WAR OFFICE SCANDAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 982, 31 August 1903, Page 2

WAR OFFICE SCANDAL.

HOW LORD LANSDOWNE MUDDLED THINGS. By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright Recoived 1.15 a.m., Aug. 31. London, Aug. 30. The evidence taken by the Elgin Commission and published has caused intense indignation throughout the country. Newspapers and all parties condemn the Government's supiueness. Tho evidence shows that Sir John Avdagh, their director of military intelliapplied to the War Office for an annual allowance of £IB,OOO for ten years, for extension of survey work in South Africa. Ha was offered one hundred. Tho total amount allocated for intelligence work in South Africa for three years before the war was £2OOO annually, while the Transvaal was spending £94,000. Colonel Grant stated that when he entered the Intelligence Department he formed a rooted idea that it was useless to ask lor monoy to survey the colonies. Other witnesses deposod that there were no war maps of Natal, Transvaal, or OraDge Free State, and no Field Intelligence Department. No instructions were given either to Sir George White or Sir Redvers Buller. Thougu Lord Lansdowns knew there were 43,000 mounted Boors ready, ho almost without exception sent infantry. In June, 1899, the mobilisation of tho First Army Corps was prepared. On August 12th Lord Laosdowno submitted tho same to Cubinet. Financial approval was refusod until October, Government, for political reasons, not desiring to aggravate the situation. Lord Lansdowno was of opinion that the war was not imminent until September, 1899, when the franchise was withdrawn. The evidence reveals that Sir W. F. Butler resigned tne Cape command because ho could not agree with Lord Milner. Some papers demand tho recall of Lord Kitchener to construct the War Office.