The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-11-03

i and uphold the authority of the Union Jack in the east.
 "Our victorious force is now within
 measurable distance of Bagdad," he con-
 tinued. NO operations have been con- ducted with greater brilliancy or with
 better prospects of final success"
 Regarding the operations in the Oar
 danelles for the launching of which
 Winston Spencer Churchill, then first
 lord of the admiralty, was attacked so strongly in many quarters. MT. Asquith said:
 From the moment Turkey declared
 war, it was impossible to concentrate at- tention solely on the western front. The Turks threatened our Russian allies and
 Egypt. The advent of Turkey produced
 a great effect on the Balkan states, and the government had to face a question which was not merely strategic.
 Dardanelles Expedition
 "In a great war like this you cannot determine the policy entirely by naval and military considerations Sometimes it is not only expedient but necessary to
 run risks which clear naval or military considerations would have warned you.
 against. In January we had not suffi- cient military forces available in the
 east to do more than cope with the Turkish attack on Egypt, which was uelSdleu. The question or lldNdl dt- tack in the Dardanelles was then con-
 sidered, and after full consultation with naval experts, including the admiral, on the spot. notwithstanding some doubts in the mind of Baron Fisher (then first sea lord) the government felt justified in sanctioning that attack.
 "The proposed attack was carefully considered. It was approved by the French, and enthusiastically received by the grand duke. The matter came again before the war council. Before a shot was fired, 1t was communicated to the cabinet. It was decided at first to make the attempt with the navy, and the navy alone take my full share of responsi- bility. and deprecate attempts to allot the responsibility to our minister or an-
 other"
 To Assist Russians Detailing the objects of the attack on the Dardanelles, the premier remarked: |: 'The view was that it would influence there the Balkan situation; would open the way for supplies for the Russians and strike 8 blow at the heart of the
 Turkish empire.
 Naval operations continued systenati- cally for a month, and until they culmi- mated in the attack on the narrows, which resulted in setback. It was then suggested that by aid of an adequate military IOrce, the dLtaCK cOulu pe dflVen home with success.
 General Sir Ian Hamilton was sent out and reported he was in agreement with the suggestion that joint naval and military attack was necessary. In the whole course of the war I have never sustained & keener disappointment than in the failure of these operations.' MT. Asquith pointed out that if the efforts to force the Dardanelles had been yl1pr eff Wn111d hayo haaO of Dl- ! mea surable value.
 Outcome Disappointing '"They did not succeed" he continued notwithstanding the magnificent exhibi- ton, and never surpassed ga1lantry Of | our troops.
 | The premier then said that in the sea of Marmora up to October 26, British submarines had sunk or damaged two battleships, five gunboats one torpedo boat, eight transports and 197 supply ships.
 He alluded to the services of the novel monitors, which he said were largely the creation of Baron Fisher
 'The results of the August attempt" continued the premier, were disappoint- ing, but it must be considered what would have happened if it had not been taken. The Russians might have had Ia serious Turkish attack in the Cau- CdSuS anu we IIllSIlL nave uau tO ldCc dt- tacks in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Our force on the Gallipoli peninsula was holding up 100000 Turks.
 .'The situation in the Dardanelles is re- ceiving the most anxious consideration of 1 the government, not as an isolated thing, but as a part of the larger strategical question raised by reason of develop ments in the Balkans. There is com plete agreement between us and France, l both as to the end and the means in the Balkans"
 | The premier traversed over other | ground in rehearsing the unsuccessful eff l forts to promote Balkan community of | interests, pointing out that every step had 1 to be taken in consultation with three and latterly four governments. Interruptions German Policy Unlike the German government he | said i've cannot barter away the prop l erty of our allies behind their backs. When the allies are reproached for not acting with sufficient speed as regards l Servia it must be remembered that up to I the last moment there was the strongest reason to believe that Greece would act up to her treaty obligations with Servia. I On September 21. after the Bulgarian mo- bilization had begun, Premier Venizelos asked France and Great Britain for 150,- GOO men on the express understanding that | l did mobilize on Septelnber "A, but not until October did Premier Venizelos find l himself able to agree to the landing of
 British and French troops under formal protest.
 "On October 4, M venize'os announced l in the Chamber that Greece must be bound by her treaty with Servia. The
 next day the King repudiated the defini- | tion of M. Venfzelos, who resigned but 1 the new Greek government declared its desire to remain on friendly terms with the allies, at the same time declining to depart from the attitude of neutrality.
 The result was that Servia without Greek support was left to bear central attack
 and side attack from Bulgaria. 1 I've in the United Kingdom, France and
 Russia could not allow Servia to become
 the prey of this sinister. mysterious com 1 bination The general staffs of France
 and Great Britain have been in the I closest consultation which cu'minated In the welcome visit of the illustrious com
 mander-in-chief. The result, am glad to 1 say, is complete agreement between us, as to the end and the means, but I can disclose nothing more. Servia may rest l assured that her independence is regarded 1 by us as one of the essential objects of the war"
 Retrenchment Advocated l Dealing with the final aspects of the sit- uation, Premier Asquith laid stress upon the importance of retrenchment Every man in the country" he de- cruiting, fought to be doing the thing for which for the purposes of the success of the war he is best fitted. There has been a difference of opinion among the minis-