DARDANELLES COMMISSION.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 22 March 1917, Page 5

DARDANELLES COMMISSION.

MR. ASQUITH'S STATEMENT. LONDON, March 20. Mr. Asquith, continuing his remarks on the Dardanelles’ report stated: My political and civil colleagues, including the present Prime Minister, will bear me out by saying that they have never known an expert show the least reluctance to giving opinions, whether invited or uninvited. It was their duty to do so. The Cabinet never abrogated its ultimate authority in my time. It was unfortunate that Lord Kitchener had died before the Commission sat. I asked the AttorneyGeneral to see that Lord Kitchener was properly represented. The At-torney-General saw Lord Cromer, who said there was no necessity far the At-torney-General to appear, as Lord Kitchener’s interests were amply safeguarded. Mr. Churchill, in conclusion, explained the Admiralty standpoint in regard to the decision to attack the Dardanelles. He declared he was not endeavouring to relieve himself of responsibility, or to transfer it to the War Council. After arguing that Lord Fisher as First Sea Lord, did not exercise his rights to utilise the fleet at the Dardanelles, Mr. Churchill proceeded to make a strong defence of the operations. He quoted facts refuting the Commission’s references to heavy loss of blood and treasure. On the contrary, the advantages of the attack made themselves invaluably felt in many spheres of operations, including the active adhesion of Italy to the Allies. Mr. Churchill referred lengthily and regretfully to the abandonment ,of the operations when apparently on the eve of success. He pointed out that this was due to the discouragement suffered from many most influential quarters, \vhich had a hampering effect.

Mr. Asquith said the Dardanelles expedition was primarily naval because Lord Kitchener proved to the War Council that troops were not available. The War Council spent thre e w.hole days examining the available resources of men. They even summoned Lord French from France to hear his views. The War Council also ascertained th e opinions of other British and French experts. The whole naval expert opinion favoured the enterprise. Lord Fisher's adverse view was not founded on technical naval objections, but on his avowed preference for a different objective in a totally different sphere. Dealing with the alleged delay in sending troops, including th e 29th Division, Mr. Asquith emphasised the immense difficulties in the way of this. The Russian position was then bad, and there was urgent pressure by Joffre and French to keep the 29th Division. Lord Kitchener might have been right or he might have neen wrong. Certainly he had weighty reasons. Moreover, what would have been said if the civilian members of the War Council had over-ruled Lord Kitchener? While the operations were proceeding he was in almost hourly consultation with Lord Kitchener, Lord Grey and Mr. Churchill, and therefore took strong exception to the statement in the report that the War Council had not met during the critical period. Speaking of the operations generally, Mr. Asquith maintained that they saved the position in the Caucasus, preventing for months the defection of Bulgaria, kept 300,000 Turks immobilised, destroyed the corpe d’elite of the Turkish army, and contributed to the recent favourable events in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia.

Mr. Asquith said the Commissioners expressed the opinion that the machinery for war during the first four months was clumsy and inefficient. This was mere obiter dictum. There no evidence to entitle them to come to such a conclusion. The firs: four months presented problems an numerous and complicated as had ever fallen to the lot of statesmen. “I am quite content to leave the manner in which they were confronted and handled to the judgment of history. When the War Council reached a conclusion it was formulated in writing, read aloud, and, for greater certainty and security, immediately circulated amongst all the department concerned The position of experts was precisely as it had always been in the Committee of Imperial Defence; they were there to give the lay members the benefit of their advice.”