[RUSSELL, Bertrand (1872-1970)]. Rex v. Bertrand Russell: Report of Proceedings before the Lord Mayor, Mansion House Justice Room, Monday 5th June, 1916. London: The No-Conscription Fellowship, 1916. 8°. Original slate grey wrappers, wire-stitched (discoloured). Account of the successful prosecution of Russell for prejudicing the recruiting and discipline of His Majesty's forces, resulting in a fine of £100 and £10 costs.
With printed leaflet bifolium, Bertrand Russell and the War Office: A Personal Statement (National Council for Civil Liberties) explaining Russell's position and quoting the reactions of the press. And Syllabus of Lectures by Bertrand Russell (single sheet, n.p., [1916], beginning with 'The World as it can be made: 1. Political Ideals'.)
With carbon copy of a letter from the War Office dated 14 October 1916, responding to an enquiry from Russell as to whether the ban on his speaking might be relaxed to allow him to lecture in prohibited areas. The army council 'understand that you are unwilling to give an honourable undertaking to confine your lectures to the expression of a general philosophy', and so declines to modify the order.
With autograph letter in green ink, dated Gordon Square, 17 October 1916, to Philip Morrell explaining the War Office ruling: 'Their decision causes me a loss of £180; otherwise, I am glad of it', and asking for support.
OTTOLINE MORRELL AND LYTTON STRACHEY ATTENDED RUSSELL'S TRIAL (see Letters of T. S. Eliot, p.142).
RUSSELL, Bertrand (1872-1970). Political Ideals. London: National Council for Civil Liberties, [1916]. 8°. Original grey wrappers, wire-stitched (stained and creased). Russell's Foreword explains the controversy and the samizdat nature of publication. 'My profession hitherto has been that of a lecturer on mathematical logic. The Government have forbidden me to fulfil an engagement to practise this profession at Harvard, and the Council of Trinity College have forbidden me to practise it in Cambridge. In these circumstances it became necessary to me to lecture on some more popular subject, and I prepared a course on the Philosophical Principles of Politics. Then came an order from the War Office which, using its power to deal with enemy aliens and potential spies, forbade me to enter any "prohibited area". As three of the towns in which my lectures were arranged are in prohibited areas, I cannot fulfil my engagements there. This is the first lecture of the proposed course.' The lecture was delived in Glasgow by the miners' union leader Robert Smillie, who revealed its authorship only afterwards.
A REMARKABLE SERIES OF DOCUMENTS CONCERNING ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS PROTESTS AGAINST THE FIRST WORLD WAR, SENT TO PHILIP MORRELL, WHO WAS SOON TO PUT RUSSELL IN TOUCH WITH THE MOST FAMOUS ANTI-WAR PROTESTER OF ALL, SIEGFRIED SASSOON. (6)