THE DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 338, 18 November 1915, Page 3

THE DARDANELLES CAMPAIGN.

MR. CHURCHILL JUSTIFIES HIS ACTION. I A LEGITIMATE WAR GAMBLE. FOR A PRIZE OF INESTIMABLE VALUE. LONDON, Nov. 16. In ihe House of Commons, Mr. Churchill regarded the Dardanelles operation as i legitimate war gamble for a prize of inestimable value, which ther was reasonable chance of winning. On that bask' he accepted full responsibility. Riissia in November asked the Foreign Office whetrer action against Turkey wa.i possible to relieve the pressure in the Caucasus. In consequence he began to direct the attention of Lord Fisher and other naval officers to the possibility of action in Turkish waters. He sent a minute on November 30th to Lord Kitchener offering facilities for the transportation of 40,000 men. He was informed that no army was available. Early dsicussion showed that the prevailing opinion Avas htat even if the force was available it could not be used in at--1 tacking the Gallipoli Peninsula. As the t necessity for action in the Eastern Mej ditcrranean was cchlstantl.y ; pressed I upon the Admiralty, Lord Churchill I telegraphed on January 3rd to Admiral I Garden and asked if he considered the frocing of the Dardanelles by shins ' alone was a practicable operation. Admiral Garden replied that the Dardanelles could not be rushed, and suggestelies could net be rusred, and suggest, ed a sustained bombardment. Admiral Garden detailed a telegram on January 11th, and stated his requirements. The Admiralty and the War Staff examined the plan. Admiral Jackson expressed full concurrence and advised attacks on the outer forts as early as possible. Lord Fisher's memorandum did net question tre feasibility of the operaI tion, but deprecated reducing the margin in Home waters. The first onerafions produced an electrical shock in the Balkans. When joint militrrv operations were decided upon. Lord Fisher regretted the delay and refused t" order resumption of the purely naval attack. The period between Marcr 18th and April 15th on Avere the least, pleasant experiences in Br. Cm-chill's life. He did net regret Lord Fisher's return to the Admiralty, because he produced a new design of ships and sAvelled the tide of deliveries. I' ord Kitcrener Avas responsible for the military operations in Gallipoli, which should nave been carried through with the utmost vigour and fury. Throughout the summer, the army stood within a few miles of a great victory. An advance like that at Neuve Chapelle Avould have decided the Avhole situation. He did not intend to be draAvn into any further controversy whatever might be said in reply. He left ris documents with the Attorney-General. When Lord Fisher resigned he (Mr. j Churchill) offered to resign, but Mr. J Asquith asked him to continue.