LORD KITCHENER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3021, 10 April 1926, Page 3

LORD KITCHENER.

STORY OF HIS DEATH.

A BARRISTER’S ACCOUNT,

London, April 6.

The Daily Express is featuring a striking article by A. C. Fox-Dav-ies, a barrister, who during the war time served in the law branch of the navy, giving what he describes as the final authentic and conclusive account of Lord Kitchener’s death.

The Daily Express points out that despite Ministerial statements in the House of Commons, at public meetings, the newspaper correspondence shows that there is still a widespread suspicion that the loss of the Hampshire was due to treachery. Mr. Fox-Davies says that that story of a celebrated woman spy at Berlin, who claimecl to be responsible for Lord Kitchener’s death, is a lie. He says that the Hampshire was lost. “While I served in the naval law branch the Allied Governments sought details, and I made a precis of the reply, for which purpose every single paper the Admiralty possessed passed through my hands at Fleet Street. I knew eight days before his embarkation that Lord Kitchener was going to Russia. It was possible though most doubtful that Germany also knew the Hampshire was only commissioned for the journey two days ahead. Lord Kitchener arrived at 'Scapa Flow. During the morning he lunched with Lord Jellieoe aboard the Iron Duke. The storm which was blowing up increased to a gale. Lord Jellieoe therefore did his utmost to induce Lord Kitchener not to sail that night, but Lord Kitchener insisted. Lord Jellieoe and the navigating officers thereupon mapped out the course and chose the most unusual route owing to the storm. The Hampshire sailed at 5.30. How was it possible between the end of lunch and 5.30 for Germany to learn the route and lay mines. No one aboard the Hampshire knew the route until one hour beforehand. The Hampshire sailed, accompanied by destroyers, but sent them back owing to the storm. There were only twelve survivors, and all told their story. Some heard one, though there were really two, explosions. The Germans usually laid mines in chains of sixes.' Others of four were found later. It was not at first supposed that the Hampshire was sinking, but when it became obvious there was a hue and cry aboard for Lord Kitchener, who could not be found. lie was last seen standing on the deck. How the mines were laid is not certainly known, but there is a shrewd suspicion a small fishing vessel flying the Dutch flag, seen Tri the neighbourhood, did the work. The only opportunity for treachery was on the part of Lord Jellieoe’s navigator, who deliberately sent the Hampshire where lie knew mines were laid, but this is hopelessly absurd. The body of a British officer was washed ashore and is now buried in a tiny Norwegian cemetery. There is reason to believe that it might be Lord Kitchener’s.

“The country owes him an unpavable debt, but this is no reason for accusations of treachery against the Navy, for which their is not the least title of foundation.”