Cab 23_39_39

(c) crown copyright

Catalogue Reference:CAB/23/39

Image Reference:0039

""""

\

252

; J

(THIS DOCUKEHT IB THE FROIERTX OP Hi a BRITANNIC JiAJEsTiMS GOVERNMENT.) S E C P E

I.

fINAL COPY.

. IvtlwJTEb of ^Conference of Ministers held at 101 Downing Street, s.W., on kond&y, 18th September, 1922, at 1£ Noon. P

R

E

S

S

THE IRIME MINISTER

W

T

:

y

-

(Ih the Chair)

ie Right Hon. A.Chamberlain, M.P., Lord -trivy Seal.

The Right Hon. fhe discount Birkenhe&d, Lord Chancellor.

jie Sight Hon. Sir Robert H o m e , (J.B.K. jZI.C. ,M.P., Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The tiost Hon, the Marque sa Curzon of. i-edleston, Z,G,,G.O.S.I., G.C.I.E., Secretary of State for FoVeign affairs,

Right Hon, W.S.Churchill, M. 1., TheT Right Hon. Sir L/AhrthingtonSecretary of State for the Colonial. Evans, Bart., G.B.E. .M.P., j secretary of State fur V,ar. The-Right Hon. the Lord Lee *f Fareham, .G.B.E.,i£.C.B., Jirst. Lord of the Admiralty. THE FOLLOWING %ERR ALSO PRESENT:­ fciral of the Fleet Earl xieatty, l0.M.,G.C.3.,G.C.V.O.,L.S.O., pirst Sea Lord.

Air Chief Marshal Sir H u g h SBreneh^rd,.: 5C.C.B.,B.S.O., Chief of the Air Staff.

feral the Earl of C&van, IC.P., hC.M.G.,G.C.V.O.,*C.C.B., Chief [of the Imperial General staff.

Air Commodore, J.M. steel, CB.,C.M.G.,J C B J i . , Director of Operations artd Intelligence, ^ir Ministry.

H.A. Payne, C.B., second pecretarj, hoard *f ^rade, ]?or conclusion 4 ) .

Mr. ^.25. Faulkner, C.B.E., Mercantile Marine itept: Board of Trade. (For conclusion 4 ) .

Hipwood, C.B., Mercantile fcrine Lept: Board of ii'rade. For conclusion 4 ).

Sir Edward Grigg,iC.C.V.O.,C.M.G.,

(

at-Col. Sir M.F.A. Eankey, G.C.B., Secretary, Cabinet. it-Col. Sir John Chancellor, E.C.M.G., D.S.O,, Principal -assistant Secretary, C..I.L.

[I-

Under the Prime LJLnister's instructions a telephone message %as sent before the meeting to the India Of. ice, asking if the secretary of wtate or parliamentary Secretary would be present, but the reply was received that the secretary of State was in S c o t l a n d and the Parliamentary secretary.was in India,

GRECOIHKISH

1.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR read a telegram which

CITATION.

he had received from General Harington, reporting that he had informed the Kemaligjbs *that the neutral zone of the Strai&s must be observed.

General Harington feared that

unless immediate steps were taken to strengthen our forces Kemal might act precipitately and advance on Con­ stantinqple, but he was hopeful that prompt action by us might have a deterrent effect upon him,

General Harington

estimated that if the French were sincere in their prom­ ises of support, he could hold Out in Constantinople for ' three or four weeks,, THE PRIME MINISTER read telegrams from the £aval Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean &jjs

0

339 and 340)

referring to the naval action proposed to be taken to deal with any attempt of the Kemalists to transfer troops to the European side of the Straits

&

He read a further tele­

gram from the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean (Ho. 342) forwarding a report from the Senior Officer of the 3rd Light Cruiser Sq.uaa.ron, as to the resolutions passed at a conference of the Allied Admirals and Consuls at Smyrna regarding the action to he taken to deal with the situations

A further telegram from the Senior Officer of

the Light Cruiser Squadron to the Admiralty (No. 499) on the same subject which was also reado THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY drew attention to' the opinion expressed by the Naval Commander-in-chief that surveillance would not be sufficient to deter the Kemalists from attempting to cross the Straits^

We might therefore

hear at any moment that "he had been compelled to use force and so commit an act of war against the Kemalists,, It

It was agreed:­ (See Conclusion (a)). rtsTANCE F O E K

2.

LORD

CUR2OH

raised the ouestion as to whether it was

REFUGEES

iYRHiU

possible to do more to assist the Greek refugees in Smyrna.

The situation there was deplorable.

There

were from 100,000 to 200,000 Greeks in Smyrna who could not be removed, as Greek shipping- was not allowed to enter the port.

He reminded the Conference that when the

question of the assistance of British ships was raised before it was agreed that, no assistance should be given unless the whole of the Greek shipping was made available for the removal of refugees.

He suggested that

the . oard of Trade might be asked as to whether British shipping could easily be made available in case ox need. THE PRIIIEj LTKISTBli read a telegram from Mr. Bentinck at Athens (Ho. 447) in which reference was made to the massacres at Smyrna and in which it was stated that the Greek Press was criticising adversely the inaction of the British warships at Smyrna. M R . CHiMBSRL^ISi reminded the Conference that at our instance the Italian -admiral was approaching Kemal to en­ quire whether he would allow Grbek ships to enter Smyrna and remove refugees.

If that request is not granted

we must ask Kemal if he v. ill allow British ships to enter Smyrna with that object.

If necessary,, the xiaval

Oommander-in-Chief should be authorised to divert British ships to that service. THE

requisitioning of "jrftish snips had previously been ob­ jecte-i to on account of the expense and lesral difficulties that would be created if the ships were compelled to break their contracts-.

He suggested that if it became

necessary to charter ships, the work had better be done through the Board 6f ^rade., who conic- do it more cheaply and easily than thi "inister at Athens, as they were accustomed to such transactions and they could easily get into touch with the managers of the leading shipping companies operating in those waters. (TEE PR IMS MINISTER here gave instructions for the representatives of .the Shipping Department of the :.oard of Trade to be summoned to discuss :

this question)-. THE PRIME MINISTER stated that the nmerieans had con­ sented to assist the refugees and he considered that it was desirable that we should vote a certain sum for that purp ose. It was agreed:­ (Se e 0 one lusi on (i ) ).. iflD 3-. THE -PRIMS MINISTER stated that according -to press ' iST P I ON repute Marshals Poch and Petain took an altogether j ­ 5

!S.

different view from President poincare as to the situation.

The;)- shared the views of the -ritish

Government as to the necessity for action to prevent the Turks from crossing the Straits. THE SECRETARY. OP STATE POR Y/AR informed the Conference that it would be possible to put the "Oxper-imental Brigade at Wilder shot on board transports in. a few days..

The

numbers of the brigade could be made up by'transfers from other battalions without interfering with our mobilisa­ tion arrangements..

The brigade would have a strength of ab out

about

3,000.*

General Staff He added .-that the/attached the great­

est importance to the retention of Chanak in order to en­ sure the free passage of the Straits, THE

0

Ht.li"

OP THE T M P Z E D i L

GENERAL ST API?

stated that

according to. the reports received, the Jlemalists have a force of

52,000

rifles within

-50J

miles of Chanak.

force we could only oppose one battalione

To that

The £emalists

could push that small force into the sea within a fort­ night.

If we lost Chanak the troops in Constantinople

would be cut off. - If we are driven out of Chanak, and Els Majesty^ Government decide to re-conquer the Southern Side of the Straits., it meant a big war and the employment of a force of 2 0 divisions..

The £emailst Army was esti­

mated to have a ration strength of

250,000

to

300,000

men

0

THE PR M S MIEISTSF: remarked that the C,I.G.S s l

estimate of the strength of the ICemalist army was far in excess of the estimate he had seen in the reports from General Harington*

General Harington s estimates had been x

that the army numbered about

70,000

bayonets and sabres,.

He believed that if it was seen that we were taking immediate action to reinforce our troops on the Dardanelles, ICemal would probably be deterred from attacking us.

He enquired as

to the nature of the support that our naval forces could give the event of an attack om Chanak by the Zemalists. THE FIRST SEA LORD explained that the naval guns were high velocity guns with low trajectory *

They were, there­

fore unable to search out the country near Chanak by short range fire.-,

The ships could, now ever, take up positions

on both flanks and -bring an effective fire to bear with the aid of aex'ial observation-,

They could keep the coasts clear. '-4w

THE

,

2 ^) 7

THE CHIEF OF THE BiPBRIAl GENERAL .3TAPF expressed the opinion that the Turkish guns at Chanak could not be des­ troyed by such long range naval gun fire

Q

To deal with

the guns mounted at Chanak, it would be necessary to mount howitzers on the Gallipoli Peninsula.-. LORD CURZON pointed out that the force on the Gallipoli Peninsula was composed of Prench troops and the force at Chanak.was British.

He raised the question as to what

action should be taken in the event of the Prench refusing to take military action against the Turks,

If we decided

to mount howitzers on the Gallipoli Peninsula, it was necessary that we should make sure of having sufficient troops to enable us to protect them* THE SECRETARY OP STATE FOR v/AR pointed out that the whole of our plans had, up to now, been based upon the assumption that the French troops would co-operate in the defence of the Gallipoli Peninsula,,

If the Prench with­

drew, the Situation would be completely revolutionised and policy and our /plans would have to be recons Id c r e d o THE SECRETARY OF STASB FOR THE COLONIES urged that che Secretary of State for bar should be givon authority at once to make the necessary arrangements for the early des­ patch of the Experimental Brigade from Aldershot.

It was

desirable that the situation should be reviewed in order that we should be clear as to what force we could send to the Straits in a short time.

In this connection he

remarked that it might be assumed that there would be no demand for reinforcements from Iraq,

If we were pressed

in that region, the British forces would be v/ithdrawn altogether.

He suggested that a telegram should be sent

to Lord Allenby asking if he could send two or three battal­ ions from Egypt to the Dardanelles on condition that they were -a­

V

were replace." in a short time by two or three un­ motilisea battalions; from, i-ingiand.'.

He considered it

essential' that our forces should be increased at, the earliest possible ,-moment.so'as.to prevent their being rushed, by the- Memalists

?

It was also desirable that

heavy howitzers should'.be mounted on the Gallipoli Peninsula, at once,

..

., THE P R E p . HINISTER concurred and expressed the . .

....

4

opinion that the mounting of \heav2?' howitzers on the Gallipoli Peninsula would be very important from a dip­ lomatic point of view.

The Prench were afraid of our

establishing a second Gibraltar on the Gallipoli Penin­ sula and that consideration vvould make them more inclined tq c6r-operate with u s

a

THE 8EC.RETARY OP STATE sOR i-vAR stated that a tele­ gram had been sent to Egypt' enquiringv:he ther a brigade , -.. of medium artillery and two cavalry regiments ,could be. spared .and a reply to that telegram was still awaited. It was agreed :-­ (See Conclusions (b) (i,)( ii, ) (iii), (iv), (v) & (vi). '

THE PRIME MINISTER ashed the Pirst Sea Lord for his

views as to the nature of the assistance that could be given by the Admiralty,. THE PIRST SEA LORD read an appreciation of the situ- .. at ion prepared by the late lommander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean in June,. 1921, the sense of which was that the Navy, could keep open, the Dardanelles in the face of any action that could ' be. taken by the Memalisi forces. The Navy could ensure the withdrawal of the forces at. Constantinople in case of need.

If. the risk, of the

passage of "the Dardanelles by troopships was too great, the troops.could be. put on board battleships.

It would also

be possible to evacuate, them-by conveying them by sea to the. Eulair. Peninsula across. which they could march and be reambarked

I

re-embarked oh tha ^4 ^irlraaaBeaji aJLde-* THE CHIEF OP TBS AIR STAFF repcrttui fchat, as regards Air Force re infer cements, tbe "Argus" Vaa*. duo to leave .England today with a flight cf seaplanes and sjirp­ fighters, that is, 10 seaplanes and 6 aeroplanes, with a reserve of 150 per cent. the Mediterranean,.

The "Pegasus" was already in

In anticipation of eventualities

orders had been sent to Egypt to prepare a squadron for transfer to Constantinople.

That squadron would be ready

to sail, the first part on Wednesday and the second part on Saturday, if shipping were available; and would be able to fly in 10 days.

There was no other squadron in

Egypt suitable for transfer to the Dardanelles.

The next

squadron must therefore go from England. . It was proposed to ask the Admiralty if the "Ark Royal" could be spared, aJS it would probably be found more convenient to send a squadran cf Brls*oQL fighters. THE FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY observed that the "Ark Royal" would be available by Saturday, if it were decided that she should be sent. THE CHIEF OF TBE AIR STAFF said that in view of the statements that had been made as to the situation, he suggested that a further squadron of bombers should be dea­ patched.

He was of the opinion that the fighting machines

could disorganise the traffic on the roads and that the bombers would be of great assistance in stopping the movement of the heavy guns on the road and interfering also squadron of with their fire. It was necessary /bo procide fir/ single seater fighters, as the Turks are reported to possess some French "Spads".

He was doubtful if many of them were fit to

fly, but in any case it was necessary that we should be able to destroy them at once. It was agreed :­ (See Conclusions (d) & (e)). (The Chief of the Imperial General Staff and Air Marshal Treuchard left at this point). -7­

ijgH S H I P P I N G jHB REMOVAL gjTjGSES SlOTA *

4.

(Representatives of the Shipping Department of the Board Of Trade were here called i n ) . Mr . H .A . Payne Mr. C. Hipwood and Mr. A .E. Paulkner. THE PRIME! MI BISTER explained Briefly the situation.

If the Kemalisfa refused permission to the Greek Shipping to enter Smyrna in order to remove refugees, it might he necessary to send Allied shipping to Smyrna fcir that purpose.

He enquired what steps could he taken to

expedite the arrangements if that need arose. MR, FAULKNER explained that the Board of Trade could make arrangements with three leading shipping Companies, the Cunard, Ellerman and the Khedival Mail Line, subject to a settlement at a later date.

It was probable

that there were 15 ships within 48 hours of Smyrna.. The cost would be considerable, owing to the commit­ ments of the ships.

The taking up of two or three ships

for a week would cost several thousand pounds.

The

ships were of about 3jOOO tons and could each carry about 1,500 persons for the short voyage involved, (about 18 hours). MR. PAYNE added that before the refugees were embarked at Smyrna, it would be necessary to ebtain an assurance from the Greek Government that the refugees would be allowed to land in Greek territory, either on the mainland or on the island.. THE FIRST SEA LORD stated that he would telegraph to the Commander-in-Chief to enquire what the reply of the Turks had been to the request of the Italian Admiral for permission for Greek ships to enter Smyrna,, and also if he knew of any British ships in the vicinity that could be. made available in ca.se of need.

He would pass

on the information that he obtained to the Board of Trade

0

MR. CHAMBERLAIN suggested that the Admiralty should also be instructed to enquire whether Kemal pasha would allow British ships to enter Smyrna'if Greek ships were refused admission.

8

THE/

THE PRIME .MINISTER was of opinion that, a telsgrant­ should be sent to the Greek" Tkrvernraer^ assistance and informing them of what we had decided to do in the event of Greek shipping not being allowed to enter Smyrna. It was agreed

.

(See Conclusions (f), (g), & (h), (The First Sea Lord and the representatives of the Board of Trade left at this point )

e

CONCLUSIONS EL ACHED AT A CONFERENCE OF MINISTERS on MONDAY, -SEPTEMBER 13th, JLS&ii, at IS,0 Noon.

Tho Conference agreedr­ f a)

That the Admiralty shall send a further telegram to the Naval Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, notifying him that the Navy is responsible for preventing, as far as lies within its power, the passage of Mustapha Kernel's'forces from Asia Into Europe, and giving him authority to take all steps which he deems necessary for the fulfilment of this obligation.

ft)

That the War Qffioe should take the following steps:­ (i)

f 11)

Prepare for embarkation and order the necessary shipping transport for the experimental brigade at Aldershot, composed of two battalions of Guards., one Battalion Rifle Brigade, and one Battalion Royal Fusilier s-. This should be subjeot to possible suspension of aotion by the Government if circum­ stances should render this desirable; Subject to a favourable reply to a telegram already.sent to Egypt, arrange for the early despatch to General Harington s Command of a brigade of field artillery ' from Egypt, as v/ell as of two regiments of Cavalry, and two Batteries Pack Artillery; 1

fiii)

fiv)

.(v)

(vi)

r( c)

Consult lord Allenby as to whether he. can permit two Battalions of infantry to proceed forthwith to Constantinople on the understanding that these battalions will be replaced at the earliest possible moment by Battalions on home service establishment; Send 9-2" howitzers to General Harington for use at Gallipoli, if this is found to be feasible, and suggest to General Harihgtsn the immediate preparation of sites for their reception; Enquire from General Harington whether the Turkish guns and howitzers in the Gallipoli Peninsula have yet been destroyed, and invite him in the contrary event to consider whether they could be used to assist in maintaining the passage of the Straits or, alternatively, whether the guns and their ammunition should now be destroyed; Send to General Harington 's Command additional medium artillery (if any) that can be spared from Malta br Gibraltar. T

To "take, note of and-approve the despatch at the end of tho present week by' the Admiralty to Constantinople pf a force of 1,000 Royal Marines^

(d) That the Air Ministry should immediately prepare and arrange shipping for an, if General Haringtdn desires it, should despatch a squadron of bombing aeroplanes and a squadron of Pighters from England to Constantinople, in addition to the two squadrons and the naval aircraft for which arrangements are already being made under Cabinet authority. Immediate steps to be taken tt? consult General Harington as to whether he requires these additional squadrons. (e) That the Pirst Sea ,ord, Chief of the Imperial General Staff and Chief of the Air Staff should meet at 3.0 p.m. the same afternoon, and report to the Conference at 5.0 p m on the following questions :9

(1)

a

The power of the P.avy to secure the passage cf warships, transports, and­ other shipping through the Dardanelles in tha event of the loss by the Allies of the Asiatic shore of the Dardanelles, while they still hold the Gallipoli Peninsula. Special eensideration to be given to the appreciation sent to the Admiralty in June, 1921 by Admiral de MeebeoS: after consultation with the military authorities at C ons tantinople.

(ii) The present position as to the re­ inforcement of the naval, military and aerial forces at the Dardanelles.

(t)

That the Admiralty Bh.ou.ld asoertain as soon as possible from the Naval CoEmiander-in-Chief In the Mediterranean, first, what reply has been given, to Mustapha IJomai to the request of the Allied Senior Naval Officers at Smyrna, oonveyei by the Italian Admiral, that Greek merchant shipping may be permitte-tl to enter Smyrna for the purpose of taking away refugees; eecend, whether British shipping will be allowed to enter the port for this purpose; and third whether he knows,of any British ships in the vioinity tha£ could bo utilised for the transport cf refugees. This information, when received, to be paB30cL on to the Board of Trade.

(g)

That the Secretary of State fer Foreign Affairs.should inform the £reek Government that the British Government are concerned at the position cf refugees dt Smyrna; that the Allied Admirals are making the application referred to above in (tU that, -if Greek ships are ndt allowed to proceed tc Smyrna, the British Government propose tO make arrangements for British ships to go there for the purpose of bringing away refugees, if permitted; and obtain assurances from the Greek Government that the refugees will be permitted to land on the main­ land or islands of Greece.

,h)

That the Board of Trade should make inquiries as tc what British shipping can be made available for the transport of refugees from Smyrna and on what terras, in order that, if and when action is decided on, it may be taken as effectually and as economically as possible.

(i)

To reserve the question of financial assistance to Smyrna refugees for further consideration. The Treasury to make inquiries as to whatuwas done In the comparatively recent case of refugees from Russia,

Whitehall

Gardens, s.W.1.

18th September, 192£.

IS DOCUMENT 13 THE 1'ROBERTY OP HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY S GOVERNMENT, 3 :

C Mi

R E T. COPS

"

'

mmg- MINUTES of a Conference of Ministers held at 10., o w n i n g Street, S W* on Monday, 18th September, 19B£, at 5 p.m. 6

P R E S E III:­ (In the Chair). The Right Hon, The Viscount Birkenhead, Lord Chancellor. jfht Hon.Sir Robert H o m e , G,B.E.,The Most Hon. The Iviarquess Curzon 11.P., Chancellor of the , of Kedlestons K.G.,G.C S,I., pquer. G.C.I.E., Secretary . of State for . Poreign 0

Affairs.

jht Hon. W.S. Churchill, M.P., !i;ary of State for the lies.

The Right Hon. Sir L Vvorthington­ Evans, Bart., G.B.E ,M,.P., Secretary of State for War. 4

a

:

The Right Eon. Lerd Lee of Fareham, G.B*E.,Z.C.B., Jj'irst Lord of the Admiralty.

THE FOLLOWING mm 11 of the Fleet i^arl Beatty, !,,0,M,,IJ,C.T.0,,I!.S 0., It Sea Lord and Chief of 1 btaff. 4

rshal Sir H*M, Trenche.rd, -,K:.C B ,D.SoO ,, Chief of the Staff. a

fc

ALSO PRESENT: ­ General the Earl of Cavan, K.P., G.C.M.G.,G C.V.O.,Z.C.B., Chief of the Imperial General Staff. 6

Sir iidward Grigg, Z.C.V.O.,C.M.G.

s

' Sir M.P.A. EanMoyj, G.C B*, K

Secretary.

Assistant

Secretary Sir John Chancellor, Z.C.M.G. ,D.S.O., Principal Committee of Imperial Defenoe.