Proposals to set up a committee on the protection of cultural monuments and works of art. Correspondence [typed and handwritten] between Lord Lang of Lambeth at the British Museum, James G Mann at the Wallace Collection and Anthony Bevir at Whitehall relating to the establishment of 'a Commission for the preservation and restitution of works of art on the Continent' [later known as the Macmillan Committee] as a 'matter of extreme urgency', in the wake of the memorial submitted to the Prime Minister by Lord Lang as chairman of the Standing Committee of the Trustees of the British Museum, dated March-May 1944. Includes the terms of references and members of the proposed Committee [see also T 209/2]. Earlier notes and correspondence between J G Mann, E H Keeling and Lord Lang addressing the Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Archibald Sinclair and Clement Attlee with a request from the All-party Amenities Group of both Houses of Parliament submitting evidence of the 'failure to preserve works of art and historic buildings' in Europe and advancing the proposal to set up a committee for the protection of cultural monuments and works of art, dated October-December 1943. Refers to the example of the Roberts Commission and states that 'it is of the utmost importance that every effort should be made both in Italy and in Western Europe to preserve treasures of art and history from destruction and damage. Not only are they an irreplaceable part of civilisation, but neglect to preserve them will bring lasting injury to our own reputation as a nation and to the reputation of the government responsible'. Records that 'we are now in a position to lay waste the whole Continent of Europe. If we do this indiscriminately we shall be hated by posterity. [...] No doubt the destruction of the monasteries and altars in the XVIth century appeared inevitable or necessary at the time. No one says so now, but curses Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII'. Correspondence between J G Mann and E H Keeling regarding Mann's concerns about the fate of the City of London churches demolished in German air raids, dated January 1941. Correspondence between J G Mann and Lord Crawford relating to the choice of the Committee's chairman, dated February 1944. Further correspondence between Lord Crawford, J G Mann and E H Keeling commenting on the reported destruction of Italian monuments and cities, the appointment of Sir Leonard Woolley as Archaeological Adviser to the War Office and his activity with regard to the preservation of Italy's cultural heritage, dated September-October 1943. On Mann's suggestion of setting up a British Committee, Crawford advances the proposal to have 'someone of considerable authority' sent out to stay on the field, subsequently stating that 'if a first class organisation, with someone first class in charge, cannot be set up in Italy, then the idea of the Committee at home should be pressed for. But it is the men on the spot who will do the work, and what they do is the important thinG Mann's idea was that an authoritative Committee here would give them status and support, and there is much to be said for this'. Further personal correspondence between J Mann and Lord Crawford mentioning Crawford's letter to The Times referring to the safety measures implemented for the safeguard of British art collections and museums, dated June 1941-December 1942. Correspondence between Sir John Forsdyke, J Mann and Kenneth Clark enclosing several drafts and the final version of the War Damage Memorial on the risks of war damage to architectural and cultural treasures in the course of Allied operations in Europe signed by Lord Lang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Trustees of the British Museum, the Principal Trustees of the British Museum, the chairman of Trustees of the National Gallery and the chairman of the Advisory Council of the Victoria and Albert Museum, with related comments and amendments, dated November 1943 - January 1944. |
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