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British Diplomacy with America and Ireland: an Ambassador's Letters, 1909–1962 - Volumes
Volumes
8 volumes in British Diplomacy with America and Ireland: an Ambassador's Letters, 1909–1962
Correspondence for 1909-May 1918
This first part shows Murray's involvement in Irish politics and his position as Treasurer of the Home Rule Council. Other interests included correspondence with Walter Runciman, then President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, over his Bill to end the traffic in worn-out horses (Runciman to Murray, 19 Dec. 1913). From July 1914 onwards the letters are concerned with the domestic political situation and the onset of war in Europe, and Murray's military service. In August 1917, he was appointed Assistant Military Attaché to the British Embassy in Washington. He was one of several new faces brought in to strengthen British representation following the US entry into the war in April 1917. Sir Cecil Spring-Rice, the ambassador since 1912, was close to leading Republicans and was critical of the Democratic Administration and President Woodrow Wilson's policy of neutrality. Following America's declaration of war on Germany, Lord Balfour led a British War Mission to Washington to discuss Anglo-American cooperation. A permanent mission to the United States was established, headed by Lord Northcliffe, the press baron, with the Earl of Reading negotiating the finances of cooperation.Murray arrived in the USA in September 1917, and was soon on good terms with colleagues at the British Embassy and other contacts, including Arthur Willert, The Times correspondent in New York. He wrote positively to Eric Drummond, Private Secretary at the Foreign Office, about Reading's work (Murray to Drummond, 18 Sep 1917) but, like Willert, was concerned about the lack of rapport between Spring-Rice and Wilson and the nature of a UK representation divided at such a crucial time between Reading and Northcliffe. He felt Reading should become the Mission's supreme head (Murray to Drummond, 1 Nov 1917). Franklin Roosevelt, then Assistant Secretary to the Navy in Wilson's Administration, is first mentioned in November 1917, when Murray wrote approvingly to a conversation with him (Murray to Swinton, 25 Nov. 1917). Since 1914, Roosevelt had supported greater US preparedness for war and aid to the Allies, and had privately been rather critical of Wilson's policy of strict neutrality. Not surprisingly, he got on well with members of the British mission. Murray also knew many others in the US Administration, including Frank Polk, Counsellor to the State Department; William Phillips, Assistant Secretary of State; and Colonel House, Wilson's foreign policy advisor and an admirer of Sir Edward Grey. In April 1918, Murray returned to London, to the Political Intelligence Dept. of the Foreign Office, headed at the time by William Tyrrell. Murray kept in touch with William Wiseman (British intelligence, based in New York). Wiseman was on close terms with Colonel House, met Wilson regularly at the White House, and corresponded in code (see img 299) with Murray, who passed intelligence on to Drummond (e.g. Murray to Drummond, 31 May 1918). Murray also received telegrams directly from Reading, now both Head of the British War Mission and ambassador.The situation in Ireland remained damaging to Anglo-American relations throughout the war. A bill granting Home Rule had been introduced in 1912 by Asquith's Liberal Government, of which Murray was a member, but it met with stiff opposition from Unionists in Ulster and Conservatives, such as Sir Edward Carson. Blocked by the House of Lords, the bill finally became law in 1914, only to be suspended on the outbreak of war. To make matters worse, the execution of ringleaders of the Easter Rising of April 1916, including Sir Roger Casement, was much criticised in the USA, as was the proposal to introduce conscription in Ireland. Reading urged the government not to do so by force (Reading to Murray, 7 May 1918), believing it Ireland needed a generous measure of Home Rule, but with safeguards for Ulster (Reading to Murray, 12 May 1918). He welcomed the proclamation of 18 May on voluntary recruitment but feared that the "psychological moment" to bring in Home Rule had been lost (Reading to Murray, 24 May 1918). Read more →
Correspondence for June-August 1918
Murray's efforts on behalf of Anglo-American relations continued to be the main focus of his correspondence from May to August 1918. Despite the German offensive in the spring of 1918, steady progress was being made in the American war effort; and Wiseman wrote to Murray that there was a "good war sentiment" in the USA (Wiseman to Murray, 7 June 1918). Murray's role in British intelligence relating to the USA is indicated by a comment in this letter. "Both Reading and House were delighted when I told them of the arrangement you and I had made in London, and what you were doing for us. We all feel that the circle is now complete". Another compliment appears in a letter from the Military Attaché in Washington. "Your policy of playing the game with the US has proved to be the best, as in times of emergency they give us everything they have got" (Miller to Murray, 24 June 1918).By the end of June, Murray and the British had cause for satisfaction as regards the US contribution to the War. Describing his own role, Murray said that, since August 1917, he had done his best "to speed up the American War Machine". Initially the US Government had been handicapped by the fact that the USA was such a large country and by the severe winter at the end of 1917. But President Woodrow Wilson took the vital decision to put US battalions into the British forces in Europe rather than wait for separate US divisions to be formed, and this had greatly helped the Allied war effort in 1918 (Murray to Freeman, 27 June 1918).However, Ireland continued to be a problem, and Murray worried about the effects on American public opinion of the introduction of conscription and the delay in Home Rule (Murray to Freeman, 27 June 1918). Writing to Wiseman in July he said "I must confess I am very disappointed about the Irish situation in general." He lamented lack of progress, noting that "it looks very much as though there are certain elements in the Unionist Party, not unconnected with the Government, who propose to make every endeavour to shelve Home Rule". He continued: "We may have to wait till after a General Election before there is any real move to settle the Irish Question either by itself or as part of a federal movement" (Murray to Wiseman, 9 July 1918).Lord Reading returned to Britain on 6 August 1918, and Murray met him at Liverpool and accompanied him to London. Murray warned Wiseman that Reading was not prepared to continue indefinitely as Ambassador to the USA and was anxious to return to his position as Lord Chief Justice as soon as the situation allowed. But there seemed every prospect that the War would continue into 1919, even though the German spring offensive had been turned back. Murray also took the opportunity to complain about a speech made by Lloyd George in the House of Commons in which he had given the impression that Wilson had only agreed to brigade US troops into the British and French armies after the German attack of March 1918 whereas the American President had already agreed to this before March (Murray to Wiseman, 8 Aug 1918). Read more →
Correspondence for September-December 1918
Events moved quickly at the end of 1918, after the sudden collapse of Germany. Murray's communications to Wiseman were usually passed on to Colonel House and sometimes to the President himself. "The letters, cables and documents you have been sending Sir William have been of the greatest value and I want you to know of my warm appreciation", House wrote to Murray. "It is only through such complete information as you give that one can correctly advise those on this side. I hope you will come over here soon so as to keep in touch with both countries" (House to Murray, 4 Sep 1918). Wiseman mentioned the high opinion that House had of Murray. "He often talks about you and feels that we have found an ideal person to be our eyes, ears and adviser in Europe", wrote Wiseman. "He has already settled what you are to do at the Peace Conference!" (Wiseman to Murray, 5 Sep 1918).As well as sending intelligence to Wiseman and his contacts, Murray kept in touch with American officials and politicians visiting London on their way to France. One such visitor at this time was the Assistant Secretary of the US Navy, Franklin Roosevelt. Murray said to Roosevelt that "it would be a good thing if there were available a fast ship to bring over to this country important people like himself and to take back important personages to the United States". According to Murray, Roosevelt "agreed that the plan was a good one, and said it could be easily worked". Murray therefore asked Wiseman to start the ball rolling in Washington (Murray to Wiseman, 11 Sep 1918). Wiseman later reported that the US authorities were not very responsive to Murray's suggestion. "They point out that there are now fast transports leaving practically every week. And a special ship detailed for the purposes mentioned would only save about a day if it happened to be available when wanted and might easily be on the wrong side of the water" (Wiseman to Murray, 4 Oct 1918).One urgent question was Lord Reading's continued absence, as British Ambassador, from the USA. He had travelled to Britain with Murray in August and was due to return in October. But he fell ill with jaundice and was then urged by Wiseman to stay in England for the visit of Colonel House and Wiseman in late October (Wiseman to Reading, 17 Oct 1918). In the end Reading did not return to the USA as he did not wish to continue as Ambassador beyond the end of the War, and by November it was clear that Germany and her allies were in full retreat. But Murray was anxious to renew his ties with the USA and returned to New York. He arrived in Washington on 18 November by which time the war was over and the US Congressional elections had taken place.The election results were a setback for Wilson and the Democrats, as they gave the Republicans a majority in both Houses of Congress. Murray cabled Reading to say that the change wrought by the elections was very apparent. Although the Republicans were not due to take over until March, they were becoming "openly intolerant" of Wilson's conduct of affairs. There was growing criticism of his advocacy of a "League of Nations" and of his forthcoming trip to Europe. However, Murray felt that Wilson still retained great prestige among the American people and that he would be able to implement the Fourteen Points in his speech of 8 January 1918 to Congress, provided he explained them "in a convincing manner" (Murray to Reading, 22 Nov 1918).Murray returned to England at the end of December. By then the general election postponed because of the war had taken place, and Lloyd George's Coalition Government had been returned with a large majority. The "Coupon Election" as it soon became known, because of the endorsements given to Lloyd George Liberals but denied to supporters of Asquith, contributed greatly to the Liberal Party's division and decline. Murray himself was returned unopposed as MP for Kincardineshire. While associated with Asquith, Murray's role during the War meant that he had not openly criticised Lloyd George, and so there was no serious move to oppose him. Read more →
Correspondence for 1919-1936
Murray was influential in Anglo-American relations for a while after the War. As well as being a Liberal MP and still associated with the Foreign Office, he maintained key contacts such as John W. Davis, American ambassador in London, and Arthur Willert, once more The Times correspondent in Washington, including a long letter full of gossip about Woodrow Wilson (Willert to Murray, 10 July 1919).Murray's most regular correspondent was William Wiseman who, that summer, raised the need for a new British ambassador, especially in view of the impending visit of the Prince of Wales and the effect of Ireland and De Valera on Anglo-American relations (Wiseman to Murray, 3 July 1919). Murray promised to raise the issue in the House of Commons (Murray to Wiseman, 28 July 1919).When Lord Grey was made ambassador to Washington, Murray wrote to Sir Horace Plunkett that it would "wipe out some of the irritation resulting from the delay in the appointment" (Murray to Plunkett, 13 Aug 1919). Murray accompanied Grey to the US in September 1919. Their arrival coincided with Wilson's collapse during an exhausting nationwide tour in defence of the League of Nations. The President became an invalid in the White House, with his wife severely restricting access. So Grey never met Wilson but returned home with Murray in March 1920 after several frustrating months.The Senate's rejection of membership of the League made it a major issue in the Presidential campaign of 1920. When Democratic candidate, Governor James Cox of Ohio, chose Roosevelt as his running mate, Murray cabled his congratulations. Roosevelt replied with evident warm regard: "I wonder much if there is any chance of your coming over this autumn. Do let me know beforehand if you do" (Roosevelt to Murray, Oct 1920).The 1920 elections saw a Republican landslide in Congress as well as the Presidency. No longer familiar with the main figures in the US government, Murray's involvement in Anglo-American relations waned. Yet he also had problems of his own. Holding his seat in 1922 despite the rift between the Asquith and Lloyd George wings of the Liberal Party, he lost in 1923 and, partly due to ill health, retired from active politics. Murray's 1920s correspondence is therefore much thinner than before, with the main items of interest being his letters from Colonel House.1932 marked a turning point in the Murray-Roosevelt friendship. Winning the Democratic nomination in July, Roosevelt announced his intention to offer Americans a "New Deal". Given the economic depression since 1929 and the unpopularity of Hoover's Republican Party, Roosevelt's chances of success in the Presidential election were good. Murray cabled his congratulations after the party convention - their first contact since 1920. Roosevelt replied via Willert. "It gave both Mrs Roosevelt and me a great deal of pleasure to hear from a friend and associate of so many years ago", he wrote, and in his own hand: "I do wish you could come over this autumn. It would be grand to see you again" (Roosevelt to Murray, 25 Aug 1932). Thus began a period of continuous correspondence that lasted until Roosevelt's death in 1945. Business commitments kept Murray from visiting but, with "no axe to grind" and friends in high places, he was keen to use his contacts on Roosevelt's behalf. He suggested that, in preparation for the forthcoming World Economic Conference, Walter Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, be invited to Washington (Murray to Roosevelt, 1932).In Europe blame for the Conference's failure fell mostly upon Roosevelt for opposing currency stabilisation, and he retreated from foreign affairs. Murray congratulated Roosevelt on victory in the 1934 congressional elections, receiving a thank you note which ended: "When are you coming over to see us all?" (Roosevelt to Murray, 13 Nov 1934). A visit took place in May 1936. Primarily a social affair, including a memorable trip down the Potomac in Roosevelt's yacht, yet the two men talked often about world affairs (Murray to Roosevelt, 26 May 1936). Read more →
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