CRUEL RUMOURS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2439, 19 April 1915, Page 5

CRUEL RUMOURS

THE FIGHT AT NEUVE CHAPELLE' , UNUSUAL CONDITIONS (Rec. April 18, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 17. The "Times'' military correspondent says that "malicious and cruel rumours are being spread about the fight at Neuve Chapelle. The most absurd and fantastic reports are being circulated in every class of society, and the Government chiefly to blame for its stupid secretivenesß. The public also have a duty to the Army. The circulation of lying rumours about the troops and their commanders is most reprehensible. "It is not always easy for the artillery to observe the movements of the first line of. their own infantry in the event of fog and mist, and telephones cut b.T heavy fire. These were the conditions, at Neuve Chapelle. We learnt much at Neuve Chapelle. A large expenditure of shells is needed to destroy barbed wire, and telephone wires must be duplicated, or triplicated to preserve touch \vith the batteries. "If mistakes were committed, all that need be said about this severe contest is that mistakes must occur. Incontinental dismissal would make leaders play for safety. What wo want is commanders who will tako risks, and act with the utmost resolution. The constant search for scapegoats is fatal to an army."—("Times" and Sydnay "Sun" Services.)