Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-16


~ Braowardine Jackson, the present
first sea lord. the opinion that the
Dardanelles could not be rushed, but
could be reduced by a regular sus-
tanned naval mbardment-which Mr..
Churchill said made a profound i'm
preston on his midland knowing
that Admiral Lord Fisher (the former
first sea lord> was strongly in favor of
some action in Turkish waters, Mr.
Churchill had an interview on Jan. %
with Premier Asquith and Lord Fish
er. at which he gathered the impress
sion that Lord Fisher coonsentes to
an early naval attack on the Dar0an-
el.es. The French staff also approved
and the operations were undertaken,
with the results already known.
We lost two old vessels remarked
Mr.. Churchill, which if they had not
been los, in the Dardanelles would
have been rustinig in some foreign
port"
Could No. Agree
Mr.. Churchill said that he wanted to
resume purely naval operations. but
Lord Fisher opposed this. They could
not agree and. added the former frs:
lord:
The month which passed between
the cessation Of the naval operations
and the opening Of the military oper-
ations was one Of the least pleasant !
ever spent in my life"
He complained that he had not re-
ceived from the first sea lord the clear
guidance before or the firm support
after, to which he was entitled.
There is no place in war for mis-
siNings or reserve after decision is
taken" he continued. "lf the first sea
lord did not approve OF the operations
he should have refused his consent. II
he had refused they would not have
taken place. Then was the time foY
his resignation"
Accepts Responsibility
Mr.. Churchill accepted general min
isterial responsibility subject to his
written and recorded opinion. adding
If we had known what We know
now of the cost Of the military opera
tons cannot think that anyone would
have hesitated to face the loss Of pres
ttge involved in breaking off the op-
ISL army had stood within a few miles
OF decisive victory emphasized that
on no other front could an equal ad-
vance have produced comparable stra-
getic results. Throughout the wear he
had urged the government to do all /,
could in the West, but in any case 10
take Constantinople while time re-
NAMED
The situation is now entirely chang
cd, ne said, and if there has been
any operation in the history of the
world that, having been taken. if was
worth While to carry through with the
utmost vigor, fury and sustained fow
OF Telnforcements and utter disregsr I'd
of NE. II is that operation so da,:ngly
begun under Ian Hamilton By the i'm
mortal landing in the Dardanelles."
Mr.. Churchill mentioned incidentally
'hat al the time of Lord Fishers resig.
nation ne himself had offered to retire
but Premier Asquith asked him 10 re.
main He then reviewed the present mil.
ltary situation and continued:
We are passing through bad time
and It will probably be worse before il
!
only endure and persevere there is mr.
oohot whatever. In his opinion it wou,L
not be necessary to push the Germans
back over all the territory they have
absorbed to win the war, and while tn,
German lines extended far beyond thei,
frontiers, Germany might be defeated
more vitality in the second on third YEA
than if the allied armies had entered
Berlin during the first.
Great Britain's command Of the seas
and the rapid and enormous destruction
OF German manhood were factors upcu
which the country might confidently rely
Gernany's power was Diminishing; Grea,
Britain's was continually becoming
stronger.
I'VE are the reserve Of the allie
cause he said, 'and the time has come
when that reserve must be thrown FULLY
into the scale
The campaign of 1915 had been gov.
erned, Mr.. Churchill said, by shortage OF
munitions, and the campaign of 1914
ought to be decided against Germany by
reason of shortage of men. It was there.
fore vital to Great Britain and a matte,
of honor to maintain the number Of he,
armies in the field.
In conclusion Mr.. Churchill, referring
to Bulgaria and other small states not
hypnotized by German military pomr
and precision. he said do not realize
the capacity Of the mighty ancient ma.
ton against which Germany is warning
to endure adversely. TO put up with dis.
appointment and n1ismanageInent, renew
their strength and 60 on, with boundless
suffering to the fulfillment of the great
est cause for which man has ever
fought
Premier's Tribute
Premier Asquth in paying tribute tc
Mr.. Churchill after the close of the lat.
ters speech. said that during a close as.
ISOLATION with him of 10 years he had
always found him a wise counselor q
brilliant colleague and faithful friend
He was certain that Mr.. Churchill would
take with him to his new duties the uni.
versai good will Of the house and the
country.