t r a n s a c t i o n m u s t b e t h e o p e r a t i v e d a t e for t h e p u r p o s e of t h e .
Act.
U n d e r t h e p r o v i s i o n s of t h e A c t s n o f r e s h g u a r a n t e e s
c o u l d be g i v e n a f t e r t h e 8 t h S e p t e m b e r .
A n agreement to give
g u a r a n t e e s u s u a l l y c o v e r e d a p e r i o d of s i x m o n t h s . C o n s e q u e n t l y
a n y t r a n s a c t i o n s t a k i n g place a f t e r t h e 8 t h S e p t e m b e r w o u l d n o t
be c o v e r e d a l t h o u g h t h e D e p a r t m e n t m i g h t h a v e a g r e e d t o g i v e
t h e i r g u a r a n t e e before t h a t d a t e . I t w a s t h e o b j e c t of t h e B i l l
t o c u r e t h i s defect.
It was understood t h a t the Treasury
concurred in t h e proposal.
The Committee agreed—
T o a p p r o v e t h e d r a f t B i l l a n d t o a u t h o r i s e t h e P r e s i d e n t of
t h e B o a r d of T r a d e t o a r r a n g e for i t s i n t r o d u c t i o n i n
, ' Parliament.
Burgh Registers
(Scotland) Bill.
7. T h e C o m m i t t e e h a d u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h e d r a f t of a
B i l l ( C P . 4 0 0 7 ) t o p r o v i d e f o r t h e d i s c o n t i n u a n c e of B u r g h
R e g i s t e r s of S a s i n e s i n S c o t l a n d a n d f o r t h e r e g i s t r a t i o n of w r i t s
in t h e a p p r o p r i a t e d i v i s i o n of t h e g e n e r a l r e g i s t e r of S a s i n e s
relating to land, which writs, under t h e present practice, are
recorded in the burgh registers.
The Committee agreed—
To approve the draft Bill a n d to a u t h o r i s e t h e S e c r e t a r y for
Scotland to arrange for its introduction in the H o u s e
of L o r d s on t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t i t s h o u l d n o t b e
p r o c e e d e d w i t h i n t h e H o u s e of C o m m o n s if t i m e w o u l d
not permit.
British Nationality
and status of Aliens
'
1
8. T h e C o m m i t t e e h a d u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n a m e m o r a n d u m
by t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y ( C P . 4 0 1 0 ) c o v e r i n g t h e d r a f t of a B i l l t o
a m e n d t h e B r i t i s h N a t i o n a l i t y a n d S t a t u s of A l i e n s A c t s
1914-18.
I t a p p e a r e d t h a t u n d e r t h e e x i s t i n g l a w o n l y c h i l d r e n of t h e
first g e n e r a t i o n b o r n of B r i t i s h p a r e n t s i n f o r e i g n c o u n t r i e s
acquired B r i t i s h nationality.
It was proposed in the Bill t o
enable B r i t i s h n a t i o n a l i t y t o be m a i n t a i n e d t h r o u g h s u c c e s s i ^
g e n e r a t i o n s b y r e g i s t r a t i o n of t h e c h i l d r e n a t b i r t h b y a British
c o n s u l , a n d b y f u r t h e r r e g i s t r a t i o n o n a t t a i n i n g t h e a g e of 21 of
a d e c l a r a t i o n t h a t B r i t i s h n a t i o n a l i t y w a s b e i n g r e t a i n e d . The
c o n c u r r e n c e of a l l t h e D o m i n i o n G o v e r n m e n t s h a d b e e n obtained.
T h e r e w a s s t r o n g d e m a n d for t h e B i l l w h i c h w a s non­
controversial.
The Committee agreed—
T o a p p r o v e t h e d r a f t of t h e B r i t i s h N a t i o n a l i t y B i l l , and to
a u t h o r i s e t h e H o m e S e c r e t a r y t o i n t r o d u c e i t i n the
H o u s e , of C o m m o n s .
2, Whitehall
June
Gardens, S.W.
14, 1922.
1,
o
IS IflOJIgfltT IS THE PBDPERTY OF HIS BRITAXTHIO liAJ ES TY S GO TERETE H T
T
P. 4 0 6 8 .
C A B I N E T .
^
IlTDEJaHITY (I5ZLLAND j BILL,
*!
*
1928.
(Hote by the Secretary) .
With reference to Cabinet 15(22), Conclusion
&, the Prime Minister has approved an arrangement
whereby the Indemnity (Ireland) Bill, 1922, (CP.3759)
will be introduced by the Secretary of State for
War and not by the Chief Secretary for Ireland.
As this arrangement affects a Cabinet decision
it is proposed to take note of it at the next
meeting of the Cabinet.
(Sgd o)
M.P.A. E/EKEY,
Secretary to the celi.net
, VJhitshoil OSL d e n s S .vil * ,
27th June, 1922­
m
*c DOCUMENT IP I HE PROPERTY OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT j g
jr. CONCLUSIONS of a Conference of
\ixdsters held at 1.0 I/ov ning Street, S*W.,
on Tmx*s&sqi j?2nd June, 1922, at 5,0 p ra
?
:7
t
t
? R £ S E N T: THE PRIME MINISTER (IN THE CHAIR).
The Right Hon A Chamberlain,
11Pn, Lord Privy Seal.
:he Right Hon. E. Shortt,
i;.C.,M.P., Secretary of State for
"icme Affairs *
The Right Hone W.S. CTera^chill,
1J,.P., Secretary of State for
the Colonies.
?he Right Hon. Sir L, Worthington
Evans, Bart,,M*P. Secretary of
Svcte for War (For Conclusion 5 )
s
;
3
t
a
THE FOLLOWING 7s?E ALSO PRESENT
,
The Right Hon. Sir John
Anderson, K.C.B. , Permanent
Under Secretary, Home Office,
Sir Ernley Black*ell, H o C B . ,
Assistant (Legal) Under Secretary,
torae Office,
Brigadier-General Sir W,
Kcrwcod, K. C B., Coirimissioner
of Metropolitan Police.
volonol Sir Borlase Childs,
1,0, MrG.,K.B.S.,C.B. Assistant
*o--nissioner of Police.
Colonel Carter, Scotland
M r Edward Grigs, K.C.V.O.,
d.M.G., Private Secretary to the
Prime Mini s ter
C
Yard.
A
e
It,-Col. Sir
MoPoA.
Hankey, G.C.B.
f.... * Secretary, Cabinet..
(1)
^MARSHAL ­
,'llSITIlY
The Conference met at short notice to
hlTSQlU discuss a number of" questions arising out of the murder
early in the afternoon, of Field-Marshal Sir Henry
Wilson.
At intervals during the meeting details of the
tragedy were received.
ISORES OIF
USE PROTECTION.
(2)
OSS SOME "SECRETARY informed his colleagues (1)
That the measures of Police protection
for Cabinet Ministers, which had lately
been, withdrawn on the easing of the
Irish situation, had be en re-instated;
(S) That it had been decided to. close the
Galleries of the House'of Commons..
THE PRIME MINISTER suggested that protection
... should also be given to lord Carson and Captain Charles
Craig, M.P.
JL4ECH 03?
SUSPECTS.
(3)
GEIIERAIi
E0RY 00D and COLOEEL CHILES, in reply
:r
to questions, stated that there were about thirty
dangerous Irishmen under observation by the police in
London.
These persons were mainly connected with
-the-Irish Self-Determination League, the activities of
which were mainly of a propagandist/order and were
kept separate from the military activities of the Irish
Republican Army.
It was doubtful, therefore, whether
search of these persons and their premises would throw
any light on the murder
Search they said would
they
present legal difficulties and
,/
pointed out that
the persons whose premises were searched could bring
an action against the police for entering their pre­
mises without authority-.
On the other hand, the
Conference were reminded that if the police had good
reasons for suspicion, it v as unlikely that an action
;
would be brought and much less that the case would
go against the police.
During this discussion information
from Secret Service sources was communicated by
general Horwood and read out to the Conference by
Mr.Churchill.
This indicated the probability of the
renewal ox activity and outrages by the extreme section
of the I.R.A.
The Conference felt that it was vital to follow
up Sir Henry Wilson s murder without a moment s delay
1
T
and that no steps should be neglected which might help
to clear up the situation.
It was therefore agreed
That the police should search the
premises of suspected and dangerous
persons and should effect arrests in
case of discovery of weapons or ar-y­
thing else specially suspicious.
(General KorY/ood and Colonel Childs left to
make, the necessary arrangements for this
search.)
( 4 ) The Secret Service information referred to
above contained a warning as to the danger to British
rs/\1
A 4 ^ .... ^.
S O J L C l J.V.-X o
1
I- i - -
vicuo-iVJ-li^
- 1d U U U U
t
* -X l i
TN-- I. 1 -* —
XfUUJLO.II.
In view of the situation which might be precipi­
tated by the murder of Melcl-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson,
the Conference agreed
That the Secretary of State for War
should be told that the Prime Minister
and the lord Privy Seal considered that
every possible precaution should he ta-ken
and that it would be prudent to ocKfine
British soldiers in Dublin to barracks the
same evening
0
(The Secretary was instructed to transmit this
information, to the Secretary of State for War by
telephonej which he did.
The SSCPJETAEY OP STATE FOR VOB drew the
on the telephone
Secretary's attention/to the objections which the
General
Officer
Commanding-in-Chief h a d
confining troops io b a r r a c k s ,
-an o r d e r
to
a n d asked w h e t h e r
should "be issued..
THE PRIME MIITI3TER and the 10ED PRTFY" SEAL
advised t h a t
i s s u e d to the
in
t h e circumstances an order should he
General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.
I n transmitting this latter instruction, the
Secretary understood t h a t troops should be confined
to barracks in Belfast as well as in Dublin, and
intimated this to the Secretarjr of State for War,
confirming the information in a letter.
Half-an-hour later, however, the Secretary of
State joined the Conference, and at once raised the
point as to whether t h e
instructions had been intended
to apply to Belfast a s well as to Dublin, and the
reply was in the negative.)
THE. SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR was present for the
discussion recorded in the following Conclusion.
JSSST OP
RECTED
pCHS.
. (5)
Shortly after the withdrawal of General Horwood
and Colonel Childs, COLONEL CARTER, who had been sent
T\-rr 4-Vi r^. "v-\ r\1 n s\ 4- /*%
ato
s% r*. /-i a u -rn *^v\4* rt 4-iVifi'n r\v*
a r*o ivttil *v**n r\
,
men, and had been asked by telephone to attend the
Conference on his return, arrived in the Cabinet Room w i t h
t h e documents and with the revolvers which h a d been-used.
General Horwood and Colonel Childs, having given their
instructions as to the search of the premises of s u s ­
\ected persons, returned shortly after the a r r i v r . l
of
Colonel Carter.
COLONEL CARTER then produced the two following
documents :­
(l) A printed scheme of organisation of the
Irish Republican Army, in which' reference
was made to the necessity for an organisation
in London;
(2) A typewritten letter (Appendix £$which was
read out,
She intention of -This letter
appeared to he to give to persons planning
further outrages,, particulars of the lessons
to "be derived from a previous failure.
The
letter was annotated in a good manuscript
handwriting.
The Conference learned Toy telephone that the signa­
ture of one of the prisoners to his finger-prints had
been made in an educated and good handwriting.
The
Conference agreed :­
ffiiat the various documents produced
in the aggregate provided prima facie
evidence of the probability of a con­
spiracy in london which would justify
thearrest of the suspected persons,
antfyf^fistructed General Horwood and
Colonel Childs to take immediate steps
for the arrest of suspected persons.
(Colonel Childs, under instructions
from General Horwood, withdrew
to make the necessary arrangements
for carrying out this, instruction).
olON
( b ) D u r i n g t h e d i s c u s s i o n of t h e v a r i o u s d o c u m e n t s
W POUR
.pr--S IW
r e f e r r e d to above, a t t e n t i o n was c a l l e d to the s i t u a t i o n
pTilN ­
fv.
i n t h e P o u r C o u r t s i n D u b l i n , from w h i c h a r e b e l i e v e d t o
j.0.CTin-C,
e m a n a t e t h e p r i n c i p a l p l o t s in S o u t h e r n I r e l a n d , i n
$ELAND
$JQNED TO
Northern I r e l a n d and i n t h e U n i t e d Kingdom, and w h e r e
$ON.
g (
iffBS TO
.S IRISH
^VISIONAL
it
are
i s reported considerable
armaments,
including
guns,
stored.
The C o n f e r e n c e
felt it was i n t o l e r a b l e
s i t u a t i o n s h o u l d b e a l l o w e d to c o n t i n u e ,
Provisional
Government of I r e l a n d ought
that t h i s
and that
the
t o bo p r e s s e d
deal with the matter.
I t was a l s o f e l t
of the G e n e r a l O f f i c e r
Commanding-in-Chief would be
cularly useful
in regard
After considerable
agreed
to t h i s
that
the
to
advice
part:
question..
discussion,
the
Conference
—
(a)
T h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War s h o u l d
b e a s h e d to i n v i t e t h e G e n e r a l O f f i c e r
C o m m a n d i n g - i n - O h i e f t o cones o v e r t o London
t h e sa -e d a y .
T
(Sir E d w a r d Grlgg r e t i r e d t o c o m m u n i c a t e
t h i s information to the War Office,
, but r e t u r n e d t o s a y t h a t
t h e General Officer Go remanding-in-Chief
was believed, to be at E e l l e e k , and it
w a s doubtful if/he could a r r i v e i n London
b y t h e following morning.)
t
(b)
That t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t s f o r t h e C o l o n i e s
s h o u l d d r a f t a letter to Mr C o l l i n s , s t a t i n g
that information h a d been received c o n n e c t i n g
the a s s a s s i n s of Field. Marshal S i r H e n r y
Wilson with the I , R , A . and. r e v e a l i n g t h e
exisfcence of a definite.conspiracy;
that
t h e r e was reason t o believe that prepara­
t i c n s were being made among the irregular
elements o f t h e I . R . A . to attack the l i v e s
and p r o p e r t y of B r i t i s h siibjects b o t h i n
England a n d i n U l s t e r ;
that the a m b i g u o u s
position o f t h e I . R . A . c o u l d no l o n g e r b e
i g n o r e d and t h a t i t w a s i n t o l e r a b l e that
Mr R o r y 0 C o n n o r s h o u l d , b e p e r m i t t e d to
r e m a i n w i t h h i s f o l l o w e r s in open r e b e l l i o n
i n t h e h e a r t of D u b l i n i n p o s s e s s i o n of t h e
C o u r t 8 o f J u s t i c e , a c t i n g a s a c e n t r e of
m u r d e r o r g a n i s a t i c n and. p r o p a g a n d a .
The
l e t t e r should c o n t a i n a demand t h a t t h e
Irish Provisional Government, w h i c h w a s now
supported by tue declared w i l l , o f t h e I r i s h
people, should b r i n g t h i s s t a t e o f a f f a i r s
to an e n d .
r
^ InjCriON
ipHB POUR
IN
3LIN..
ipfps
( b ) During t h e d i s c u s s i o n of t h e v a r i o u s
referred
documents
to above, a t t e n t i o n was c a l l e d to the
situation
i n t h e P o u r C o u r t s i n D u b l i n , from w h i c h a r e b e l i e v e d t o
g G.O.C-*in-C,
IRELAND
emanate t h e p r i n c i p a l p l o t s i n Southern I r e l a n d , i n
jMQNED TO
*ID0N.
N o r t h e r n I r e l a n d and I n t h e U n i t e d K i n g d o m , and w h e r e
FffER TO
i t i s r e p o r t e d c o n s i d e r a b l e armaments, i n c l u d i n g guns,
I S IRISH
$VISIONAL
a r e s to r e d .
hVERKMENT.
The C o n f e r e n c e
situation
felt
i t was i n t o l e r a b l e
should be a l l o w e d to c o n t i n u e ,
Provisional
Government of I r e l a n d o u g h t
that
and t h a t
this
the
to be p r e s s e d
deal with the matter.
I t was a l s o f e l t
of the G e n e r a l O f f i c e r
Commanding-in-Chief would be
cularly useful
After
agreed
in regard
considerable
to t h i s
that
the
to
advice
parti­
question..
discussion,
the
Conference
—
(a)
T h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War s h o u l d
be a s k e d t o i n v i t e t h e General O f f i c e r
C o m m a n d i n g - i n - C h i e f t o come o v e r t o London
t h e sa ''e d a y .
T
( S i r Edward G r i g g r e t i r e d t o c o m m u n i c a t e
t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n t o t h e War O f f i c e ,
,
but r e t u r n e d to say t h a t
the General O f f i c e r Commanding-in-Chief
w a s b e l i e v e d t o b e a t E e l l e e k , and i t
w a s d o u b t f u l i f h e c o u l d a r r i v e i n London
by t h e f o l l o w i n g m o r n i n g . )
t
( b ) T h a t t h e S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t s for- t h e C o l o n i e s
s h o u l d d r a f t a l e t t e r t o Mr C o l l i n s , s t a t i n g
t h a t i n f o r m a t i o n had b e e n r e c e i v e d c o n n e c t i n g
t h e a s s a s s i n s o f F i e l d M a r s h a l S i r Henry
W i l s o n w i t h t h e I R , A . and r e v e a l i n g t h e
e x i s t e n c e of a d e f i n i t e . c o n s p i r a c y ;
that
t h e r e was r e a s o n t o b e l i e v e t h a t p r e p a r a ­
t i p n s w e r e b e i n g made among t h e i r r e g u l a r
e l e m e n t s of t h e I . R . A . t o a t t a c k t h e l i v e s
and p r o p e r t y of B r i t i s h s u b j e c t s b o t h i n
E n g l a n d and i n U l s t e r ;
t h a t t h e ambiguous
p o s i t i o n of t h e I , R , A . c o u l d no l o n g e r b e
i g n o r e d and t h a t i t w a s I n t o l e r a b l e t h a t
Mr R o r y 0 C o n n o r s h o u l d be p e r m i t t e d t o
remain w i t h h i s f o l l o w e r s i n open r e b e l l i o n
i n t h e h e a r t of D u b l i n i n p o s s e s s i o n o f t h e
C o u r t s of J u s t i c e , a c t i n g a s a c e n t r e o f
m u r d e r o r g a n i s a t i c n and p r o p a g a n d a .
The
l e t t e r s h o u l d c o n t a i n a demand t h a t t h e
I r i s h P r o v i s i o n a l G o v e r n m e n t , w h i c h w a s now
s u p p o r t e d b y t h o d e c l a r e d w i l l of t h e I r i s h
p e o p l e , s h o u l d b r i n g t h i s s t a t e of a f f a i r s
to an e n d .
0
r
(Mr C T ^ i r e h i l l w i t h d r e w t o d r a f t - t h i s
letter.
The t e x t of the' l e t t e r w a s .
s i g n e d by t h e P r i c e M i n i s t e r a t about
3 p . m . , and. d e s p a t c h e d b y s p e c i a l
messenger to Dublin the sane e v e n i n g .
The l e t t e r i s r e p r o d u c e d i n
. Appendixlg;.
$ANGFMENTS
( '/ ) The S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e f o r War s a i d h e h a d a s c e r ­
f R THE FUNERAL
: ' '
% FIELD MARSHAL, t a i n e d t h a t L a d y W i l s o n w o u l d l i k e h e r l a t e h u s b a n d t o
[R HENRY WILSON.
be b u r i e d i n S t . P a u l ' s Cathedral..
Wilson was,
funeral..
of Course,
entitled
to a F i e l d
I f t h i s was a g r e e d t o ,
w o u l d a p p r o a c h t h e Dean of S t .
F i e l d Marshal S i r
Henry
Marshal's
t h e Ad j u t a n t - G e n e r a l
Paul's
a s soon as
possible.
The C o n f e r e n c e a g r e e d —
( a ) T h a t F i e l d M a r s h a l S i r Henry W i l s o n s h o u l d
be g i v e n a S t a t e F u n e r a l a t St.- P a u l ' s
C a t h e d r a l , and t h a t "uhs S e c r e t a r y o f S t a t e
f o r War s h o u l d make t h e n e c e s s a r y a r r a n g e ­
ment s :
(b)
PEREC I AT ION
IP THE SER­
llCfiS OF THE
'0LIOE .
That a s soon a s t h e Dean of t h e C a t h e d r a l
g a v e h i s c o n s e n t , t h e S e c r e t a r y of S t a t e
f o r War s h o u l d p a k e p u b l i c t h i s a r r a n g e m e n t .
( fj ) The C o n f e r e n c e
agreed
—
T h a t t h e Hone- S e c r e t a r y s h o u l d be a u t h o r i s e d
to a r r a n g e f o r t h e C h i e f Commissioner of
P o l i c e t o p u t i n P o l i c e O r d e r s , on b e h a l f
o f t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r and t h e C a b i n e t , t h e i r
a p p r e c i a t i o n of t h e g r e a t c o u r a g e a n d d e t e r ­
m i n a t i o n shown by t h e P o l i c e i n t h e a r r e s t
o f t h e m u r d e r e r s of F i e l d M a r s h a l S i r Henry
Wilson.
(-During t h e m e e t i n g , - i n c o r r e c t i n f o r m a t i o n
was r e c e i v e d to t h e e f f e c t t h a t one of
t h e P o l i c e m e n who h a d . b e e n s h o t h a d s u b ­
s e q u e n t l y d i e d , and t h e C h i e f Commissione:
of P o l i c e was a u t h o r i s e d to send to t h e
w i d o w , on b e h a l f of t h e P r i m e M i n i s t e r
and t h e C a b i n e t , a s u i t a b l e e x p r e s s i o n
o f c o n d o l e n c e and a p p r e c i a t i o n o f h e r
husband's bravery.- Later i n the evening,
however, i t t r a n s p i r e d that the informa­
t i o n on w h i c h t h i s d e c i s i o n w a s b a s e d
was i n c o r r e c t . )
^CP-CARS :
\Q ) At t h e c o n c l u s i o n of t h e m e e t i n g , t h e Home S e c r e t a r y
MINISTERS.
mentioned t h a t i t would be n e c e s s a r y , i n connection w i t h
. t h e schemes of p r o t e c t i o n
c e r t a i n number w i t h
for
motor-car-
Ministers,
to provide
vich w o u l d i n v o l v e
a
certain
expenditure.
The Home S e c r e t a r y w a s a s k e d t o a r r a n g e
- .,
with the Treasury.
*nrtshall G a r d e n s , S . W . 1 ,
. . . .
Juhe 2 2 , 1 9 2 3 .
this
APPENDIX I.
^SH^iJ^iMJL^^^-SS-X.?^
Prison b y W,R.
U t e r his^Arreijb. """""
Ai Chara 21.
une
ciie p e r s o n n e l
'
L homme qui porte cette missive est
r
de moi.
II m a oblige euelquefois
r
^espere cue ma mere le recevera Men...
S'il vousd.it.
quolcuechose d'une mode de faire communication avec moi.
Croyez vous a lui.
Donnez-lui un Cead Mile Pailte.
Ponncz-lui un, bon "pourboire
Regarding my accident the misfortune of falling into
an unre-connoitred trap w a s due (1) to circumstances which
upset original plans -
see
- and
110o44
(2)
to lack of time to
recover owing to H.Q. not having sent me address of Staff
Meeting 11 days previ ousljr, and hence giving me notice only
on Saturday previous to the stunt. '
I hope you ll tell the
J
Boys and particularly those who were with rne -
I was covered
like a rat in a trap. ^-However on Hie road I put down my
hand and drew,
I had an old fashioned gun.
I had only
it a n d then fire.
a second.
cock-pressed - nothing went off.
You had to cock
I thought I was
I pressed again and again.
Meanwhile two Autos were blazing at me a t 5
away,
I then saw what was wrong,
I was 1/2 cocked.
just lifted my thumb to cock, and was struck.
paralised and thumb lifeless.
and were scattered,
bolted zigzagging.
a moment
I put the gun which was damaged in a
It's no loss to the Pads.
I
By hiding in t h e fields I dodged motor­
byke searching on road home and so not off.
w.
out
A third man was on my right and I
bush in the front garden.
couldnH use it.
I
My hand was
The others had to g e t
A bullet grazed my neck.
more and I was done.
yards
He got out and left it.
iTo,61 had the
I am afraid that he was
/fuddled
f u d d l e d a n d no u s e f o r
first
instead
quick thought.
of c l e a r i n g .
come u p a n d h e w a s d o n e .
too l a t e .
All
this
that
Then l i e b o l t e d ,
caution.
cheerful.
He i s a g o o d k i d .
I didn*t f i r a at a l l .
n e r v e was not r u i t e
good s p i r i t s ,
I didn't
see
from
but
the t i m e .
of t h e a c c i d e n t t o the L a d s i
stuff
learnt
and s o n g s
Point
etc.
He w a s
out t h e
in
lessons
I hope t h e y clonH blame me.
T h e r e w a s no p r e p a r a t i o n of d e f e n c e w i t h u s , b u t
The yj.ry
t h e s o l i c i t o r xvas u n a b l e .
wou!dn t have got P. g u i l t y .
I suppose
w e r e p r e j u d i c e d or
I saw s e v e r a l p o i n t s
T
they
that
o u g h t t o h a v e b e e n p u t u p f o r h i m a n d n o t e d t h e m down f o r
appeal.
He w o u l d n H h a v e a p r j e a l e d b u t t h a t
He d i d n ' t
c a r e 2d.
He s a n g
T e l l 44 s o m e b o d y l e f t
every
! T
a P . C . from me t o a f r i e n d " o f
He s h o u l d n t h a v e
l i f t e d £1 o r £2 I b e l e i v e .
o r room.
I came h e r e w i t h
on f o o t
word.
I suppose the Truce p r e v e n t e d a r e s c u e .
o t h e r s w e l l and c h e e r f u l ,
you get p l e n t y
first.
of f o o d D G.
I have had permission
A
P.C.
an
I h e a r d was g o i n g and s e n t
but h u n g r y .
to g e t
I left
However,
I got worse a f t e r
C
m i n e named
o n l y two a s
escort,
the
to the s t a t i o n .
day.
done,
r
on o r a b o u t my c l o t h e s
the
I made h i m .
" E e l l j r of K i l l a n
B y r n e i n a c o a t i n my d i g s .
nothing was'found
his
off but f o r the C u t t e r s he h a d .
His s l a c k n e s s meant h i s r u i n .
laughing a l l
till
know
You w i l l
I hope he h a s
Orders w e r e t o c l e a r y o u r h o u s e of a l l
out.
cover
others had
He h a s a g o o d h e a r t ,
q u i c k enough.
T. w o u l d h a v e g o t
when g o i n g
but
took
He t o l d me h a d o v e r l o o k e d t h a t
of u s w e r e q u i t e
t h a t A f f w a s o n l y 17.
Young w i l l
here
arrest
at
J. down a t my own
expense.
I am i n t h e
weaker.
same h e a l t h a s I w a s . a t a r r e s t ,
Am now i n h o s p i t a l w a i t i n g
P a t h e r P. i s
in hospital.
but a
bit
f o r Pad t o s e n d J .
There i s t r o u b l e h e r e over
t i r x c r t i o n s b e t w e e n u s f r o m Gt. 3r. - B a r r e t t ,
who i s a n
dis­
old
/ man
man,McCann a n d H a r d i n g f r o m M a n c h e s t e r and m y s e l f - London ­
a n d t h e l a d s from home.
treatment.
The l a t t e r h a v o won s e p a r a t e
1 am 0,K,
We w a n t e d i t a n d s t r u c k .
now i n
hospital,
"but t h e o t h e r s a r e h a v i n g a r o u g h t i m e .
the
Sovieties
Irish
to send the s o l i c i t o r ,
Mr. McD, t o u s .
T e l l h i m t o a s k f o r M a u r i c e Cvc\., S i o r d a n ,
H a r d i n g and m y s e l f .
Crew i s O . C . h e r e .
of w a r t r e a t m e n t and
abolition
of d i s t i n c t i o n b e t w e e n u s
from E i r e -
Barrett,
MoCann,
Hiordan wants
see about a p e t i t i o n about h i s h e a l t h .
prisoners
Get
to
We a l l w a n t
immediately\
of G t . B r , a n d
those
The s o o n e r h e comes t h e b e t t e r a s McO. a n d
H a r d i n g h o v e h a d a r o u g h t i m e f o r A, w e e k s .
i n London b a c k ITS u p .
Please t e l l
o r i t i c i s o my m e t h o d s e t c .
My d e b i l i t y
Let the
the- l a d s t h a t
I. w a s r e a l l y
Irish
if
quite unfit
they
physically.
c a u s e d b y my n a s a l d i s e a s e u s e d t o make my h e a d
ache - and s t i l l
does - and I c o u l d n H
c a r r y on.
I got
absent minded,
a n d my e n e r g y w a s s a p p e d .
in any case.
And t h e s l a c k n e s s of some f e l l o w s made my
job more d i f f i c u l t .
of t h e P o r c e . "
raiss
resign
Most of t h e l i d s w e r e good a n d w o r t h y
But a f e w w e r e w a s h o u t s .
b e f o r e my a r r e s t ,
work,
I meant to
Only t h e
when I o u g h t t o h a v o been f r e e
day
t o da my
I h a d t o h u n t u p a,, w a s h o u t who h a d d e s e r t e d a n d d i s ­
him.
He w a s S m i t h Ho, 9.
rotten I felt
w i l l believe
better.
c a n t o l l y o u how­
t h e week I was a r r e s t e d .
3d I h o p e "the
However,
I t h i n k I can s a y t h a t
I left
I didn*t
My b i k e I l e f t
a t 2, W h i t e h o r s e L a n e .
t u r e and p u t i t
it,
unit
E, C r o y .
I had a punc­
i n a p r i v a t e h o u s e - t h e 75 b u s e s p a s s
door,
now t h a t b i k e i s w o r t h new o u t e r c o v e r s .
biko.
But s e l l t h e . o t h e r - a d v e r t i s e - l e t
I
do
an o r g a n i s e d and p a r t l y t r a i n e d
I s e n t word b e f o r e about t h i s , but I r e p e a t
guineas.
Lads
t h a t h a d I b e e n O.E. I w o u l d h a v e clone much
b a d l y and t h a t
behind.
I
the
I t s a good
r
i t g o a t 35
A l s o h o l d a n o t h e r s t e a p a c a o r two now w h i l s t
you
/can
can.,
But 1-g- dozen more W s or preferably. Auto..- . Ho move
,x
out of date.
Insist on a proper system.'
You arc entitled
to meeting.
Bow Is the time to reorganise-.--
If four of
you go and see the Big Fellow he would -arrange an election.
And recruits *- let 44' o.nd I concentrate on the district..'
around.
Ho;i and so on,
attention.
The pB-ce Smith comes, from needs
Put 84 and 85 there permanently.
these are suggestions only.
Of course
I now - rank as, Private-.
I
shall write more later', - Follow out our old ,plan of ,cai'opaAgn'
if things recommence'.
Then all will "be 0,E
r
o
N.B.
the ­
stunt we reconnoitred last spring - you wore on a common I
think, would get us prisoners of war treatment.
If you
can communicate "with me, send Some -,..
and Exiles and C J ,
friend, C — ;
rdy-..
.............
I shall send to Mr. B*s
Tell him to he prepared to hear from me,
I heard s/bout that curious explosion.
5 o chara,
(Signed) LIAM
j&m&mx. II
Downing Street,
22nd June, 1922
Dear Mr. Collins,
:
I am desired by His Ma, jo sty s Government to inform
1
you that documents have been found upon the murderers of
Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson which olearly connect tho
assassins with the Irish Republican Army, and which further
reveal the existence ox a definite conspiracy against the
peace and order of this country.
Other Information has
reached His ' ajesty's Government, showing that active prepar­
ations are on foot among the irregular elements of the 1,-H.A.
to resume attacks upon the lives and property of British
subjects both in England and. in Ulster.
' She ambiguous
position of the Irish Republican Army can no longer be
ignored by the British Government,
Still less can Mr. Rory
0 Connor .be permitted to remain with his followers and
1
his arsenal in open rebellion in the heart of Dublin in
possession of the Courts of Justice, organising and sending
out from this centre enterprises of murder not only in the
area of your Government but also'in the sis Northern Counties
and in Great Britain.
His majesty' ^ Government cannot con­
1
sent to a continuance of this state of things, and they feel
entitled, to ask
with.
you formally to bring it to an end forth­
Assistance lias o?:. various oc card, ons been given to
Dominions of tho Empire in cases where their authority was
challenged by rebellion on their soil;
and His M a j e s t y ^
Government are prepared to p^ace at your disposal the
necessary pieces of artillery which may be required, or
/otherwise
otherwise to assist sou as may bo arranged.
But
I an to inform jou that they regard the continued
toleration of this rebellious defiance of the
principles of the Treaty as incompatible with its
faithful execution.
They feel that now you are
supported by the declared
will of the Irish
People in favour of the. jreaty, they have a right
to expect that the necessary action will be taken
by your government without delay.
Yours etoo
f Sgd .) David Lloyd ueorgc .
otherwise to assist jou
I am to inform
JJDU
as may bo arranged.
But
that they regard the continued
toleration of this rebellions defiance of the
principles of the Treaty as incompatible with its
faithful execution^
They feel that now you are
supported by tho declared
will of the Irish
Poo pic in favour of the -Jreaty,. they have a right
to expect that the necessary action will be taken
by your government without delay.
Yours etoc
(Sgd.) David Lloyd deo