COURT OF ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1917, Page 1

COURT OF ENQUIRY.

High Influence-

LONDON, Jan. 4. The following is the report of the Military Court enquiry case concerning Lieut. Barrett: When Lieut. Barrett was recommend-

ed for a commission his claims were supported by Cowans, his anu Mrs Cornwallis West. The last named took more than an ordinary interest in Barrett, who failed to respond. Eventually he wrote Mrs West a letter of remonstrance, which Mrs West sent to Cowans with the result that Barrett was censured and transferred; The report characterises Mrs West’s conduct highly discreditable and vindictive. Her evidence given to the Court was untruthful. It appears that Mrs West complained of Barrett”s ungentlemanly conduct, but the report states that Barrett entirely merited the commission granted to him in December, 1915, since which date lie has done nothing unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. The report concludes that whatever influence Mrs West had over Colonel Cowan sho exaggerated her injudicious boast of the power she weilded at the War Office. This was .calculated to bring Col. Cowans and the War Office into disrepute, and it was regrettable that she holds important positions connected with the war work in Derbyshire.

{Mrs Cornwallis West was the widow of the eminent 'British statesman, Lord Randolp Churchill, to whom she was married in 1874. word Randolph died in 1895, and his widow in 1900 married Mr George Cornwallis West. She is the mother -of Mr Winstone Churchill recently First Lord of the British Admiralty.—Ed Times.] A German Protest Reply by Admiralty. LONDON, Jan. 3. A Gorman wireless alleges that President Wilson is protesting against British airmen bombarding Drama station before the departure of the ejected delegates and consuls of enemy countries at Athens. The wireless alleges that the airmen were aware that the delegates had to he met at the station. The British Admiralty, replying, quotes the official reports, showing that after the Austro-German and; other representatives with their families and servants landed at Kavalla the air commandant! at Thasos, learning the-Ger man Minister’s requests, did not bomb the Drama station, nor the Kavalla road for twenty-fou r hours from the morning of the 25th November, as women and children belonging to the Legations used the road. He compelled therefore, and refrained from operations until tho 28th. The only attack on tho 25th was on. the Drama aerodrome alone, and this was before the Ministers’ request reached the air station. No bombs were dropped on the town nor in the vicinity of the station.

In the Air. LONDON, Jan. 4. Commodore Godfrey Payne has been given charge of the naval air service, with the rank of Air Lord and a seat at the Board of Admiralty. ATHENS, Jan. 4. A Zeppelin dropped at Larissa fifteen mail bags containing correspondence from the Greek Army Corps interned at Gorlitz in Germany. COPENHAGEN, Jan. 4. A fire on the 28th December burned two hangars at Tondern, and completely destroyed two large Zeppelins. Brought to Book. CHRISTIANA, Jan. 3. The prohibition of the export of coa] to Norway causes anxiety. The “Aftcn Poston 7 '’ states that Britain accuses Norway of her failure to fulfil her obligations regarding the export of ore and fish. If the prohibition is maintained it will mean the stoppage of the North Sea traffic. Other newspapers state that negotiations between the British and Norwegian Governments are proceeding. In Greece. ATHENS, Jan. 4. King Constantine audienced all the ox-premiers of the Government, and announced that he strongly objects to the Allied threat to take strong action if he (King Constantine)' gives any further ground for complaint. Peace Terms AMSTERDAM, Jan. 3. Count Julius Andassy has announced that the Central Powers peaco terms will be communicated to President WU*