Dearest Emile,
it is with a heavy heart that I must postpone my travels to Paris, as I have come down with the most frightful case of influenza. I apologise my sincerely for this failing in my health, and I will make all necessary arrangements to re-arrange this much anticipated visit in the autumn if my schedule permits.
In the mean time please send my regards to Marie-Louise, and it is my sincerest wish to attend the Prix.
Your friend,
Edward
CO F Knollys,
Private Secretary,
Buckingham Palace
HIS MAJESTY CANCELS PARIS TIP
In a turn up for the books, it appears His Majesty is unable to travel to Paris due to ill health, though sources close to the Palace were forced to deny that Her Majesty was not too happy at the prospect of His Majesty returning the city of his wilder days.
Palace sources did confirm, however, that His Majesty does intend to travel to France is time permits in the autumn, so this paper wishes His Majesty a swift recovery from his present ailments.
Times of London,
April 1904
"In all my time as his private secretary, there were only a handful of occasions when His Majesty had to pull out of a foreign visit, and the cancelled trip to Paris in 1904 was one he regretted the most."
Francis Knollys speaking to Giles St Aubyn for Edward VII, Faber & Faber
I believe this is the perfect opportunity to re-engage with Berlin, though we must ensure we make no waves at this point.
Private internal memo, Colonial Affairs office 2nd May 1904
I remember reading through the draft report, and thinking to myself "Good Lord, if this is true, then Morel is completely vindicated, and the Belgians have a lot of explaining to do". For all his foibles, Casement did a capital job, capital job, and with hindsight the report probably saved the Empire from the machinations of the 2nd France-Prussian war. Of course Arthur was not happy at the state of affairs, and while the Arthur was pre-occupied with the Irish question, Henry was busily attempting to shoe in trips to Paris. I distinctly remember asking his to raise the Belgian question with the French President, and thankfully the Elysée Palace were receptive to our demands for an emergency meeting with the other 14 signatories of the Berlin conference.
Alfred Lyttlton discussing the origins of the Congo crisis with Lyle Emery, Chicago Sun Times expose, December 16th 1912
Called in to speak to Lord Landsdowne's committee on the Congo this morning, and told them the bald facts of the matter. All the gentlemen present were quite sanguine at the elaboration of the report, and I do believe there is hope for that benighted land yet.
Diary of Roger Casement, third volume, 7th June 1904.
PORT ARTHUR UNDER SIEGE!
It was confirmed by our correspondent in Port Arthur that the Russian Fleet has failed to break out of the harbour, and we have confirmation that our Japanese allies are now shelling the town itself. This comes just a month after the sinking of Yashima and Hatsuse, and confirms that the war may not be over as quickly as the Russians were anticipating.
In further news, unconfirmed reports of Russian naval manoeuvres in the Baltic and North Sea are circulating, though Lord Kerr's office were unavailable for comment.
Times of London, 26th June 1904
Dear Constantine,
Please convey His Majesty's Government's displeasure to the King, and make it clear that we expect nothing less then a full enquiry by the Belgian Parliament. I know that this is not a matter usually discussed at this level, and that the Congo is the King's personal property, but the report Casement presented leaves us with no choice but to act in the matter. Make it plain that Arthur and myself are in full agreement over this, and that is the parliament refuses to act there will be further ramifications.
Henry
Letter between Sir Constantine Phipps, British Ambassador to Belgium and Lord Henry Lansdowne 9th July 1904
Dear Mr Knollys,
It would give us great pleasure if we could re-arrange His Majesty's visit to Paris for the week beginning 28th October 1904, as the President has an opening during this period. In the mean time, if His Majesty is of the mind to join us for the Prix then he is always welcome.
M Alexandre Ribot
Private letter between Francis Knoylls and French Foreign Minister Alexandre Ribot, 6th August 1904
INVITATION ACCEPTED * STOP * HIS MAJESTY IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING PARIS IN AUTUMN * STOP * PLEASE MAKE ALL NECESSARY ARRANGEMENTS * STOP*
Telegram received by French foreign Minister, 21st August 1904
INTERCEPT FROM INDIA INDICATES RUSSIANS MAY MOVE FLEET AT ANY TIME *STOP* URGENT PRECAUTIONS NEEDED IN FLEET *STOP* BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR RUSSIAN SHIPS AND NOTIFY IMMEDIATELY *STOP*
Admiralty telegram to British High Seas Fleet, Scapa Flow, 3rd October 1904
Lieutenant Commander Sulivan displayed courage above and beyond that expected by an officer of His Majesty's navy. On the evening of 21st October 1904, while in command of HMS Dee, a lookout alerted Lieutenant Commander Sulivan to the presence of the Imperial Russian fleet engaging innocent British trawlers on Dogger Bank. With scant regard for the safety of his ship or crew, Lieutenant Commander Sulivan signalled the Admiralty about the course of action the Russian fleet was taking. Upon steaming closer, he observed the destruction of one trawler, and in order to prevent a further loss of life attempted to place the destroyer between the Russian ships and the vulnerable trawlers.
In the ensuing engagement, the presence of the destroyer helped alleviate the pressure on the trawlers, and out of the 48 vessels in the trawler fleet, thanks to the swift actions of Lieutenant Commander Sulivan, 46 were able to make it back to their home port of Hull without further damage.
Unfortunately, the Russian Fleet mistook the Dee as an enemy combatant, and in the space of ten minutes engaged her with full broadsides, causing significant damage to all compartments. In the course of this action, Lieutenant Command Sulivan was mortally wounded, but survived long enough to ensure his ship was withdrawn to a safe distance. Only once he was convinced his command would be able to limp home did he succumb to his wounds.
This medal is given in recognition of the selfless sacrifice Lieutenant Command Sulivan and the crew of HMS Dee gave in order to protect the lives of the unprotected trawlers on the evening of 21st October 1904.
Lieutenant Commander Harold E Sulivan's citation for the Victoria Cross, London Gazette, March 18th 1905
In all my time at the Admiralty, even during the Jutland stand off of 1917, I never saw the tension raised so high. I was only a Lieutenant at that point, very much wet behind the ears, but when news reached the Sea Lord, by jove did the mood change from one of celebration to righteous fury. Funny thing was that I had never seen Fisher so angry, and to witness the indignation of the senior admirals was one I will never forget. When they ordered the home fleets to intercept the Russians, I had this knot in my stomach, one of dread and forbearing. While everyone was hoping the Russians would back down, the scent of blood was in the air, and not one of us would have regretted any action.
It wasn't until Selborne himself strode into the room and made it clear that the Prime Minister did not want to risk an all out war with Russia that the fleet was ordered to fire only if fired upon. Of course, none of us knew if those orders would be received in time, and as the events of the next few days played out, we were all very thankful in the end that the Russians saw sense and returned back to the Baltic before it became necessary to engage them in an all out confrontation.
Viscount Cunningham talking to Richard Dimbleby for the Panorama special: Origins of the Germanic Wars, 1961
In Court news, the King's proposed trip to Paris has once again been postponed due to the ongoing crisis caused by the Russian fleet's attack at Dogger Bank. Court officials denied rumours that the French president personally revoked the invitation, but the previously cordial relations between the Palace and the French republic seem to have sunk to an all time low.
London Evening Standard, 25th October 1904
"Winston, I know you oppose the increase in expenditure, but surely you can see the merit in it now?"
"If those damn Russians want to play, then let them play. I know this will come as a volte face, but I think if you can pledge support for a broader based reform in other areas, then I will be more agreeable to your proposals now."
Overheard conversation between Winston Churchill and Joseph Chamberlain, Westminster, early November 1904.