The War Cabinet decided that the Admiralty and War Office should concert arrangements to lend four horse transports to the French Government, subject to the condition we could recall them if we needed them ourselves.
The forthcoming Conference in Russia2. The War Cabinet had some discussion as to the Minister to represent the British Government at the forthcoming Conference in Russia. It was pointed out that this Conference has been proposed on our initiative, and that great disappointment would be caused if some prominent Minister did not represent us. The objects of the Conference were to arrange a meeting between prominent Generals of the British and Russian armies; to discover not only how we could help Russia with munitions, and how far the Russians could make effective use of them, but also how far the Russians could assist us financially and by making better use of Russian man-power for meeting their own requirements.
The War Cabinet decided that the Foreign Office should inform our Allies that our representatives would be ready to start immediately after Christmas. No final decision was taken as regards a Ministerial representative, but the opinion was expressed that, if Mr. Balfour's state of health would permit him to go, it would be very much in the national interest.
Greece3. A Summary of telegrams received in regard to Greece since the last meeting of the War Cabinet is attached in Appendix I.
The War Cabinet reached the following decisions:—
(b.) In reply to the telegram from the British Minister at Athens, No. 1989, dated the 10th December, 1916 (Appendix III), asking what interpretation should be given to the expression "Northern Greece" in Foreign Office telegram No. 1465 (Appendix II), the Foreign Office should state that the expression "Northern Greece" is intended to mean Thessaly in the first part of the telegram which refers to the removal of Greek Troops from Northern Greece to the Morea; but that, in the second part of the telegram referring to movements of Greek troops from Morea to Northern Greece, the expression is to imply any part of Greece north of the Morea.
(c.) The Foreign Office should send a telegram to the French Government asking that, pending the result of the Ultimatum to the Greek Government, the Fleet should be instructed to stop any movement of troops northward from the Morea. This telegram to be repeated to the British Minister at Athens.
(d.) The Admiralty to send a copy of this telegram to the Vice-Admiral Commanding, Eastern Mediterranean.
(e.) The Foreign Office should instruct the British Minister at Athens to go on board ship as soon as he has communicated with the Greek Government. That if no satisfactory reply is received in 24 hours he should report the fact to the Foreign Office, and inform the King and Greek Government that the ship will leave after a further 24 hours, on expiry of which the ship should start.
