CHURCHILL, Winston S.

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Autograph letter signed, to David Lloyd George, discussing politics and international relations. A wide-ranging letter, marked "secret", between the two future wartime Prime Ministers. Churchill reflects on his oratory, his forthcoming appointment as First Lord of the Admiralty, their friendship, and his visit to Balmoral, and casts two aspersions on Germany.Churchill was then Home Secretary, and Lloyd George Chancellor of the Exchequer. The pair were close political allies and friends who led the Liberal government's programme of welfare expansion and social reform.Churchill begins by thanking Lloyd George for praising a speech promoting their national insurance scheme. "I had another go tonight at Insurance, and was astonished to see many of the men in tears. This is quite a record for my rhetoric". Churchill encourages Lloyd George to take "another million" for national insurance - "A little oil may be needed to ease the machine".Churchill was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty three weeks later, and writes here "I think it is all right about the Admiralty. I am indebted to you for your influential aid". He anticipates their continued co-operation in the new role: "I am sure we shall square the circle together. We shall both hold plenty of stock in each other's concerns. If the Germans get hold of you you will hardly have time to sing - 'Land of My Fathers'" (a nod to Lloyd George's Welsh heritage and the naval race with Germany). Churchill reports an indiscretion durin

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