THE MESOPOTAMIA BLUNDERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3123, 29 June 1917, Page 5

THE MESOPOTAMIA BLUNDERS

FURTHER LIGHT ON OFFICIAL INEPTITUDE MOST SEVERE CENSURE ON SIR BEAUCHAMP DUFF SUFFERINGS OF SICK AND WOUNDED London, Mime 27. The Mesopotamia L'oinnibsioners' report finds that tiiirgeou-Gencr.il Hathavray showed unfitness lot- his office. Tho Viceroy, JjOrd Harding. , , was generally responsible, by virtue of his position. The Commissioners proceed: "Tho most severe censuro must be passed upon the Cominander-in-Cliiei' in India (Sir Beauchamp Duff), lie not only failed to closely superintend an adequate medical provision, but, until the Viceroys superior authority forced him, he declined to notice tho rumours, which were true." A Stupid Autocrat. Commenting on the Mesopotamia report, the "Morning Post" publishes an extraordinary telegram from Sir Beauchamp Duff regarding General Cbwper, transport officer, who telegraphed an urgent request for more transport. Sir Beauchainp Dull' replied that he was sending it, but wired a warning concerning General Cowper that "if anything of the eort occurs again or I receive more querulous and petulant demands for shipping I will immediately remove him and refuse him further employment of any kind." Several of the newspapers give prominence to Commander Wedgwood's charges. Not a little of the trouble in Mesopotamia was due to the Marquis of Crewe and the Liberal Cabinet seeking to reduce the cost of the Indian Army before the war. Commander Wedgwood is of opinion, that Lord Hardingo and Sir Beauchamp Duff seemed to show little desire to help, and some desire to actually obstruct the energetic prosecution of the war, and place<l the crisis in India above tho necessities of the British. Empire. In support of this accusation Commander Wedgwood adduces niarjy extracts from speeches, cables, ami letters. Certain of Lord Jlardinge's telegrams called forth Lord Kitchener's cabled reply: "You hardly seem to realise the seriousness of the position on the Continent."

An Appalling Report. Details of tho sufferings of the dysentery patients and wounded upon the barges are too horrible for publication, thou»l> some newspapers giro prominence to an appalling report by Major Carter, in charge of the hospital ship Basra, who received the wounded after Me Buttle of Ctesiplion. The Commissioners attach some blame to Mr. Austen Chamberlain. The Times save hie share of culpability is almost wholly technical. When Sir John Nixon on October 3. 1!>15, telegraphed to ilr. Chamberlain that he was strong enough to open the road to Bagdad, Mr. Chamberlain immediately telegraphed oraerin<* the Viceroy to stop the advance. Cabinet met the next day and learned of Sir John Nixon's confidence, jumped at the chance of a striking success, which was badly needed in viow ot lailu,re on Gallipoli, and compelled Mr. Chamberlain to cable again cancelling his earlier instructions— Aus.-N./i. OaDle Assn.-Beuter.

QUESTIONS JNJPAEIAMENT DEBATE POSTPONED FOR A WEEK (Kec. .Tune 28, 5.5 p.m.) London, .Tune 27. In the House of Commons, replying to questions referring to the Mesopotamia Hcport, Mr. Bouar Law suggested a postponement of tho discussion for a week to enable the House to consider the report. It was obviously the Government's duty to . take immediate action regarding those specially accused Asked whether Viscount llaS-dinge would retain his present position (Permanent (Tnder-Seeretary of State for Foreign Affairs), Kγ. Bonar Law replied that the questions assumed that Viscount Hardinge was guilty. He did not wish to make any such assumption at present. I —Hester. • • • ; THE MAN WHOIARED TO TELL (Rec. June 2S, a.!i p.m.) London, June 27. England resounds with the name of. Markham Carter, who exposed what the Commission terms "the medical. debacle in Mesopotamia." The "Star" states that every effort wns made to brealc Carter, who was sent to Coventry ami was threatened with arrest as a meddlesome, interfering faddist, while General Nixon ordered two of his Generals to deal with him for his objectionable remarks. Carter persisted in Ins disclosures, and ultimately the Viceroy sent him to England, where he was promoted colonel and' employed m eupems.ng the Mesopotamian. hospitals ships. The Iwis liken Carter's. achevementto Kiusse" s Crimea Cauimission.-United Service. ■'