| Description | Typescript diary, quarto sheets numbered 200 to 284 loose in folder, with label on front cover: "War - 1914 - V." Including discussion of the campaigns in the Balkans and Gallipoli.
Baird starts the diary by expressing concern about Sir Edward Grey's statement on Balkan affairs, and inserts a 5-page memo of a conversation he (Baird) has with Sir Henry Wilson on the policy on 14 October 1915. The memo has additions and amendments by Wilson in pencil. On the following day Baird goes to London with the memo to show it to Bonar Law. There is a discussion of the current situation, incuding Gallipoli and the question of conscription. While in London he also discusses the Balkans, war finance, Narional Service and other questions with Sir Robert Cecil, the Aga Khan, "Squiff" [H.H. Asquith], Leo Amery, and others.
Beginning with the entry for 23 October, Baird recounts consultations with "Tom" [General Tom Bridges] on the proposal for an Allied push through Holland into Germany, to attack Essen. He also describes Sir Henry Wilson's discussions with government leaders on the Balkan campaign.
From 1 November to 4th November, Baird is again in London to discuss the situation. He describes Marshal Joffre's visit there to persuade the British government to send troops from Egypt to Salonika. On 7 November he reports a long conversation with Queen Elizabeth of Belgium, who says that a visit by British Royalty to the Balkans could do much to promote pro-British feeling there.
On 16 November, following that conversation, Baird writes a letter to Lord Curzon, copied in the diary, proposing that a Joint Diplomatic General Staff should be set up in parallel to the Joint Military General Staff. This could promote the Allied cause in neutral countries, specifically the Balkans, Scandinavia, and America.
On 30 November Baird recounts another interview with King Albert, who is depressed about the situation in the Balkans and the Dardanelles. He is unhappy at the inaction of the British fleet, and feels that the staff officers are wrong in their belief that a breakthrough of the German line can be achieved. Baird comments that there is only one cure for this: to get the King away from La Panne. "We absolutely must get him to London and give him the time of his life". |