Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-16
Clear Before He Goes Far
That House of Commons
Sympathizes With Him.
NOTHING APOLOGETlC
IN SPEECH OF DEFENSE
Shows Experts Concurred in All
Moves for Which He Has
Been Condemned.
JusTlFIEs EvERf STEP TAKEN
Entrance Almost Ennoticed. While
He Concludes Amidst Hurri-
cane of Applause.

LONDON. November l5.--Winston
Spencer Churchill who has been the
most severely criticized member OF the
government. and who has been held
personally responsible for the loss OF
Rear admiral Sir christopher Grad
ock's fleet in the Pacific, the destruc-
ton by submarines of the British
cruisers Cressy. ioCue and Aboukir,
the i'll -fatcd Antwerp expedition, and
the initiation Of the naval attack upon
the Dardanellcs. delivered a speech in
his own defense in the House of Com
mons to-day. following the resignation
of his pos, in the Cabinet.
II won't have ii said was his
dramatic assertion. referring to the
Dardanelles attack that this was II
civilian plan. foistcd by political
amateur on reluctant officers and ex-
pcrtS."
And this sums up his reply 10 all his
critics. In every case. he showed that
experts had counscled and had con-
Cured before any of the expeditions
which had been condemned were under
taken. and il was clear. before he had
gone far, that the House OF Commons
sympathizcd with him.
APPRECIATION INCREASES As
HE ANSWERS CHARGES
For months MIR. Churchill has lived
under reproaches. His entrance to the
house to-day was passed almost un-
noticed. AS he rose, his supporters
gave him encouraging cheers. Appro-
batiou Increased in volume as he an
swcrcd one charge after another. and
lie concluded amidst Il hurricane of
applause, while members OF all politi-
cal parties congratulated him.
There was nothing Apologize about
the speech OF tho former First Lord
of the Admiralty. who some months ago
was transferred to the chaucellorship
OF the duchy OF Lancaster, the Office
he has just resigned. His references
to Admiral Lord Fisher. the former
First Sea Lord. who. lie said. had not
openly opposed the Dardaneilcs under
taking. were spoken in firm tones OF
condemnation.
In the opinion Of the house Mr.
Churchill fully justified every step he
took while head Of the admiralty.
AS to the dispatch OF Rcar-A,imiral
Cradock's squadron. he said he was
In full agreement with the experts aud
advisers OF that timc--Admral Prince
Louis of Battenbcrg aud Vice Admiral
dispositions were the best that could
bc made. in the circumstances.
There was no truth in the charge
that hc had ordered. against the advice
of experts. the Hoguc. the Cressy and
the Aboukir to remain at sea, where
they were sunk by German submarines
ADVISERS EULi.Y SUPPORT
nARDASEI.IES ATTACK
The Antwerp expedition originated
with Lord Kitchener, tho Secretary for
War; and the French governments:
while the naval attack on the Darda-
ncllcs had the full support of the ad-
rscrs at home and those on the spot
Both with regard to Antwerp and the
Dardanclies. Mr.. Churchill went n
little further than merely producing
evidence that hc had followed expert
advice. y month before the Antwerp
expedition was undertaken. he said
lie had advised with Premier Asquith.
Sir Edward Grey. tho Foreign Secre.
'ary. and Lord Kitchener as to the
dangerous condition then developing
and the grave consequences TO the ad-
miralty'a interests that would result
from the loss of the fortress Put"
he added no action was takcn'
as To the pardancllcS, before n naval
attack vas undertaken. he offered 10
provide transports for 10000 troops
from Egypt, but was Informed that no
troops were available. and il they
were. thcA should not be used in CALI
poll. The naval attack was ndorsed by
Vice Admiral Garden. in command at
the time. hy the war council. which
Lord Fisher attended, and by the
French Ministry OF Marine.
Mr.. Churchill paid q tribute to Lord
Fisher for tho improvements he had
introduced in the navy since the out
break OF the war, and expressed con
hdencc that ultimate victory would nc
achieved through the destruction of
German manhood and the allies in
crcas!nG strength.
REASONS DO Not AFFECT
OTHER CABINET MEMBERS
Ia making his promised statement.
Mr.. Churchill dealt with episodes dur
ing his tenure Of Office as head of tho
admiralty. rather than with his rcsig-
ation. He said The reasons which led
him TO ask for release from the govern
ment did not apply 10 any other mem.
bcr of tho Cabinet who was no; in the
war council
As TO the naval battle off the Chilean
coast. in which "a British squadron was
defeated by the Germans, Mr. Churchill
said the adm!ralty.s dispositions of
warships were sound. and were the
best under the circumstances
The suggestion that he had over
ruled his naval advisers ana kept the
old cruisers Hogue. Cressy aud Aboukir
at sea. thus causing their destruction
by German submarine. WAS char
ac'erized by Mr. Churchill AS untrue