New Dublin Castle Administration
Introduction
from Chronology
After the Fisher report (see May-12-20/1), changes are made to the staff
in Dublin Castle.
On this day, John
Anderson, who was earlier appointed Under-Secretary, arrives in Dublin.
Technically, he is Joint Under Secretary with James MacMahon
but, according to Townshend, Anderson quickly establishes himself as
'unquestioned chief'. With Andy Cope and Mark Sturgis as Assistant
Under Secretaries, the administration of Dublin Castle is overhauled.
Comment
Hopkinson's overall appraisal of the new Castle
Administration is that, while they improved administration, their policy advice
was not followed.
With regard to Anderson, quoting Wylie, Duggan and
Sturgis, Hopkinson says that Anderson was extremely competent - cool, logical
and master of his brief but without the common touch.
On the morning of his arrival, Anderson has a
meeting with the Inspector General of the RIC, T J Smith, who told him that he
was in daily fear either of wholesale resignations or his men running amok (Townshend (2014), pgs 154-155).
MacMahon (like Joseph Byrne, former Inspector General RIC who had been placed on
‘health leave’– See November 11th 1919) was a Catholic and French
had “effectively cut MacMahon out of the Castle
decision-making process in 1919” owing to his “violently Catholic leanings” (Townshend (2014), pg 138). After Anderson was appointed, there was
technically two joint-Under Secretaries but, according to Townshend “MacMahon – already sidelined –
evidently accepted his ornamental role” (Townshend (2014), pg
138).