Papers of Sir Vincent Caillard, Financial Director of Vickers Ltd: Files I and II

A file of letters and memoranda from the papers of Sir Vincent Caillard, Financial Director of Vickers Ltd, recording his dealings with the arms dealer Basil Zaharoff, including Zaharoff’s scheme to bring Greece into the First World War on the side of the Allies. Documents include letters from Zaharoff urging the government to take action on the Greek question; replies from Caillard and the Prime Minister H.H. Asquith giving differing verdicts on the plan; a draft letter detailing Zaharoff’s schemes to manipulate the Greek government and press; a demand for money to cover his costs from Zaharoff; financial records and calculations; and fragmentary notes taken by Zaharoff describing some of his activities in Greece, giving details of his appointments, contacts, travel arrangements and assessments of the international situation, including items such as “Create Bulgarian frontier troubles”.