Arms spending controversy
Telegram from the British representative in Munich (Vincent Corbett) to the foreign secretary, SIr Edward Grey, 13 January 1914.

Corbett's telegram deals with the response in Germany to a recent speech by the chancellor of the Exchequer, David Lloyd George, criticising the 'insanity' of increased armaments expenditure in Europe. He warns Grey that it might create the impression that the British Cabinet was 'hopelessly divided' over the issue of naval expenditure. This would be unfortunate at a time - in early 1914 - when Anglo-German relations were improving and Germany was itself becoming increasingly divided about the 'unremunerative [military] expenditure'.
Catalogue reference: FO 371/1985 (13 Jan 1914)

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