(c) crown copyright
Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/4
Image Reference:0072
[This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government.]
Printed
for the War Cabinet.
December 1 9 1 7 .
SECRET.
121
WAR CABINET, 2 9 8 .
Minutes
of a Meeting of the War Cabinet held at 1 0 , Downing
Friday, December 1 4 , 1 9 1 7 , at 1 1 A.M.
Street, S.W., on
Present :
The R i g h t Hon. A. BONAR LAW, M.P. (in the Chair).
T h e R i g h t Hon. t h e EARL CURZON OP
KEDLESTON, K G . , G . C . S . I . , G . C . I . E .
T h e R i g h t Hon. t h e
G.C.B., G.C.M.G.
T h e R i g h t Hon. G. N . BARNES, M . P .
T h e R i g h t H o n . S I R EDWARD
K . C . , M.P.
VISCOUNT MILNER,
CARSON,
Lieutenant-General the Right Hon. J . C.
SMUTS, I C C .
The following were also present :Admiral S I R J . R. JELLTCOE, G.C.B.,
O.M., G.C.V.O., F i r s t Sea Lord a n d
Chief of t h e Naval Staff (for Minutes
1 0 to 1 5 ) .
Major-General SIR G . M. W . MACDONOGH,
SIR A . C. GEDDES, K.C.B., M.P., Minister
of National Service (for Minute 19).
K.C.B., K.C.M.G., Adjutant-General t o
the Forces (for Minute 1 9 ) .
K.C.M.G., C.B., Director of Military
Intelligence (for Minutes 6 to 1 2 ) .
Lieutenant-General SIR C. F . N . M ACREADY^
. Service (for Minute 1 9 ) .
The Right Hon C. ADDISON, M.D.,.
M.P., Minister of Reconstruction (for
Minute 3).
Mr. F . G . KELLAWAY, M.P., Parliamentary
Secretary, Ministry of Munitions (for
Minute 1 9 ) .
T h e R i g h t Hon. R . MUNRO, K G , M.P.,
Secretary for Scotland (for Minute 1 ) .
Mr. P. LLOYD GREAME, Ministry of National
T h e R i g h t Hon. H . A. L. FISHER, LL.D.,
M.P., President, Board of Education
(for Minute 1 ) .
:
The R i g h t Hon. A. H . ILLINGWORTH, M.P.,
Postmaster-General (for Minute 18).
T h e R i g h t Hon. the, MARQUESS OF SALIS-
BURY, K G . , G.C.V.O., C.B. (for Minute
3).
SIR J . STRUTHERS, K.C.B., LL.D., Scotch
Education D e p a r t m e n t (for Minute 1 ) .
T h e Right H o n . G . H . ROBERTS, M.P.,
Minister of L a b o u r (for Minute 1 9 ) .
SIR D. J . SHACKLETON, K.C.B., P e r ­
manent Secretary, Ministry of Labour
(for Minute 19).
Mr. H. C. M. LAMBERT, C.B., Colonial Office
(for Minute 1 9 ) .
Mr. I . C. GIBBON, Local
Board (for Minute 1 8 ) .
Lieutenant-Colonel Si RM. P . A . HANKEY, K.C.B.,
Mr. THOMAS JONES, Assistant
Secretary.
Secretary.
Colonel E . D. SWINTON, C.B., D.S.O., Assistant
Secretary.
Fleet Paymaster P . H . R o w , R.N., Assistant
Secretary.
SIR MARK SYKES, Assistant
Secretary.
Government
XbuI
;
'
ilif
L
A m e r i c a n Board.
IV
J"/
. y f o r S c o t l a n d b r o u g h t u p f o r t h e a p p r o v a l of
t h e W a r Cabinet t h e E d u c a t i o n (Scotland) Bill, 1917, a s explained!
by his M e m o r a n d u m ( P a p e r G.T.-2818), a n d pointed o u t t h e
i m p o r t a n c e a n d u r g e n c y of t h e question.
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 e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e
p a s s i n g of t h i s B i l l w o u l d m u c h h e l p e d u c a t i o n a l r e f o r m
in
England.
T h e W a r Cabinet approved t h e Bill.
S e c r e t a r
2 . T h e S e c r e t a r y s u b m i t t e d for a p p r o v a l a r e q u e s t from M r .
A u s t e n C h a m b e r l a i n t h a t L o r d B u c k m a s t e r , w h o h a d been
a p p o i n t e d a m e m b e r of t h e I n t e r - A l l i e d C o u n c i l ( W a r C a b i n e t ^f$.&J)
M i n u t e i^) s h o u l d a l s o b e a p p o i n t e d a m e m b e r of t h e A m e r i c a n
Board.
T h i s proposal w a s approved by t h e W a r Cabinet.
'tZ. end 2^/
Post-Wai Disposal
of G o v e r n m e n t
Property.
.3. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m b y t h e
M i n i s t e r of R e c o n s t r u c t i o n ( P a p e r G . T . - 2 8 8 8 ) r e g a r d i n g t h e p u b l i c a t i o n of a l e t t e r f r o m h i n i t o t h e C h a i r m a n of t h e A d v i s o r y
C o m m i t t e e o n t h e p o s t - w a r d i s p o s a l of G o v e r n m e n t p r o p e r t y .
T h e W a r Cabinet agreed to t h e subject m a t t e r contained in t h e
letter, b u t it w a s pointed out t h a t its publication m i g h t be undesir­
able, o w i n g to t h e w r o n g impression t h a t m i g h t be given as t o t h e
v i e w s of t h e G o v e r n m e n t o n a s p e e d y e n d i n g t o t h e w a r .
- I t w a s also p o i n t e d o u t t h a t t h e D o m i n i o n s w e r e a n x i o u s t o be
p e r m i t t e d t o a c q u i r e , if t h e y w i s h e d so t o d o , p r o p e r t y a c c u m u ­
lated by the Government during the w a r .
T h e W a r Cabinet a p p r o v e d t h e letter, subject t o t h e a d d i t i o n
of a s e n t e n c e w h i c h w o u l d e n s u r e t h a t t h e i n f o r m a t i o n i t c o n t a i n e d
should be m a d e available to the Dominions;
T h e W a r Cabinet decided t h a t —
(a.) T h e letter should n o t be m a d e public.
(&.) T h e a u t h o r i t i e s s h o u l d b e n o t i f i e d w h e n L o r d S a l i s b u r y ' s
/
For
Minute 3 (c)
substitute
Q u e s t i o n s a r i s i n g f r o m t i m e t o t i m e trtiich a f f e c t
Treasury
c o n s i d e r a t i o n s s h o u l d b e r e f e r r e d t o and' d e t e r m i n e d b y
t h e C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r , l i i n i s t e r of
Reconstruction
and t h e C h a i r m a n of t h e A d v i s o r y C o r a m i t t e e .
JJIUJJUOTLLO
UC OUUIU1UICU
L£TLC5X
UY
L 1 1 C 1VJ.1JU.10TO1 yJJ­
struction.
I n r e p l y t o a q u e s t i o n of L o r d S a l i s b u r y ^ h e w a s i n f o r m e d
- t h a t t h e property concerned included t h a t owned by t h e British
G o v e r n m e n t in F r a n c e a s well a s i n t h e B r i t i s h Isles, a n d p r o p e r t y
w h i c h m a y become s u r p l u s d u r i n g , a s well a s on t h e t e r m i n a t i o n
of, t h e w a r .
T h e Zionist
ment.
Move
Palestinian and
Syrian A r a b s i n
England:
Deputation.
4. T h e W a r C a b i n e t received a d e p u t a t i o n , u n d e r t h e leader­
s h i p of L o r d R o t h s c h i l d , c o n v e y i n g t h e t h a n k s of t h e r e p r e s e n t a ­
t i v e s of t h e Z i o n i s t m o v e m e n t f o r t h e m e s s a g e of g o o d w i l l s e n t b y
the G o v e r n m e n t to t h e Jewish people, a n d , congratulating the
G o v e r n m e n t o n t h e f a l l of J e r u s a l e m .
5. T h e W a r C a b i n e t received a d e p u t a t i o n , u n d e r t h e leaders h i p of C o u n t Z o g h e d , o n b e h a l f of t h e P a l e s t i n i a n a n d S y r i a n
Arabs in E n g l a n d (Moslem a n d Christian).
Count Zoghed read
o u t a m e s s a g e of c o n g r a t u l a t i o n t o H i s M a j e s t y , t h e B r i t i s h
G o v e r n m e n t , a n d t h e British F o r c e s o n the c a p t u r e of J e r u s a l e m !
(Appendix I).
, ,
:
T h e W a r Cabinet a u t h o r i s e d an a n n o u n c e m e n t of the recep­
tion of t h e d e p u t a t i o n s to be m a d e in the press.
T h e "Western
Front
6.*The D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence s t a t e d t h a t n o news
h a d come in from t h e W e s t e r n front, b u t t h a t t h e M i l i t a r y Attache"
in P e t r o g r a d r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e G e r m a n s w e r e moving the g r e a t e r
p a r t of their heavy a r t i l l e r y from the E a s t e r n front to t h e W e s t .
T h e Invasion of
Italy.
7. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e
enemy h a d m a d e a heavy a t t a c k on t h e B r e n t a - P i a v e section of the
I t a l i a n f r o n t ; t h a t t h e Italians h a d been forced to e v a c u a t e c e r t a i n
a d v a n c e d p o r t i o n s of t h e i r line, b u t h a d r e t a k e n t h e m .
On the
section of t h e line held by t h e F r e n c h , a n d n e a r Colberetta, t h e
enemy had forced t h e I t a l i a n s t o w i t h d r a w from c e r t a i n a d v a n c e d
posts, b u t they w e r e holding t h e i r o w n well on the whole.
Saloniea.
8. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence reported t h a t there
w a s a movement of B u l g a r i a n t r o o p s t o w a r d s t h e lakes, six bat­
talions h a v i n g a p p e a r e d as reinforcements t o t h e west of L a k e
O c h r i d a . This m i g h t be done for t w o p u r p o s e s —
(a.) T o release A u s t r i a n t r o o p s t o a t t a c k V a l o n a .
(b.) I n order t o establish claims on t e r r i t o r v in A l b a n i a .
9. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence r e p o r t e d t h a t
slight a d v a n c e h a d been m a d e by one of t h e British divisions.
Russia
a
10. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence read a t e l e g r a m
from G e n e r a l K n o x , a t P e t r o g r a d , g i v i n g a s u m m a r y of t h e con­
ditions proposed by t h e G e r m a n s for a n armistice w i t h t h e
R u s s i a n s . These conditions, which a m o u n t e d to eleven in n u m b e r ,
h a d been refused by t h e Russian delegation, b u t G e n e r a l K n o x
w a s of opinion t h a t s o m e t h i n g of t h e s o r t would eventually be
a c c e p t e d by t h e R u s s i a n s .
T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence r e p o r t e d t h a t he h a d
h e a r d from Tiflis t h a t it w a s proposed to form a F e d e r a t i o n of
Cossacks willing to c o n t i n u e t h e s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t t h e C e n t r a l
P o w e r s , if money a n d e q u i p m e n t w e r e furnished, a n d r e f e r r e d
t h e m a t t e r for t h e decision of t h e W a r Cabinet. H e e x p l a i n e d
t h a t t h e r e h a d been a tendency in one q u a r t e r to lay t h e blame on
t h e W a r Office for t h e lack of financial assistance f u r n i s h e d by
G e n e r a l Shore.
I t w a s p o i n t e d o u t t h a t S i r C h a r l e s M a r l i n g h a d accepted
responsibility for a n y financial o u t l a y t h a t m i g h t be i n c u r r e d i n
t h a t quarter" ( t e l e g r a m No. 438, d a t e d t h e 13th December, 1917);
t h a t t h e subject of financial s u p p o r t for t h i s F e d e r a t i o n w a s
really s e p a r a t e from t h a t for t h e C a u c a s u s ; a n d t h a t t h e r e w a s
some danger, if care w e r e n o t t a k e n , of s u p p o r t being given t o
different s e p a r a t e o r g a n i s a t i o n s w h i c h h a d v a r y i n g , if n o t
a c t u a l l y hostile, views. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence
e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d a l r e a d y a p p r o v e d of
a d v a n c e s of ten millions to t h e U k r a i n e , a n d to General K a l e d i n ,
a n d of financial assistance being given to the A r m e n i a n s .
T h e W a r C a b i n e t decided t h a t —
A n y sum of money, r e q u i r e d for t h e p u r p o s e of m a i n t a i n i n g
alive in S o u t h - E a s t R u s s i a the resistance to t h e C e n t r a l
Education ( S c o t ­
land) Bill, 1917.
1. T H E S e c r e t a r y for S c o t l a n d b r o u g h t u p for t h e a p p r o v a l of
the W a r Cabinet t h e E d u c a t i o n (Scotland) Bill, 1917, a s explained'
by his M e m o r a n d u m ( P a p e r G.T.-2818), a n d p o i n t e d out t h e
i m p o r t a n c e a n d u r g e n c y of t h e question.
The 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 explained t h a t t h e
p a s s i n g of t h i s Bill would m u c h help e d u c a t i o n a l r e f o r m in
England.
The W a r Cabinet a p p r o v e d t h e Bill.
A m e r i c a n Board.
2. T h e Secretary submitted for a p p r o v a l a r e q u e s t from M r .
A u s t e n C h a m b e r l a i n t h a t L o r d B u c k m a s t e r , who h a d been
a p p o i n t e d a member of the I n t e r - Allied Council ( W a r Cabinet *8H
txZZe/z-. end if/
M i n u t e / ^ should also be a p p o i n t e d a member of the A m e r i c a n
Board.
This p r o p o s a l w a s a p p r o v e d by t h e W a r Cabinet.
Post-Wax Disposal
of Government
Property.
..3. The W a r Cabinet h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m by the
M i n i s t e r of R e c o n s t r u c t i o n ( P a p e r G.T.-2888) r e g a r d i n g t h e publi­
cation of a letter from him to t h e C h a i r m a n of the Advisory
Committee on the p o s t - w a r disposal of G o v e r n m e n t p r o p e r t y .
T h e W a r Cabinet a g r e e d to t h e subject m a t t e r c o n t a i n e d in the
l e t t e r , b u t i t w a s p o i n t e d out t h a t its publication m i g h t be undesir­
able, owing to t h e w r o n g impression t h a t m i g h t be given as to t h e
views of t h e G o v e r n m e n t on a speedy e n d i n g t o the w a r .
- I t w a s also p o i n t e d out t h a t t h e D o m i n i o n s w e r e a n x i o u s to be
p e r m i t t e d to acquire, if they wished so to do, p r o p e r t y accumu­
lated by the G o v e r n m e n t d u r i n g t h e w a r .
T h e W a r Cabinet a p p r o v e d t h e letter, subject to t h e a d d i t i o n
of a sentence which would ensure t h a t t h e i n f o r m a t i o n it contained
should be m a d e available to t h e D o m i n i o n s .
T h e W a r Cabinet decided t h a t —
(a.) T h e letter should n o t be m a d e public.
(b.) T h e a u t h o r i t i e s should be notified when L o r d S a l i s b u r y ' s
Committee found i t advisable.
(c.) T h e exact form of t h e letter should be settled between the
/ C h a n c e l l o r of t h e E x c h e q u e r , t h e Minister of M u n i ­
tions,.. a n d t h e C h a i r m a n of t h e A d v i s o r y Committee, so
t h a t t h e T r e a s u r y should be i n s t r u c t e d on the necessary
lines of control.
id.) Government factories a n d s h i p p i n g should be t r e a t e d as
a s e p a r a t e subject, a f t e r consideration by e x p e r t s , a n d
proposals be submitted l a t e r by t h e M i n i s t e r of Recon­
struction.
I n reply to a question of L o r d S a l i s b u r y ^ he w a s i n f o r m e d
t h a t t h e p r o p e r t y concerned included t h a t owned by t h e B r i t i s h
Government in F r a n c e a s well as i n t h e B r i t i s h Isles, a n d p r o p e r t y
w h i c h may become s u r p l u s d u r i n g , a s well as on t h e t e r m i n a t i o n
of, the war.
T h e Zionist
ment.
Move
Palestinian and
Syrian A r a b s in
England:
Deputation.
4. T h e W a r C a b i n e t received a d e p u t a t i o n , u n d e r t h e leader­
s h i p of L o r d R o t h s c h i l d , conveying t h e t h a n k s of t h e r e p r e s e n t a ­
tives of t h e Zionist movement for t h e message of goodwill sent by
the G o v e r n m e n t to the J e w i s h people, a n d . c o n g r a t u l a t i n g t h e
G o v e r n m e n t on t h e fall of J e r u s a l e m .
5. T h e W a r C a b i n e t received a d e p u t a t i o n , u n d e r t h e leaders h i p of C o u n t Zoghed, on behalf of t h e P a l e s t i n i a n a n d S y r i a n
A r a b s in E n g l a n d (Moslem a n d C h r i s t i a n ) .
C o u n t Zoghed r e a d
o u t a message of c o n g r a t u l a t i o n to H i s Majesty, the B r i t i s h
f
Government, a n d the British F o r c e s on the c a p t u r e of J e r u s a l e m :
(Appendix I).
,i
The W a r C a b i n e t a u t h o r i s e d an a n n o u n c e m e n t of the recep­
tion of the d e p u t a t i o n s to be m a d e in t h e press.
The Western
Front
6 . ' T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence s t a t e d t h a t no n e w s
h a d come in from the W e s t e r n front, b u t t h a t the M i l i t a r y Attache"
in P e t r o g r a d r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e G e r m a n s were m o v i n g the g r e a t e r
p a r t of their heavy artillery from t h e E a s t e r n front to t h e W e s t .
T h e Invasion of
Italy.
7. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e
enemy h a d m a d e a heavy a t t a c k on t h e B r e n t a - P i a v e section of the
I t a l i a n f r o n t ; t h a t t h e I t a l i a n s h a d been forced to e v a c u a t e certain
a d v a n c e d p o r t i o n s of their line, b u t h a d r e t a k e n t h e m .
On t h e
section of the line held by the F r e n c h , a n d n e a r Colberetta, t h e
enemy h a d forced t h e I t a l i a n s t o w i t h d r a w from c e r t a i n a d v a n c e d
posts, b u t they w e r e holding their own well on t h e whole.
8. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence r e p o r t e d t h a t there
w a s a m o v e m e n t of. B u l g a r i a n t r o o p s t o w a r d s t h e lakes, six bat­
talions h a v i n g a p p e a r e d a s reinforcements to t h e west of L a k e
O c h r i d a . T h i s m i g h t be done for t w o p u r p o s e s —
(a.) To release A u s t r i a n t r o o p s to a t t a c k V a l o n a .
(b.) I n o r d e r t o establish claims on t e r r i t o r y in A l b a n i a .
Palestine.
9. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence r e p o r t e d t h a t
slight a d v a n c e h a d been m a d e by one of the B r i t i s h divisions.
Russia
10. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence r e a d a t e l e g r a m
from G e n e r a l K n o x , a t P e t r o g r a d , giving a s u m m a r y of the con­
ditions p r o p o s e d by t h e G e r m a n s for an a r m i s t i c e w i t h t h e
R u s s i a n s . These conditions, which a m o u n t e d to eleven in n u m b e r ,
h a d been refused by the Russian delegation, b u t G e n e r a l K n o x
was of opinion t h a t something of t h e s o r t would eventually be
accepted by t h e R u s s i a n s .
T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence r e p o r t e d t h a t he h a d
h e a r d from Tifiis t h a t it was proposed to form a F e d e r a t i o n of
Cossacks w i l l i n g to c o n t i n u e t h e s t r u g g l e a g a i n s t t h e C e n t r a l
P o w e r s , if money a n d e q u i p m e n t were furnished, a n d r e f e r r e d
t h e m a t t e r for t h e decision of t h e W a r Cabinet. H e e x p l a i n e d
t h a t t h e r e h a d been a tendency i n one q u a r t e r t o lay t h e blame on
t h e W a r Office for t h e lack of financial assistance f u r n i s h e d by
General Shore.
I t w a s p o i n t e d out t h a t S i r Charles M a r l i n g h a d accepted
responsibility for a n y financial o u t l a y t h a t m i g h t be i n c u r r e d i n
t h a t q u a r t e r ( t e l e g r a m No. 438, d a t e d t h e 13th December, 1 9 1 7 ) ;
t h a t t h e subject of financial s u p p o r t for t h i s F e d e r a t i o n w a s
really s e p a r a t e from t h a t for t h e C a u c a s u s ; a n d t h a t there w a s
some d a n g e r , if care w e r e n o t t a k e n , of s u p p o r t being given t o
different s e p a r a t e o r g a n i s a t i o n s w h i c h h a d v a r y i n g , if n o t
actually hostile, views. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence
explained t h a t t h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d a l r e a d y a p p r o v e d of
advances of t e n millions t o t h e U k r a i n e , a n d to G e n e r a l K a l e d i n ,
a n d of financial assistance being given to the A r m e n i a n s .
T h e W a r C a b i n e t decided t h a t —
a
A n y sum of money, r e q u i r e d for t h e p u r p o s e of m a i n t a i n i n g
alive in S o u t h - E a s t R u s s i a t h e resistance t o t h e C e n t r a l
P o w e r s , considered necessary by t h e W a r Office, i n cpn­
s u l t a t i o n w i t h t h e F o r e i g n Office, should be f u r n i s h e d ;
t h e money to be p a i d i n i n s t a l m e n t s so long a s t h e
r e c i p i e n t s continued t h e struggle.
Roumania.
11.
No. 759
hopeful
support
Armenia.
12. W i t h reference to W a r Cabinet 294, M i n u t e 14, t h e
Director of M i l i t a r y Intelligence stated t h a t he h a d communi­
cated t h e decision of the W a r Cabinet p r o m i s i n g assistance t o
the A r m e n i a n s , a n d h a d received from G e n e r a l Shore a t e l e g r a m ,
to t h e effect t h a t t h e A r m e n i a n f r a t e r n i t y h a d collected a s u m
of between 5 a n d 10 million roubles, a n d g i v i n g figures for t h e
cost of mobilising 20,000 men a n d m a i n t a i n i n g 40,000 men f o r
t h r e e months. T h e D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence s t a t e d t h a t
t h e most valuable help in t h i s p a r t of t h e world m i g h t be e x p e c t e d
from the A r m e n i a n s , who h a d every reason to fight to the b i t t e r
end.
The W a r Cabinet decided t h a t -
T h e a t t e n t i o n of t h e W a r Cabinet w a s called to t e l e g r a m
from Sir G. Barclay, r e p o r t i n g t h e prevalence of a m o r e
feeling in R o u m a n i a , a n d s u g g e s t i n g t h a t
financial,
should be promised.
I
Sir C. M a r l i n g should be a u t h o r i s e d to open a credit a t once
t o help t h e A r m e n i a n s
The D i r e c t o r of M i l i t a r y Intelligence u n d e r t o o k to m a k e t h e
necessary a r r a n g e m e n t s .
Losses of Airships.
13. T h e F i r s t Sea L o r d r e p o r t e d t h e following losses of
British airships—
(a.)
One destroyed by an enemy seaplane or a e r o p l a n e off.
the Swart Bank.
(b.) One wrecked off St. Abbs.
(c.) One l a n d e d a t R o t t e r d a m , owing to engine failure.
B o m b i n g of B e r l i n Constantinople
Railway.
14. T h e F i r s t Sea. L o r d r e p o r t e d t h a t o n t h e 12th December
t h e B e r l i n - C o n s t a n t i n o p l e R a i l w a y was a t t a c k e d by a i r c r a f t ,
t r a i n s being bombed a n d fired into by m a c h i n e - g u n s .
Scandinavian
Convoy.
15. W i t h reference to W a r Cabinet 297, M i n u t e 22, the F i r s t
Sea L o r d r e p o r t e d t h a t no definite i n f o r m a t i o n h a d yet been
received a s to the f a t e of t h e m e r c h a n t - s h i p s t h a t composed t h e
S c a n d i n a v i a n convoy r e f e r r e d to therein, b u t i t w a s s t a t e d i n
a telegram from C h r i s t i a n i a t h a t they h a d been sunk, a s
well a s t w o of t h e G e r m a n destroyers. The G e r m a n s h a d a s yet
not issued a n y communique
on t h e subject, a n d w e should not g e t
definite i n f o r m a t i o n from B r i t i s h sources u n t i l our e r a s e r s
r e t u r n e d t o h a r b o u r , w h i c h would probably be on t h e following
morning. I n f o r m a t i o n h a d j u s t been received to t h e effect t h a t
t h e N o r w e g i a n Government h a d a u t h o r i s e d t h e d e p a r t u r e of
H.M.S. " P e l l e w . "
The F i r s t Sea L o r d u n d e r t o o k to issue a s full a
communique
a s possible not l a t e r t h a n S a t u r d a y , t h e 15th December.
16. T h e Secretary r e a d to t h e W a r C a b i n e t a telegram from
General Allenby, t h a n k i n g t h e Government, on behalf of himself
a n d the forces u n d e r h i s command, for t h e t e l e g r a m of a p p r e c i a ­
tion t h a t h a d been sent to him, i n accordance w i t h t h e provisions
of W a r C a b i n e t 296, M i n u t e 6. .
T h e W a r Cabinet a u t h o r i s e d its publication in the press.
Titles of Officers
of *the A i r Force.
17. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d u n d e r consideration a Memo­
r a n d u m ( P a p e r G.T.-2782) by G e n e r a l S m u t s , as t o t h e r a n k a n d
t i t l e s of officers of t h e A i r Force., .
G e n e r a l S m u t s e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e A i r B o a r d h a d suggested
a m i x t u r e of n a v a l a n d m i l i t a r y titles. T h e A d m i r a l t y , however,
were averse to this, a n d suggested m i l i t a r y titles only, or f a b r i ­
c a t e d titles suggestive of the a i r . T h e W a r Office t h o u g h t t h a t
the t i t l e s should be distinct from those w h i c h a p p e r t a i n e i t h e r
to t h e navy or t h e a r m y , a n d f u r t h e r objected to t h e A i r B o a r d ' s
proposal, on the g r o u n d t h a t i t gave t h e n a v a l t i t l e s t o senior
officers, a n d m i l i t a r y t i t l e s to j u n i o r officers, which would be liable
to cause resentment.
T h e W a r C a b i n e t decided t h a t —
T h e officers of t h e A i r F o r c e should receive m i l i t a r v titles.
P a y m e n t of
Conscientious
Objectors.
18. T h e W a r C a b i n e t h a d before t h e m t h e following Papers:—M e m o r a n d u m by M r . I U i n g w o r t h ( P a p e r G.T.-2708).
M e m o r a n d u m by the Chancellor of t h e E x c h e q u e r ( P a p e r
G.T.-2790).
M e m o r a n d u m by Mr. H a y e s F i s h e r ( P a p e r G.T.-2938).
T h e P o s t m a s t e r - G e n e r a l s a i d t h a t a c c o r d i n g to t h e T r e a s u r y
c i r c u l a r of the 10th F e b r u a r y , 1917, conscientious objectors
e x e m p t e d by T r i b u n a l s a n d allowed to r e m a i n on t h e i r civil duties,
should receive only t h e i r former a c t u a l r a t e of r e m u n e r a t i o n , w i t h ­
out increment, or t h e r a t e which would be p a i d to a t e m p o r a r y
. s u b s t i t u t e p e r f o r m i n g the duty, whichever w a s less, a n d t h e i r
service should not c o u n t for pension o r increment. A b o u t 100
persons r e t a i n e d by t h e P o s t Office were affected. These m e n h a d
t a k e n a d v a n t a g e of t h e i r s t a t u t o r y r i g h t s , a n d were legally
e x e m p t e d from m i l i t a r y service; they were r e t a i n e d i n t h e P o s t
Office a s doing work of n a t i o n a l i m p o r t a n c e only on t h e recom­
m e n d a t i o n of the T r i b u n a l concerned. I f t h e i r wages were reduced
t h e T r a d e s U n i o n s would claim t h a t they w e r e being sweated.
T h e difficulty of enforcing penalties now w a s a g g r a v a t e d by the
lapse of time, as some of t h e men concerned h a d been receiving
full p a y for nearly 18 months. A l l t h e men w e r e skilled, a n d it
would be very difficult to replace them. H e d i d n o t t h i n k a s t r i k e
would b r e a k o u t on t h i s issue, b u t a n adverse decision would
c e r t a i n l y t e n d t o increase labour difficulties t h r o u g h o u t t h e Service.
T h e W a r Cabinet considered t w o courses w h i c h w e r e open to
them if t h e question w e r e r a i s e d i n the H o u s e of Commons. O n
t h e one h a n d , if the policy of the P o s t m a s t e r - G e n e r a l w e r e a d o p t e d
it could be a d m i t t e d t h a t these men h a d been overlooked, t h a t t h e y
h a d been for eighteen m o n t h s in receipt of o r d i n a r y pay, a n d t h a t
to reduce t h e i r p a y or dismiss t h e m now would savour of p e t t y
persecution. On t h e other h a n d , if t h e T r e a s u r y c i r c u l a r were
enforced it could be p o i n t e d out t h a t it w a s u n f a i r to give t h e s e
men p r e f e r e n t i a l t r e a t m e n t when s i m i l a r conscientious objectors
in other d e p a r t m e n t s w e r e suffering disabilities.
The W a r Cabinet decided t h a t —
T h e P o s t m a s t e r - G e n e r a l should give notice t o t e r m i n a t e t h e
p r e s e n t a r r a n g e m e n t a t t h e end of t h e year, w h e n t h e
t e r m s of the T r e a s u r y C i r c u l a r of t h e 10th February,.
1917, should be p u t into force.
1.9. W i t h reference to W a r Cabinet 168, M i n u t e 2, t h e W a r
Cabinet h a d before t h e m a M e m o r a n d u m on t h e r e c r u i t i n g of
labour from t h e Dominions a n d Colonies by t h e M i n i s t r y of
L a b o u r ( P a p e r G.T.-2880).
r
R e c r u i t i n g of
L a b o u r from t h e
Dominions and
Colonies.
&
S i r D a v i d Shackleton stated t h a t t h e decision given by t h e
Cabinet on t h e 2 2 n d J u n e , 1917, d i d not cover t h e r e c r u i t i n g andt'
i m p o r t a t i o n of workmen of B r i t i s h n a t i o n a l i t y from t h e
Dominions, Colonies, or elsewhere a b r o a d . A t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e
labour w a s being i m p o r t e d from the D o m i n i o n s by several D e p a r t ­
ments, a n d i t w a s desirable t h a t , a s in the case of alien labour,
there should be no possibility of competition or d u p l i c a t i o n as
between Government D e p a r t m e n t s .
Mr. L a m b e r t said t h a t the only caveat Mr. Long wished to .
p u t in w a s t h a t if a n y fresh field w a s to be opened u p i t w a s most
i m p o r t a n t t h a t a p p l i c a t i o n should be m a d e t o t h e Dominion
or Colonial G o v e r n m e n t affected, t h r o u g h the Colonial Office.
Sir A u c k l a n d Geddes said it would be necessa-y t h a t t h e
agreement between t h e M i n i s t r y of N a t i o n a l Service a n d t h e othf r
D e p a r t m e n t s should be extended so a s to cover labour b r o u g h t in
from t h e Dominions a n d Colonies. U n d e r these agreements all
prospective bulk d e m a n d s for labour by Government D e p a r t m e n t s
a r e to be notified by the D e p a r t m e n t concerned to t h e M i n i s t r y of
N a t i o n a l Service, which, jointly w i t h t h e M i n i s t r y of Labour,
p r e p a r e s schemes to meet t h e m ; a n d a n y new scheme for r e c r u i t i n g
labour from t h e Dominions or a b r o a d is to be agreed between t h e
M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r a n d t h e M i n i s t r y of N a t i o n a l Service, t h e
a c t u a l r e c r u i t i n g a n d t r a n s f e r of such labour being c a r r i e d out
by the M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r .
The W a r C a b i n e t decided t h a t —
(a.) T h e M i n i s t r y of L a b o u r should become definitely
responsible for dealing w i t h t h e r e c r u i t i n g a n d im­
p o r t a t i o n of workmen of B r i t i s h n a t i o n a l i t y from t h e
D o m i n i o n s a n d Colonies or elsewhere abroad, a n d a
M i n u t e should be circulated to Government D e p a r t ­
ments i n s t r u c t i n g them t o consult the M i n i s t r y of
Labour, a t a n e a r l y s t a g e , i n connection w i t h a n y
proposals to r e c r u i t any such labour, a n d i n f o r m i n g
t h e m t h a t t h e a c t u a l w o r k of o b t a i n i n g i t should be
e n t r u s t e d to the M i n i s t e r of Labour.
(b.) T h e a g r e e m e n t between t h e M i n i s t r y of N a t i o n a l Service,
the M i n i s t r y of Labour, a n d other D e p a r t m e n t s should
be extended so a s to embrace consultation o n t h e im­
p o r t a t i o n of the labour r e f e r r e d t o above.
2, Whitehall
Gardens, S.W.,
December 14, 1917.
,
APPENDIX.
Your Excellency,
T h e d e l e g a t e s o f t h e A r a b m e m b e r s of t h e S y r i a n a n d P a l e s t i n i a n c o l o n i e s i n
L o n d o n a n d M a n c h e s t e r h a v e begged to call on you to-day to express to y o u r
E x c e l l e n c y t h e i r c o n g r a t u l a t i o n s o n t h e v i c t o r y a n d c a p t u r e of J e r u s a l e m .
They moreover express the desire t h a t you should t r a n s m i t to H i s Majesty a n d
to H i s M a j e s t y ' s forces t h e i r h e a r t f e l t c o n g r a t u l a t i o n , a n d t h e h o p e a n d t h e a s s u r ­
a n c e t h a t H i s M a j e s t y ' s a r m i e s a n d t h e d e t a c h m e n t s of F r e n c h a n d I t a l i a n c o n ­
t i n g e n t s s h o u l d c o n t i n u e t h e i r v i c t o r i o u s m a r c h f o r t h e d e l i v e r a n c e of t h e p o p u l a ­
t i o n s t h e y a r e f r e e i n g f r o m t h e d e s p o t i s m of T u r k i s h r u l e .
A n d t h e d e l e g a t e s of t h e A r a b members of t h e S y r i a n a n d P a l e s t i n i a n colonies
in L o n d o n r e q u e s t y o u r E x c e l l e n c y to convey t o G e n e r a l A l l e n b y a n d to t h e v a l o r o u s
t r o o p s u n d e r h i s c o m m a n d t h e s i n c e r e e x p r e s s i o n of t h e i r g r a t i t u d e f o r t h e
s a c r i f i c e s t h e y a r e m a k i n g t o f u r t h e r t h e a i m s a n d a s p i r a t i o n s of t h e s e p o p u l a t i o n s
f o r a l a s t i n g a n d h o p e f u l e s t a b l i s h m e n t u n d e r t h e g u i d a n c e a n d t u t e l a g e of t h e i r
deliverers.