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7 FEBRUARY 1924

David Lloyd George, the former Prime Minister, in a statement published in a New York newspaper, alleges that the existence of a secret Wilson-Clemenceau pact with regard to the French occupation of the Rhineland. The French Foreign Office denied that there was any secret pact.

The body of ex-President Wilson was buried in the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul at Washington, where great crowds gathered in the streets to pay a last tribute. By means of wireless apparatus, millions throughout America were able to follow the funeral service.

The Government’s housing policy was discussed at a conference at the Ministry of Labour, attended by representatives of the building trade employers and unions. The assurance was given that the trade would co-operate with the Government in the provision of houses, and it was announced that the employers and workers’ organisations would meet without delay to formulate definitive proposals.

6 FEBRUARY 1924

The King, in a message of condolence to Mrs Wilson, the widow of ex-President Woodrow Wilson, said that the part played by him at the Peace Conference on behalf of a just and lasting peace will for ever be remembered by the peoples of the British Empire.

Sir Thomas H Mottram, HM Chief Inspector of Mines, presided at an inquiry which was opened in Glasgow into the causes of the Redding Pit disaster. Counsel for the owners gave an assurance that there would be no victimisation of witnesses.

The demand of the dockers for increased wages was considered at a joint conference of the parties concerned in London. It was announced that the employers are calling a special meeting of their National Council and would again meet the representatives of the Union on the following week.

The Minister of Health announced his decision to rescind an order of 1922 which requires the Poplar Guardians in granting outdoor relief to not exceed a prescribed scale.

5 FEBRUARY 1924

Peerages were conferred on the Rt. Hon. Sir Sydney Olivier (Secretary of State for India), Brigadier-General the Rt. Hon. CB Thomson (Secretary of State for Air) and Sydney Arnold (Under Secretary for the Colonies).

The meeting of the Cabinet was held at 10 Downing Street, and it was announced that in view of the number of urgent problems requiring immediate consideration two further meetings would be held in the week.

The release of Gandhi was ordered by the Government of Bombay.

Eleftherios Venizelos resigned the Greek Premiership.

4 FEBRUARY 1924

The letters sent between Raymond Poincaré, the French Prime Minister, and Ramsay MacDonald, the new Labour Prime Minister, showed that both Premiers expressed a wish for continued co-operation between France and the UK to solve the current international problems.

The Congress of Soviets at Moscow passed a resolution on the subject of the British Government’s recognition of Soviet Russia. The Congress notes with satisfaction that “this historic step was once of the first acts of the first Government in Great Britain chosen by the working class”.

In connection with the dockers’ demand for increased wages, Mr Bevin, General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers’ Union, received a letter from the National Union of Railwaymen promising co-operation in event of a strike.

3 FEBRUARY 1924

The death was announced of Woodrow Wilson, the former US President.

Ramsay MacDonald, the first socialist Prime Minister, visited Chequers for the first time and said that he intended to make full use of the residence.

2 FEBRUARY 1924

It was announced that the British Government would now formally recognise the Russian Soviet Government.

It was reported that Dr Woodrow Wilson, the former US President, was seriously ill.

Ramsay MacDonald, the new Prime Minister, received the members of the Agricultural Advisory Committee for England and Wales at Downing Street.

1 FEBRUARY 1924

In his speech at the State opening of the Legislative Assembly at Delhi, the Viceroy, Lord Reading, emphasised the necessity for preserving continuity of progress in the reform movement, and said that the future of the reforms rested largely with the people of India and the legislature.

The French Government indicated that they were pleased with the correspondence of Ramsay MacDonald, the new Prime Minister, on the matter of international relations.

The Irish Boundary Conference opened in London.

According to a Colonial Office statement, the whole question of the employment of aircraft in Iraq in support of the civil authorities was being considered by the Government.