Birchenough to P.L.G. : Malcolm's meeting with Fiddes; thinks a commission to enquire into the debt of the Govt. to the Company would be very good; it must be established on proper lines; a decision would help in negotiations with South Africa; agrees that Churchill at the C.O. would be calamitous, thinks it likely however; is concerned about Milner, Lloyd George is jealous of his standing with the French. [Sir George Vandalear Fiddes, Perm. Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies 1916-21; imperial secretary & acctnt. to Ld. Milner, 1897-1901.] 8 Jan 1919