| Description | Letter written from Highbury, Birmingham, dated 12 September and marked 'Private'. Chamberlain is pleased that he and Hicks-Beach [1837-1916, politician and first Earl St Aldwyn] may be able to travel to the West Indies together. He believes that the Boer war will not have ended by November but feels they are making progress and hopes to bring back some men by the end of September. Chamberlain writes that Hicks-Beach's plans to reduce army and naval expenditure have alarmed him. He goes on to explain why, given the current political circumstances and potential outcomes of such cuts, he would advise Hicks-Beach to wait before taking any action. He adds that there is also public support to consider and warns that at present, 'no one will thank you or even understand your motives'. However he agrees to see Hicks-Beach's papers before making a final decision. |