Notes between James Masterton-Smith [Private Secretary to WSC] and Charles Walker [Principal Clerk, Admiralty], on the question of Russian decorations for submarine officers.

Submission from WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] to King George V, reporting that the Emperor of Russia wished to confer the Order of St Vladimir (4th Class) on two British submarine commanders, Lieutenant-Commander Noel Laurence and Lieutenant-Commander Max Horton, for their skill in navigating their vessels into the Baltic, where they were now operating. WSC asks for the decorations to be approved, but not made public, to preserve secrecy. [Initialled by WSC and King George V].

Notes between Ronald Campbell, Foreign Office, James Masterton-Smith [Private Secretary to WSC] and Charles Walker [Principal Clerk, Admiralty], reporting that the Russian Ambassador had been told that King George V had approved the award of Russian decorations to the two submarine captains in the Baltic, and had been informed of the need for secrecy.

Submission from WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] to King George V, reporting that Tsar Nicholas II of Russia wished to award decorations to Commander Max Horton and the crew of submarine E9, for sinking a German destroyer in the Baltic on 29 January [signed by WSC, and approved by the King].

Letter from WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty to the Grand Duke Nicholas [Russian Minister of War], on Russia's request for naval action against Turkey to relieve pressure in the Caucasus, detailing plans for forcing the passage of the Dardanelles. [2 Hand-written drafts].

Letter from WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty, to Sir Edward Grey [Foreign Secretary], sending a message to be forwarded to the Grand Duke Nicholas [Russian Minister of War], on the progress of the attack on the Dardanelles. WSC suggests that the Russian Black Sea Fleet should prepare to come to the entrance of the Bosphorus, with any troops that could be spared. [Hand-written copy].

Letter from Field Marshal 1st Lord Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, to WSC, sending on a copy of a telegram from the Grand Duke Nicholas [Russian War Minister] on the Dardanelles [see CHAR 13/48/67-68], and stating that he wished that the Russian Army would "play up a bit", as they seemed to do nothing but complain about the number of Germans in front of them.

Telegram from the Chief of Staff of the Grand Duke Nicholas [Russian Minister of War] to the Admiralty, on instructions given to the Russian Black Sea Fleet concerning operations in the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus.

Letter from Lord Downe to WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty, on his purchase of oil bearing properties in the Caucasus, Russia.

Note by the Admiralty War Staff, listing the Russian Baltic Fleet. [Typescript].

Telegram from the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armies [the Grand Duke Nicholas] to WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty, accepting in principle the offer of assistance from the Royal Navy to a Russian Army landing on the North German Coast, if the British fleet gained command of the Baltic Sea. [Typescript copy].

Letter from Peter Pollen, War Office, to WSC, giving details of military and naval expenditure in Russia, France, Germany and Italy.

Typescript transcript of a letter from Lord Randolph Churchill, Secretary of State for India, to Grant Duff [Governor of Madras, India] informing him that Queen [Victoria] has appointed Arthur Collins as Chief Justice of Madras and commenting on difficulties posed by Russia to the administration of India in negotiations over the Afghan boundary.

Typescript transcript of a letter from Lord Randolph Churchill, Secretary of State for India, to Grant Duff [Governor of Madras, India] in which he discusses relations with Russia including their activities in Central Asia , the annexation of Afghanistan and his own efforts to reach an agreement with Russia, despite feeling that such an agreement is impossible.

Draft letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (2 Connaught Place [London]) to the Editor of the Times in which he objects to comments made by [2nd] Lord Granville about his speech which discussed Russian affairs including the Russian advance into Central Asia and the arbitration of General Kauffmann. Annotated [by Lady Randolph Churchill].

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (St James' Club, Piccadilly [London]) to [Lady Randolph Churchill] including arrangements for the transport of dogs to Blenheim Palace and the closure of their house [in Dublin, Ireland] and speculations on relations between England and Russia.

Letter from Lord Randolph Churchill (Auchnashellach [Dingwall, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland] on the notepaper of the India Office) to [Lady Randolph Churchill] including a description of his success at fishing; observations on the likelihood of a European war as a result of the actions of Russia and the illness of Cornelia [Lady Wimborne, earlier Cornelia Lady Guest and Lady Cornelia Churchill].

Notes on a visit to Russia (7 pages) and Central Asia (5 pages).

An undated account of Forbes' visits to Siberia, 1904-1918.