The Woes of June
Machinations of Governance, June 8th 1915, London
Lord Robert Cecil looked up from his desk as the door opened. Although
it was approaching midSummer the office in the old stone-built building
was cold, and a small fire blazed in the hearth. The dull sunlight of
a cloudy June morning seeped in through thw windows, casting a soft grey
light upon the room.
"Have you any more news ?"
The man who entered and posed the question was well turned-out in coat
and tails, evidence of a recently-removed top hat in the creases on his
forehead.
"Not since I spoke to Chamberlain last night" Lord Robert rubbed
at his eyes. That had been a late session, and he knew he should be getting
more sleep, but these were crucial times and man could stop for no thing.
The Earl of Derby nodded and paused, thoughtful, for a moment. Seeming
to address the wall he commented,
"It is taking time" he said, "Time in which we are vulnerable
as a nation. We need to finalise a new government - and soon."
"I quite agree" Lord Robert set down the papers that he had
been perusing, "All this delay... Even Churchill remains in office
until the agreements are finalised."
"That is not necessarily a bad thing" Derby again appeared to
address the wall, "He has spirit and energy. He may have been responsible
for the fleet, but he was not responsible for the battle."
"Jellicoe yet remains in charge" Lord Robert pointed out.
"That is unfortunate, I agree" Derby at last turned his focus
towards the heir to the earldom of Salisbury, "I had word from Henderson."
"Yes ?" Lord Robert's tone was cautious. Arthur Henderson had
replaced the fiery MacDonald as leader of the Labour Party upon the outbreak
of the war, leading the majority of the Labour Party into alignment with
the government and Opposition in suppoorting the war effort, whilst MacDonald
and a minority of pacifists broke away to speak against it.
"He intimated that he would not serve under Law."
"That makes sense" Lord Robert agreed, nevertheless groaning
inwardly. If Chamberlain and certain others in the party got their way
then Law would be put up as a candidate for Prime Minister. The negotiations
were stalled, three distinct avenues remaining open, each with its own
die-hard supporters but the majority of party members content to go whatever
way the majority decided.
"As leader of the Labour Party he indicated that he did not believe
that the unions would back his position if he served under the leader
of the Conservatives."
"I understand" Lord Robert assured the earl, "But it complicates
things yet further. We need Henderson - there is already unrest, strikes
even I have heard."
"In the North, yes" the Earl of Derby spoke with knowledge of
his own part of the country, "As yet it is only small-scale, protests
against the conduct of the war. But there are murmurrings, and MacDonald
has been invited to address striking workers in Glasgow."
"Things will go poorly if the pacifists begin building support within
industry"
"Henderson is in agreement" the earl concurred.
"And what of Balfour ?"
"As an elder statesman, Henderson indicated he may be able to agree
to that."
"But Asquith remains his ideal choice ?"
The earl looked away, back towards the wall,
"It does."
"I have spoken to members" Lord Robert said slowly, weighing
his words carefully, "Many believe Asquith's remaining as Prime Minister
would be acceptable if we actually hold the power."
"I too have heard that said" Derby admitted, "but many
difficulties present themselves."
"As in all options" Lord Robert mused, "Though Balfour
seems the best option."
"He would command the greater unity" the earl agreed.
Lord Robert leant back upon his chair and smiled, steepling his fingers
upon the desktop,
"I am meeting with Aitken this evening."
"That should be interesting" Derby said neutrally.
"I will let you know how it goes."
"Indeed . . . "
By Jon' N. Davies
