LORD KITCHENER.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 December 1921, Page 3

LORD KITCHENER.

STATEMENT OF A BRITISH M.P. Sir Richard Cooper, M.P., speaking at Walsall (Eng.) recently, made a statement about the death of Lord Kitchener that at the time was considered to be highly improbable. Sil Richard began by saying that doubtless his opponents would say he meant well, but was “a bit of a, crank.” He added that he had taken a particular interest in the death of Lord Kitchener and the loss of the Hampshire. “I believe,” he said. “I know all there io to be known on thia subject. 1 don’t know that it is much to be proud of, and 1 have to admit there are aspects of the matter that it is not in the public interest to disclose. The Hampshire and Kitchener's journey to Russia were betrayed by a German woman in Loudon, who was living with an English officer at the War Office. She got the information telegraphed through to Berlin--the whole details of iLe journey—and has since been paid 10,000 marks by the German Government. All the records of these facts are in the archil ee of the War Office at the present moment. What * did nut know until quite re cently was that some of the mines sown by the Germans around the Orkneys to catch Kitchener had painted on them. *OOl strafe Kitchener/ ” On August 3 Sii L. .VorthmgtonEvanr., Secretary for War, answering Sir Richard Cooper m the House of Commons, said; —The circumstances connected with the loss of the Hampshire do not reflect in any wav on any mem her of the ’ate Lord Kitchener’s staff. Sir R. Cooper asked: Is it not a fact that confidential information has been sent to the right hon. gentleman s department by His Majesty’s Commission er who went to Berlin shortly after the war ? Sir L. Worthington-Evans; My. answer is a careful answer io the question. Admiral Sir X. Hall. 1r it not a fact that the selection of the Hampshire was only made at the last minute, and that her route was pot finally fixed until) the forenoon of the day she sailed ? Sip L, Worthington-Evans: I believe that is so.