CHURCHILL, Winston S.

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Autograph minute initialled, authorizing a clampdown on blockade-running to Germany. On a memorandum reporting that agents in neutral countries were smuggling contraband into Germany, Churchill writes, "Call me in when you need my aid. Exercise the utmost vigilance and spite. WSC."The recipient was Richard Webb (1870-1950), Director of Trade Division at the Admiralty War Staff. Britain had declared war in August and immediately began a naval blockade, initially targeting goods useful to the military; in 1915 it became a total blockade. Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, headed the department responsible for enforcing the blockade.Churchill's comment, which he dates 30 November 1914, is on a memorandum from Webb reporting "all kinds of schemes are being brought into play to get contraband into Germany", and that though Britain has established a new patrol and required vessels to call at Kirkwall for inspection, "we also have to contend against known or suspected corruption in high quarters".Also included is an intelligence report dated 20 November stating that the Danish capital is teeming with German buyers purchasing everything they can from Scandinavia, which "is sent direct to the front". It cites examples of wool and rubber concealed beneath piles of food, and of smuggling in sailing vessels. It adds that the Danish government wishes to stop this. An autograph memorandum from Churchill sends this on to Webb: "Capt. Webb are you keeping F[oreign] O[ffice] duly info

Found via Rare Books Intel, a search across rare-book dealers, auction houses and marketplaces worldwide.