Review of ‘Hidden History – The Secret Origins of the First World War’ – by Peter Pymen

Gerry Docherty and Jim Macgregor: Hidden History – The Secret Origins of the First World War. Mainstream Publishing, 2013

This really is a remarkable book, I found it hard to put down once I started. The myth about the nasty Germans was well sold and it seems that most people have accepted that version. This book states that a carefully falsified history was created to conceal the fact that Britain, not Germany, was responsible for the war.

It all goes back to one of our favourite heroes, Cecil Rhodes. He was one of the founding members of a secret society of  British imperialists set up in 1891 with the long-term aim of taking control of the entire world. That might sound a bit dramatic for a book about history but the authors provide a lot of credible evidence to support their claims. The stated aim of this society was to renew the Anglo-Saxon bond between GB and the US, spread all that they considered good in the English ruling-class traditions, and expand the British Empire’s influence in a world they believed they were destined to control. Obviously a lot money was needed for such a grand plan. Rhodes had plenty of money from his ill-gotten gains in Africa but the support of the House of Rothschild was also very important.

The main group consisted of five high powered individuals but there were also outer rings of influential and compliant politicians, senior military, foreign office, bankers, business leaders, academics, media owners (Times and Daily Mail), and monarchy. Edward Carson is listed as one of the outer circle members.

The secret society was well aware that Germany was rapidly beginning to overtake Britain in all areas of technology, science, industry and commerce. They were also concerned about Germany’s growing influence in Africa, Turkey, the Balkans and the Middle East. Such a threat to the empire could not be tolerated so Germany had to be taken down.

The book details all the manipulation by this secret society to get to the point where Germany was eventually caught in the Belgium trap in July/Aug 1914. People manipulated included Russian, French, Belgian and British ministers and royalty. The playboy Edward VII and George V were involved in deceiving their German relative Kaiser Wilhelm II. Despite Czar Nicholas II realising the terrible things that were unfolding he caved into the pressure (from the agents of the secret society) to order mobilisation against Germany, despite promising his cousin Wilhelm that he would do everything in his power to prevent war.

They say that Britain maintained a false position of neutrality in all discussions with Germany from the moment of the assignation of the Archduke Ferdinand in Sarajevo up to the time of declaring war on Germany. Russia, France, Britain and Belgium were already mobilising their forces for weeks before the declaration of war. Germany was still hoping that war could be averted and had delayed as long as possible with their mobilisation.

According to records, there was very little discussion in the British parliament about probable war with Germany during the time between the assassination of Ferdinand and declaration of war (4^th Aug 1914). However, during this period there was very intense secret diplomatic activity between Britain, France, Russia and Belgium. These secret discussions were all about how they were going to trap Germany into making the first move and their plans for mobilisation. At the same time Germany was trying to contain the situation in the Balkans by putting pressure on Austria-Hungary to keep their action on Serbia to a limited local war, by the temporary occupation of Belgrade until certain conditions were met.

Serbia was considered by the British to be a backwater place populated by savages. There had been lots of reports from the region about atrocities committed against innocent people, and the Serbs had a reputation for regicide. Perhaps you already know what regicide is but it was a new word for me. The authors claim that Russians had no real affection for Serbians despite the claims that Russia went to the aid of their Slav cousins. It was also ironic that Czar Nicholas II would be sympathetic to a race of people who like to assassinate monarchy.

The British, through Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey gave the impression to the Germans that Britain supported their diplomatic initiatives with Austria-Hungary and that Britain would remain neutral if the situation escalated with Russia. Grey was the chief manipulator and liar in deceiving the British parliament, the public, and the governments of Germany and Austria-Hungary. He tried to portray himself as the peace maker when he was in fact giving instructions to Russia, France and Belgium about how and when to take certain actions that would put Germany in a difficult position. The British public were shocked at the idea that they would have to go war against Germany, and to be on the side of the Russian barbarians.

It’s also shocking to hear that no debate was allowed in the British parliament on the decision to go to war. Grey and his supporters managed to stifle any attempts by MP’s to ask questions about unknown treaties (Triple Entente), alliances and agreements. Despite a small number of MP resignations Grey still managed to get the declaration through. It’s mentioned that there might have been a deal made with John Redmond for his surprising support. The Liberals had come to power as an anti-war party but found themselves in the strange position of having to support the declaration of war. Tony Blair would never have got away with that.

The Germans were also led to believe that Britain was more concerned about what was happening in Ireland than to be interested in conflict with Germany or anybody else. There is a chapter devoted to Ireland, with some interesting details. Apparently, if the secret society failed to trap Germany with the Belgium plot, then Plan B was to blame a civil war in Ireland on the Germans because they supplied weapons to the Ulster Volunteers and to Nationalists. The arms shipments somehow managed to find their way through heavily patrolled waters (British patrols) and despite a German ban on exporting arms to Ireland. It was no coincidence that it was the same agent in Hamburg who supplied the arms to both sides.

The idea was to keep the pot boiling in Ireland but not to let it boil over, unless required. It seems that Edward Carson played an important part in the deception by keeping the agitation going with the Unionists. The secret society put up ₤100,000 (approx ₤8 million in today’s value) for Carson’s work in Ulster.

Erskine Childers is also mentioned as being included in the outer circles. Along with his wife he also had his friend Captain Gordon Shepard as a crew member on-board the Asgard. Immediately after the gun running mission Shepard returned to his post with the Royal Flying Corps. Shepard died in 1918 – the highest ranking officer in the Flying Corps to die in action. These are not the type of people you could expect to be part of a mission to support Irish Nationalists.

Read the book for yourself if you think this review is rubbish. Read the book for yourself if you think this review is convincing.