861.00/5666: Telegram
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Davis) to the Secretary of State
[Received November 15, 6 p.m.]
3394. Your No. 6171, November 11,93 was delayed in decoding. According to a probably well-founded rumor Lloyd George’s Guildhall speech was delivered without previous notice to his Cabinet colleagues. I am confirmed in this belief by Churchill’s attitude while speech was being delivered. Three days later in answer to a direct question as to what Lloyd George meant Churchill replied that he presumed the Prime Minister meant that one must either fight or parley. On November 13 in the Commons Lloyd George answered questions. His replies, however, were characteristic in their lack of precision. He made four statements of policy:
- 1.
- The Commons should assume responsibility for any additional expenditure in support of Russian forces and determine what extra taxes should be levied for that purpose.
- 2.
- The British Government has always been prepared to take any responsible opportunity presenting itself to bring about a settlement of the Russian problem on conditions which would in fact bring to Russia peace, good order and constitutional government on terms which the people of Russia themselves are willing to accept.
- 3.
- An international conference is proposed at which the several serious outstanding problems which so far the Paris Conference has been unable to settle will be considered by the Ministers of the Allied and Associated Powers. Among these problems will be that of Russia.
- 4.
- No new policy will be inaugurated nor will the country be committed to any fresh action without the Commons having complete opportunity to discuss it.
I do not get any meaning out of the Guildhall speech other than an indication that the Prime Minister is willing to parley with all Russian factions. The speech has not removed this impression. It is impossible to predict future policy because of apparent inconsistencies between statements by Lloyd George and other members of the Government.