THE GALIIPOLI CAMPAIGN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 280, 22 August 1919, Page 7

THE GALIIPOLI CAMPAIGN

NO RESULTS WORTH THE LOSSES KITCHENER RELIED ON THE NAVY By Tolepraph— Prosß Association— Oopyrlffbl (Eec. August 21, 5.5 p.m.) London, August 20. The Clallipoli Inquiry Commission generally finds ihat the campaign produced no results worth tho losses, and doubts whether the authorities were sufficiently impressed' with the magnitude and seriousness of the enterprise, winch was hampered by a lack of munitions, artillery, and reinforcements. Lord Kitchener was apparently averse from evacuation to tho last, and in this General Birdwood supported him, leaving the effect on India and Egypt. Lord Kitchener to the last hoped that the Navy would attempt the Straits. Some naval men believed in the possibility of th ; s, but the Admiralty finally disconntsranced it. Lord Kitchener relied on tho Navy, and always regarded the military operation as of minor importance, notwithstanding tho experts' warnings of the strength of the Turkish defences.

No Proper Plans. The Commission is convinced that the War Office had not prepared proper plans. Only after his arrival on Gallipoli was Sir lan Hamilton impressed by the seriousness of tho task, while the naval men felt that they could not force the Straits without, strong.military help. After the political crisis some 'of the new members of the Cabinet had to be convinced that the enterprise was justifiable. The Suvla failure was due to unseasoned troops, insufficiently officered, which necessitated consideration of the evacuation and the dispatch of Sir Charles Monro. It is believed that the latter reported that only the Australians and. New Zealanders were lit _to maintain a sustained front.—Aus.-N.Z. Cabie Assn.