The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-16

isDNDoN. NOV. IJ.--N lUstoH ~. Chu'N''
III told the House Of Commons to-day
that he took the full responsibility FOR
the Inception OF the Dardanelles cam
paign. He refused. however. to shoulder
the blame for the failure OF the expe-
dition TO save Antwerp. The blame for
this failure. he frankly told the Par
lament. belonged to Lord Kitchener and
the French strategists. for with them,
not with him. had originated the idea to
check the Germans III that fashion.
''1hc Dardanelles enterprise" said the
former First Lord of the Admiralty. 81
regarded as legitimate gamble OF war
for a prize of an inestimable value.
which there was n reasonable chance OF
winning. On that basis I went before
the Ministry and accepted full respon-
sbility for initiating that enterprise"
II won't have ii said." declared Mr.
Churchill referring to the Dardanelies
attack. that this was u civilian plan
foisted by "A political amateur upon re-
luctant officers and experts"
The galleries were filed to overlooking
when the former navy chief. who re-
signed fran his office as Chancellor of
the Duchy Of Lancaster and thereby
from the Ministry last week. took the
floor e. make his much heralded explain
atory statement on the eve of his de-
parture for the front TO fight with his
regiment in France.
As Mr.. Churchill took his seat amid
cheers, Premier Asquith stepped forward
and referring TO him. said
II have always found him to be a wise
counsellor. a brilliant colleague and a
faithful friend. He takes with him in
leaving the Ministry universal good
will"
Tells Of Antwerp Plans.
Resarding III. Antwerp expedition.
MI. Churchill said that It was not ar
ranged by him. but had been planned
by Field Marshal Kitchener and the
French Government. lie was no. con-
cerned with IL or consulted until the
arrangements We're advanced long
way, and until the troops were moving
or were under orders to move.
AT midnight conference" said Mr.
Churchill. Il learned that plars for
sending relieving rr-wv-t~-Nrtwcrp,
already far advanced. We're being con-
sdered In concert by Field Marshal
Kitchener and she French Government,
but that they mad not yet reached the
poink where definite offers or promises
could be made to,thc Beig!an Govern
nent and that the same afternoon the
Belgian Government had teleGraph.d
their decision to evacuate the city with
the field army and practically abandon
the defence The British Government
We're all extremely distressed by this de-
cision. as II seemed every thing was eo-
ing to be thrown away FOR the sake of
three or four days OF continued resist
ancS
II offered 10 60 TO Antwerp to report
on the situation, and the Offer was aC-
cep,ed. | crossed Immediately, and the
| next day, after consultation with the
/ Belgian Government and British STAFF
officers At Antwerp, / proposed tele-
graphically that the Belgians should
continue resistance, and thar the British
and French governments should say
! within three days whether or not 'hev
could send relieving force, and its
dimensions.
''In the event they were not able %
send "A relieving force, Great Britain wa
I In any case to send to Ghent and other
4 points ~ the time of the retreat British
/ troops 10 insure the safe retirement of
: the ieisians. simultaneously Great Britt
ain was To encourage the defence of Ant
werp by sending naval guns and u naval
brigade and taking other minor meas
ures. These proposals We're accepted 10y
both governments,
/ II was informed of the dimensions
of tine army to be sent for communica-
, tion to the Belgians and was told t'
do everything possible to maintain the
defence meanwhile. This | did with.
( out regard TO the consequences in any
/ uireCt ton"