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Public and Political: General: Defence of Freedom and Peace Union., 08 Jan 1938 - 23 Dec 1938

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 2/343A-B

Scope and Contents

Correspondence on the Focus in Defence of Freedom and Peace, mainly between WSC and A H Richards [Secretary of the Focus] on subjects including: the visit of [? Ivan Subasic], Ban of Croatia [Yugoslavia]; the pacifism movement among the churches; meetings of the Focus, where WSC gave speeches, including mass meetings at Manchester (9 May), Bristol [16 May], Sheffield [Yorkshire, 31 May], Birmingham (2 June) and Chingford [Essex, 11 December]; a joint campaign with the League of Nations Union; involving Lord Halifax [Foreign Secretary, earlier Edward Wood and Lord Irwin] and Anthony Eden [later 1st Lord Avon] in the Focus; a meeting with Alfred Wall [Secretary, London Trades Council]; a national campaign for a National Unity League; the expansion of Headway, former journal of the League of Nations Union; organizing protest against the Munich Pact.Other correspondents include: [Henry] Wickham Steed on subjects including religious pacifism, Czech resistance to Germany and claims by Sir Oswald Mosley [British Union of Fascists] that WSC advocates the encirclement of Germany (3); Katharine, Duchess of Atholl, on joining the National Committee for Defence and Freedom of Peace, the dangers of Nationalist victory in Spain and Benito Mussolini's long-term involvement in Spanish affairs; James Watts, Honorary Treasurer, Manchester City Conservative Association, on gaining right-wing support for the Focus, the need for an alliance with France, and the importance of not attacking the Government (5); 10th Lord Stamford [earlier Lord Grey of Groby] on WSC's visit to Manchester; 1st Lord Meston; 17th Lord Derby [earlier Lord Stanley] on chairing and then withdrawing from the Manchester meeting (5); Sir Malcolm Robertson on the audience for a national campaign on defence; Rennie Smith, Secretary, Friends of Europe; "R C" [1st Lord Cecil of Chelwood, earlier Lord Robert Cecil, President of the League of Nations Union] on WSC's speeches at Manchester and Bristol.Other subjects include: WSC's view on the duty to rouse the country and themes for his Manchester speech; political concerns in the Bristol area.Also includes: note on meetings between the Ban of Croatia and members of the Focus, on Yugoslav relations with Italy and Germany; lists of Focus members attending meetings; note of a meeting between Benito Mussolini and the Spanish Monarchists, 1934; memorandum on Headway and its take-over by the Focus; press statement on the Focus mass meetings; translation of a report on WSC's speech at Manchester from Der Angriff; list of National Committee for Defence of Freedom and Peace members; notes and copies of correspondence by WSC and Violet Pearman, Kathleen Hill and Mary Penman [Secretaries to WSC] to individuals listed above and also to others including Sir James Hawkey [Vice-Chairman of Epping Division Conservative Association, Essex].

Dates

  • Creation: 08 Jan 1938 - 23 Dec 1938

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Extent

2 file(s) (2 bound files (215 folios))

Language of Materials

English

External Documents

Repository Details

Part of the Churchill Archives Centre Repository

Contact:
Churchill Archives Centre
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