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Correspondence A-Z on "The Problem of the Army", 1902-12 - 1904-12

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/AMEL 1/1/14

Scope and Contents

Correspondence on LSA's series of articles for the Times on army reform, with correspondents including: General 1st Lord Kitchener [Commander-in-Chief, India] on the advantages and disadvantages of having a large force in South Africa; Admiral Sir John Fisher [Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth] on subjects including the role of the press in reforming the Navy (3); Arthur Balfour, Prime Minister, on LSA's ideas for encouraging Finland to rebel against Russia; L J Maxse [Editor of the National Review]; 2nd Lord Esher [Chairman of the War Office Reconstitution Committee, earlier Reginald Brett], on War Office reform, including enthusiasm for reform shown by King Edward VII (10); John Buchan [Private Secretary to the High Commissioner for South Africa, later 1st Lord Tweedsmuir] on subjects including tariff reform; Winston Churchill on supplying garrisons abroad and retaining a home defence force (2); Hugh Arnold-Forster [Secretary of State for War], thanking LSA for his help (5); Rudyard Kipling (2); Sir George Clarke [Secretary to Committee of Imperial Defence, later 1st Lord Sydenham] on the difficulties of helping Finland against Russia; Ernest Beckett [later 2nd Lord Grimthorpe] on LSA's help in his own criticism of the War Office, particularly on forces for India and South Africa (4); Vice-Admiral Sir James Bruce; Major John Clauson [Secretary, Colonial Defence Committee and Assistant Secretary Committee of Imperial Defence] on organizing forces at home and abroad (2); Sir Conyngham Greene; Sir Clinton Dawkins [former Chairman of Committee on War Office Reorganisation] on recruiting and keeping a regular army; 12th Lord Dundonald [earlier Lord Cochrane], General Officer Commanding Canadian Militia (2); Sir Edward Grey on the defence debate; William Henderson, Dean of Carlisle; Major-General Arthur Hart-Synnot [earlier Arthur Hart]; Lieutenant-General Sir Ian Hamilton [Military Secretary, Headquarters] on subjects including relations with Portugal in Africa, Winston Churchill, LSA's scheme for reorganizing battalions, criticism of LSA from [?] Field Marshal Sir William Nicholson, LSA's ideas for compulsory military training and forces in South Africa (28); Lieutenant-General Sir Neville Lyttelton [commanding the Forces in South Africa] on subjects including keeping large forces in South Africa (3); Colonel Arthur Murray [Assistant-Commandant Royal Military Academy] on British failures in the South African War, LSA's history of the campaign and strengthening the General Staff (2); [?] Colonel Hugh Pearse on LSA's history of the South African War and peace training in India; Lieutenant-Colonel Charles A'Court-Repington [earlier Charles A'Court] on subjects including North Sea harbours, a new Defence Council, forces in South Africa, recruitment, and LSA's discussions with Lord Esher (6); Field Marshal 1st Lord Roberts [Commander-in-Chief] on reorganizing the War Office on Indian lines and LSA's idea for changing rifle sights (3); John Seely [later 1st Lord Mottistone]; Henry Wilson (8); Captain Evelyn Wood on subjects including the difficulties of recruiting for service in South Africa (4).

Also includes: report on rifle trials.

Dates

  • Creation: 1902-12 - 1904-12

Conditions Governing Access

From the Fonds:

The papers are open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.

Extent

4 file(s)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Filed alphabetically, with some loose unfiled letters at the beginning.

Former / Other Reference

Box 86

Finding aid date

2003-03-28 16:57:19+00:00

Repository Details

Part of the Churchill Archives Centre Repository

Contact:
Churchill Archives Centre
Churchill College
Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB3 0DS United Kingdom
+44 (0)1223 336087