Notes concerning the widespread industrial unrest including observations on the following subjects: the threat posed by trade unionism; the concepts of sympathetic strikes and the general strike; and the lack of control in the event of a railway strike. Suggestions are made for a meeting between the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] and large industrial employers or the establishment of a committee. Manuscript on the notepaper of the Board of Trade.

Newspaper cutting of an article from the Times entitled "Wages in the Coal Trade: a Dangerous Situation".

Letter from Sir George Askwith [Comptroller General Commercial, Labour and Statistical Departments] (Board of Trade) to [WSC] enclosing a memorandum [see CHAR 12/12/15-20] concerning proposals to deal with the problem of industrial unrest. Signed manuscript.

Memorandum prepared by [Sir George Askwith, Comptroller General Commercial, Labour and Statistical Departments, Board of Trade] concerning proposals to deal with the problem of industrial unrest. He discusses proposals for: a meeting between the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] and industrial employers (suggested names are included); and the establishment of a conciliation department. He provides answers to possible objections to this scheme. Manuscript. Covering letter at CHAR 12/12/14.

Letter from Sir George Askwith [Comptroller General Commercial, Labour and Statistical Departments, Board of Trade] (Gwyndyr House, Whitehall [London]) to WSC enclosing the names and addresses [see CHAR 12/12/22] of heads of industries [who would be suitable for a meeting with the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] to discuss the problem of industrial unrest]. Signed manuscript.

Names and addresses of heads of industries [who would be suitable for a meeting with the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith] to discuss the problem of industrial unrest]. Typescript annotated by Sir George Askwith. Covering letter at CHAR 12/12/21.

Letter from Colonel Sir Douglas Dawson (Medmenham Abbey, Marlow [Buckinghamshire]) to WSC describing the "peaceful picketing" taking place at Paddington Station which he says is preventing goods from being taken out of the station. Signed manuscript.

Draft telegram from WSC to King George V including a report from the Chief Constable of Liverpool which describes the deterioration of the dock strike and the rioting in Liverpool. WSC includes details of the troops which have been sent to Liverpool and to areas close to Manchester and London. Typescript. Copy at CHAR 12/12/67, draft at CHAR 12/12/30-34.

Telegram from King George V to WSC expressing his pleasure that the strike has come to an end and congratulating the police for their role. Manuscript.

Draft telegram from [WSC] describing the deterioration of the dock strike and rioting in Liverpool. He discusses the strike among tram workers which has not taken place and the possibility that the general manager of one of the railway companies has negotiated with the leader of the strike committee. Includes covering sheet giving the date and time of the dispatch of the telegram. Manuscript.

Copy of a telegram from WSC to King George V including a report from the Chief Constable of Liverpool which describes the deterioration of the dock strike and the rioting in Liverpool. WSC includes details of the troops which have been sent to Liverpool and to areas close to Manchester and London. Manuscript in the hand of WSC. Copy telegrams at CHAR 12/12/24 and CHAR 12/12/67.

Letter from Edward, 17th Lord Derby (Grand Hotel, Harrogate [Yorkshire]) to WSC marked "confidential". He reports that he has received a telephone message from the Mayor of Liverpool who is afraid that there will be a revolution and wholesale looting in Liverpool. Derby says that a settlement is unlikely as neither side respects the Board of Trade representative. He urges immediate action to establish arbitration and offers his assistance. Signed manuscript.

[Transcript of a letter from] King George V [to WSC] concerning the riots in Liverpool which appear to be more like a revolution than a strike. He asks whether Labour leaders could help in forcing a settlement, and says that troops should not be deployed in a "half hearted" way. Manuscript in the hand of Edward Marsh, on the notepaper of the Home Secretary.

Copy of a report on the railway strike. Subjects covered include: the suspension of goods trains which threatens the food supply to South Wales and the area between Newcastle, Liverpool, Nottingham and Hull and the lack of accurate information from the railway companies concerning efforts to resume services and the extent of the strike. Typescript with manuscript alterations and a note on the dorse concerning the return of troops and the enlistment of special constables.

Telegram from King George V to WSC thanking him for his telegram informing him that the strike has ended, and for the accounts he has provided during the strike. The King says that he is pleased that the troops are to return to their districts and expresses regret for the "unfortunate incident at Llanelly [Camarthenshire, Wales]". He also congratulates WSC on the measures he took which prevented further loss of life. Manuscript.

Letter from J Freeth (Cardiff [Glamorgan, Wales]) addressed to "My dear General" about the possibility of a general strike in the coal industry over the issue of minimum wages which he thinks will take place in October, and which would threaten the coal supply to the Admiralty. Signed manuscript.

Letter from Reginald McKenna [First Lord of the Admiralty] to WSC informing him that the Admiralty is making efforts to ensure the early delivery of coal because of the possibility of a coal strike. He thanks WSC for sending him a letter from J Freeth [see CHAR 12/12/46]. Signed manuscript.

Typescript notes explaining reasons for the Government's actions to secure supplies of food and fuel [during the railway and dock strikes] which are described as motivated by the responsibility of the Government to the public, and the working classes in particular, not by support to either side in the dispute. Annotated by WSC. See CHAR 12/12/49-50.

Copy of a letter from [WSC, Home Office] to the Adjutant General concerning the presence of the Metropolitan Police in South Wales. As there is no sign of resolution in the strike it is proposed that the infantry force should be strengthened so that the police may be removed. WSC asks whether the War Office will be prepared to supply further infantry forces if Major-General [Cecil] Macready [Director of Personal Services, War Office] should require them. Unsigned typescript.

Notes by [Sir Edward Troup, Permanent Under Secretary of State, Home Office] providing information about industrial unrest in various parts of the country including: London, Liverpool (where shortage of food is a problem), Manchester, Sheffield [Yorkshire], Derby, and Cardiff [Glamorgan, Wales]. Manuscript.

Notes [?by WSC] about the railway strike including the areas in which the majority of railway workers are on strike and where there is a threat of famine. The help of the population in the affected regions is appealed for and a promise is made that "there is nothing that the Government will not do that is in their power". Unsigned typescript annotated by WSC "Secret. Put by".

Section of a draft telegram to be ciphered and sent from [WSC] to King George V detailing the extent of the railway strike and the percentage of railway workers on strike in individual areas, and warning that the stoppage of goods trains in the strike areas threatens an estimated 20 million people with famine. Typescript.

Copy of a letter from WSC (Home Office) to King George V saying that it is likely that the strike will be settled, suggesting that a message of the King's satisfaction should be made public, and asking for permission to congratulate the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police on behalf of the King. Unsigned typescript.