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252

(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 y
kond&y, 18th September, 1922, at 1 Noon.

P R E S S W T : -

THE IRIME MINISTER (Ih the Chair)

ie Right Hon. A.Chamberlain, M.P.,
Lord -trivy Seal.
jie Sight Hon. Sir Robert H o m e ,
(J.B.K. jZI.C. ,M.P., Chancellor of
the Exchequer.
The Right Hon. fhe discount
Birkenhe&d, Lord Chancellor.
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/Ahrthington-

Secretary 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, Air Chief Marshal Sir H u g h SBreneh^rd,.:
l0.M.,G.C.3.,G.C.V.O.,L.S.O., 5C.C.B.,B.S.O., Chief of the Air
pirst Sea Lord. Staff.

feral the Earl of C&van, IC.P., Air Commodore, J.M. steel, CB.,C.M.G.,J
hC.M.G.,G.C.V.O.,*C.C.B., Chief C B J i . , Director of Operations
[of the Imperial General staff. artd Intelligence, ^ir Ministry.

H.A. Payne, C.B., second Mr. ^.25. Faulkner, C.B.E., Mercantile

pecretarj, hoard *f ^rade, Marine itept: Board of Trade.
]?or conclusion 4 ) . (For conclusion 4 ) .

Hipwood, C.B., Mercantile Sir Edward Grigg,iC.C.V.O.,C.M.G.,

fcrine Lept: Board of ii'rade.
For conclusion 4 ).

(at-Col. Sir M.F.A. Eankey, G.C.B.,

it-Col. Sir John Chancellor, E.C.M.G., D.S.O,,
Secretary, Cabinet.

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,
 GRECO- 1. THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR read a telegram which
IHKISH
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 2. LORD CUR2OH raised the ouestion as to whether it was

K 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
 General Staff
about 3,000.* 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. To that
force we could only oppose one battalione 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 V
-a
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 "Pegasus" was already in
the Mediterranean,. 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 4. (Representatives of the Shipping Department of the
jHB REMOVAL Board Of Trade were here called i n ) .
gjTjGSES
SlOTA * 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) 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;

f 11) Subject to a favourable reply to a

telegram already.sent to Egypt, arrange
for the early despatch to General Harington s
1

Command of a brigade of field artillery

' from Egypt, as v/ell as of two regiments
of Cavalry, and two Batteries Pack Artillery;
fiii) 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;

fiv) 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;
.(v) 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;
(vi) Send to General Harington 's Command
T

additional medium artillery (if any) that

can be spared from Malta br Gibraltar.
r( c) 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
9 a

questions :-

(1) 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 R E T.
Mi COPS
" ' mmg- MINUTES of a Conference of Ministers
held at 10., o w n i n g Street, S W* on Monday, 18th
6

September, 19B, at 5 p.m.

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., 0

pquer. G.C.I.E., Secretary . of State for

. Poreign Affairs.
jht Hon. W.S. Churchill, M.P., The Right Hon. Sir L Vvorthington
4

!i;ary of State for the Evans, Bart., G.B.E ,M,.P., a

lies. Secretary of State for War. :

The Right Eon. Lerd Lee of Fareham,

G.B*E.,Z.C.B., Jj'irst Lord of the
Admiralty.

THE FOLLOWING mm ALSO PRESENT:

11 of the Fleet i^arl Beatty, General the Earl of Cavan, K.P.,
!,,0,M,,IJ,C.T.0,,I!.S 0., 4
G.C.M.G.,G C.V.O.,Z.C.B., Chief
6

It Sea Lord and Chief of of the Imperial General Staff.

1 btaff.
rshal Sir H*M, Trenche.rd, Sir iidward Grigg, Z.C.V.O.,C.M.G.
-,K:.C B ,D.SoO ,, Chief of the
a fc s

Staff.

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

Sir John Chancellor, Z.C.M.G. ,D.S.O., Principal Assistant

Secretary
Committee of Imperial Defenoe.