THE KITCHENER MYSTERY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1924, Page 1

THE KITCHENER MYSTERY

ANOTHER THEORY. SAN FRANCISCO, Get. 20. The death of Lord Kitchener was one of the great mysteries of the World AA'ar. TI.M.S. Hampshire, in which he was travelling to Russia, sank from tilt external explosion shortly aftoi le,i\ing Seapa Flow an June sth. 1919. '1 he real cause of the disaster may never he known, hut an article contributed to the “New York Times” hv the Russian General, AL S. Kommisarov, corroborates rumours of a “leak” about Kitchener’s mission at the Court ol the Czar. The General, who was head or the Okrana, the Secret Police Department under the Czarist regime, was in

a position to know what went on at the Court, and has been frequently referred lo in the memoirs of eminent contemporaries. General Kommisarov was requested liv Czar Nicholas to investigate rumours about Lord Kitchener's death, which were in circulation at St Petersburg. lie learned that the Czar had. Been informed hv King George ol Kitchener's mission in a code known only the two Monarehs. One day lunching with General Yoieykov, steward ol (lie Household, the Czar drank a considerable quantity of spirits and spoke of Kitchener's expected arrival. 'lbis came to the ears'of the Czarina, who asked Rasputin, her favourite priest, to remonstrate with tho tzar for drinking. Then Kominissnrov found that A'oikevkov had been visited by Prince Af.AI.A.. who came from an impoverished family or Georgia, and had Boon educated in Cermanv. TBiPrince Bad no visible means of support until the opening "f the war when he was known to have plenty of money. Investigation showed that he asocial oil with two Barons who were hanged for espionage. Among the Prince’s visitors was a well-known man named Shvedov, who the day alter A'oikevkov’s luncheon with the Czar, left suddenly for Sweden. Shvedov lmd previously been wounded in l»e war and had occupied a room in Princess Orlov’s aristocratic base hospital. But left there two innocent-looking pieces of ribbon ydihli turned out lo he the key lo a very clever code. On Bis return Shvedov was arrested, and confessed that he had gone lo Stockholm lo inform (lie German anHinrities of Kitchener's expected vjsit _ lo Russia. Thus through Ihe linsv Czar and through treachery, the Germans knew of Kitchener's secret plans before he left London.

The story of General Komniisnror is not inconsistent with any official documents which hare t onMidied. Admiral Lord .rellieoe. rommander of the Grand Fleet, wrote in his memoirs that there was at first doubt- in the minds of some people as to whether the loss of the Hampshire was due to a mine or a submarine, but these doubts were sot nt rest by the sweeping operations which were iiiklitliilcoii ns soon ns weather permitted. They resulted in the discovery of moored mines of the type laid in southern waters hr enemy submarines, these mines being easily distinguishable from mines laid hr surface vessels.