Janus: The Papers of Leopold Amery

Churchill/AMEL 1 contains:
1	The Times, South Africa and "The Problem of the Army"
2	Political, up to First World War
3	First World War, Colonial Office and Admiralty
4	Secretary of State for the Colonies
5	General political, 1930s
6	India Office and the Second World War
7	1940's and post-war

More information

Please feel free to contact the repository.

The Papers of Leopold Amery

Title	The Times, South Africa and "The Problem of the Army"
Reference	AMEL 1/1
Covering Dates	1881–1949 (The majority of folios date from 1895-1909.)
Extent and Medium	7 archive boxes

Content and context

Correspondence on LSA's work as a war correspondent for the Times in South Africa, on writing the Times History of the South African War, and also on his articles on tariff reform and army reform, and the subsequent debate on reform of the army and War Office.

Further information

Letters from Geoffrey Dawson to LSA while Editor of the Johannesburg Star are at AMEL 2/1/34.

Index Terms

The Times

Churchill/AMEL 1/1 contains:

Articles. Printed, manuscript and annotated draft articles by LSA for publications including the Times, British Economic Association and Manchester Guardian, on subjects including: Turkey; the situation in Macedonia; the internal crisis in Austria-Hungary; Serbia; events in Syria; Franz Josef I, Emperor of Austria; Austro-Hungarian financial relations; Bulgaria.
3 files.

May 1895-Apr 1899

Correspondence: LSA to Valentine Chirol. Letters from LSA, mainly to Chirol [Director of the Foreign Department of the Times] and also to George Buckle [Editor of the Times] on LSA's work as the Times war correspondent in South Africa. Also includes letter to LSA from Major-General Ian Hamilton [Military Secretary, Headquarters] confirming that LSA's views on South Africa were being advocated and urging him to set to work.
2 files.

Mar 1899-Jan 1903

Correspondence: Valentine Chirol to LSA. Letters from Chirol [Director of the Foreign Department of the Times] and also from George Buckle [Editor of the Times] on LSA's work as the Times war correspondent in South Africa, and also on events in China.
1 file.

Oct 1899-Apr 1901

Miscellaneous correspondence on South African War. Includes: correspondence between LSA and Walter Garnett, Assistant Under Secretary of State, Commonwealth Relations Office, on South African state records (1948-49); manuscript article by LSA on the military future of the Boers; copy of an article on Winston Churchill's escape from the Boers; letters and papers from the Boer authorities, including transcripts of messages from Louis Botha [Commander-in-Chief of the Boer forces] and Jan Smuts.
1 file.

Oct 1899-Mar 1949

Summary of correspondence with Valentine Chirol. Transcripts summarising letters from LSA to Chirol [Director of the Foreign Department of the Times] on LSA's work as the Times war correspondent in South Africa, particularly his discussions with Sir Alfred Milner [British High Commissioner for South Africa] and on Cecil Rhodes.
1 file.

Sep 1899-Jul 1900

Letters: Moberly Bell to LSA. Letters from [Charles] Moberly Bell [Assistant Manager of the Times] on LSA's work as the Times war correspondent in South Africa and writer of the Times History of the South African War.
2 files.

Oct 1899-Apr 1903

M. Hamburger documents. Letters on case brought against W J Leyds by his former secretary, M Hamburger, and on documents on the South African War which Hamburger wanted to sell to the Times, with other correspondents including W M Fullerton (5).
1 file.

Jul 1899-Jul 1907

Correspondence with Lionel James. Correspondence with Lionel James [special correspondent for the Times in South Africa] on LSA's Times History of the South African War.
1 file.

Jan 1901-Dec 1903

Miscellaneous papers on the Times History of the South African War. Includes press reviews.
1 file.

c 1909

General letters on South Africa, A - Z. Letters on LSA's Times History of the South African War, with correspondents including: General 1st Lord Kitchener, Commander-in-Chief in South Africa, authorising officers to send information of historical value to LSA; [Henry] Montague Bell [Times War Correspondent, South African War] (7); Richard Haldane; Lieutenant-General Sir Ian Hamilton on the Boers and Somaliland; Bernard Holland [Private Secretary to Secretary of State for Colonies] on the new constitution of the Transvaal; Major Edward Leggett, Director of Burgher Camps and Settlements, Transvaal, on subjects including the maintenance of Imperial troops in South Africa, Louis Botha, sending more troops to South Africa, settling the colonies, training, 1st Lord Milner [High Commissioner for South Africa], other members of the colonial authorities, and the Boer leaders (14); L J Maxse [Editor of the National Review]; Francis Rhodes [Governor of Mashonaland and Matabeleland] on subjects including the funeral of his brother Cecil Rhodes and vindicating his memory (3); Sir Percy Scott, Commandant of Durban; Mary, Lady Solomon; Captain Evelyn Wood. Also includes: account by LSA of a journey in Rhodesia [later Zambia and Zimbabwe], 1902.
2 files.

Jan 1900-Feb 1904

Miscellaneous correspondence on Times History of the South African War. Comments and congratulations on the History, sent to LSA (and to Lionel James, special correspondent for the Times in South Africa), with correspondents including: Edmund Childers; [?] Margaret Clifford; Major-General Sir Henry Colville (2); 12th Lord Dundonald [earlier Lord Cochrane]; George Fiddes, Political Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, on subjects including the political situation in South Africa; Major-General Sir John French [Commander, 1st Army Corps, later 1st Lord Ypres] (6); Sir Conyngham Greene [former Chargé d'Affaires at Pretoria], on subjects including agreeing that the British Government had underestimated the Boers (2); 1st Lord Goschen (2); Lieutenant-General Sir Ian Hamilton [Military Secretary, Headquarters]; G F R Henderson (4); Bron Herbert on subjects including General Sir Redvers Buller [former commander of the Forces in South Africa] (3); John Hichens (3); Colonel Richard Hippisley [Director of Telegraphs, South African War]; Lieutenant-General Neville Lyttelton [former commander of the Forces in South Africa]; L J Maxse [Editor of the National Review] (3); General 3rd Lord Methuen; Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Murray; George Prothero; Lieutenant-Colonel Charles A'Court-Repington [earlier Charles A'Court] (29); Major Michael Rimington; Francis Rhodes; Field-Marshal 1st Lord Roberts [former Commander-in-Chief, South Africa] (4); [?] Colonel Alexander Rochfort; Major-General Arthur Hart-Synnot [earlier Arthur Hart]; Major-General John Talbot Coke [commanded 10th Brigade Natal Field Force, South Africa]; Charles Trevelyan; Charles Warner (3); Captain Evelyn Wood (7); [?] Major-General Arthur Wynne.
4 files.

Oct 1899-Jun 1905

South African Articles. Press-cuttings of articles by LSA for the Times on the South African War.
1 volume; Fragile..

Sep 1899-Jan 1900

South African Articles. Press-cuttings of articles by LSA for the Times on the South African War.
1 volume; Fragile..

Feb 1900-Aug 1900

Correspondence A-Z on "The Problem of the Army". 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.
4 files.

Dec 1902-Dec 1904

Letters, mainly military, A - Z. Correspondence on War Office and army reform following LSA's series of articles for the Times, "The Problem of the Army". Correspondents include: Lieutenant-Colonel Oliver Armstrong on subjects including the war between Japan and Russia, and the unpreparedness of the army (2); Hugh Arnold-Forster [Secretary of State for War] on LSA's suggestions (5); Mary Arnold-Forster (5); Major-General Robert Baden-Powell [Inspector-General of Cavalry] on improving cavalry horses and equipment (4); Arthur Balfour [Prime Minister]; George Buckle [Editor of the Times] asking LSA to write a Times leader on a speech by Hugh Arnold-Forster; Sir George Clarke [Member of War Office Reconstitution Committee, later 1st Lord Sydenham] (24); Colonel Charles Callwell, Intelligence Division, War Office; Major Frederick Cunliffe; Sir Clinton Dawkins [former Chairman of Committee on War Office Reorganisation] on the ideas of Hugh Arnold-Forster and the shortage of forces for South Africa (3); Gerald Ellison [Secretary, War Office Reconstitution Committee] on his admiration for LSA's articles (2); 2nd Lord Esher [Chairman of the War Office Reconstitution Committee, earlier Reginald Brett] (13); Major-General Sir John French [commander, 1st Army Corps, later 1st Lord Ypres] on [?] LSA's history of the South African War, cavalry training and British interests in Turkey (3); Edward Grey; Richard Haldane; General 1st Lord Kitchener [Commander-in-Chief, India]; Major Edward Leggett, Director of Burgher Camps and Settlements, Transvaal, on subjects including forces coming to South Africa, colonial policy and the prestige of the British administration (2); Lieutenant-General Sir Neville Lyttelton [commanding the Forces in South Africa] on subjects including morale among the forces and using volunteer officers (4); Ian Malcolm; Colonel Raymond Marker [aide-de-camp to Lord Kitchener in India] on administration of the forces in India; L J Maxse [Editor of the National Review]; J H Patterson (5); Henry Rawlinson [Commandant Staff College] (2); Lieutenant-Colonel Charles A'Court-Repington [earlier Charles A'Court] on subjects including working on the Times History of the South African War, the war between Russia and Japan, the sale of warships by Chile and Argentina, Lord Kitchener as Secretary of State for War and rifle trials (24); Zelie, Lady Colville; [Henry] Spenser Wilkinson [Morning Post]; Captain Evelyn Wood (12). Also includes: memoranda by LSA sent to Hugh Arnold-Forster on army reorganization; list of witnesses called before the War Office (Reconstitution) Committee.
6 files.

Jan 1903-Apr 1905

Leaders and Articles by LSA. Press-cuttings of articles by LSA on general subjects for the Times.
1 volume.

Sep 1906-Nov 1906

Tariff Reformer articles and speeches. Papers by LSA on tariff reform and Imperial Preference, including: press-cuttings of Times articles and letters to the Times written by LSA; pamphlet, The Case for Tariff Reform; text and notes for speeches by LSA on fiscal reform and Imperial policy; notes on tariff reform and constructive policy; notes on the Trade Union Tariff Reform League.
3 files.

Aug 1903-Feb 1909

The Riddle of the Tariff. Copy of a pamphlet on tariff reform by Arthur Pigou.
1 file.

Oct 1903

"The Problem of the Army" and army reform. Memoranda, notes and articles on War Office and army reform relating to LSA's series of articles for the Times, The Problem of the Army, including: account by LSA of writing the articles and his subsequent involvement in reform; extract from speech by Major-General Sir Frederick Roberts on improving the army (1881); notes on colonial forces, particularly in South Africa; annotated reprint of the articles; outline by 2nd Lord Esher [Chairman of the War Office Reconstitution Committee, earlier Reginald Brett] of the division of duties at a reformed War Office; evidence given by LSA to [? the War Office Reconstitution Committee] on his time as the Times war correspondent in South Africa and his observations on the need for army reform; notes by John Clauson [Secretary, Colonial Defence Committee and Assistant Secretary, Committee of Imperial Defence] on a paper by LSA on colonial forces; memorandum by LSA to Richard Haldane [Secretary of State for War].
2 files.

1881-Dec 1947

Times articles on army reform. Press-cuttings of articles written by LSA for the Times, The Problem of the Army.
1 file.

Feb 1903-Nov 1903