The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-11-24

CHURCHILL DEFIANT
EX.CABINET MEMBER REFUTES
CHARGES AGAINST Him
Tells OF MANY errors
Explains Antwerp Expedition for
Which He Disclaims Responsibility
-Dardanelles Campaign Started
With Expert Advisers, Who Dis
agreed and Inaction Brought Dis
aster.
Winston Spencer Churchill, who
has been the most severely criticised
member Of the British government,
and has been held personally respon-
sible for the loss Of Rear Admiral
Sir Christopher Cradock's fleet in the
Pacific, the destruction by subma-
rines OF the British cruisers Cressy,
Hogue, and Aboukir; the sending Of
the naval brigade to Antwerp, and
the beginning OF the naval attack on
the Dardanelles without military sup
port. made a speech in his own de-
fense In the House Of Commons Mon
day, following his resignation last
week Of his post In the cabinet to go
to the front.
There was nothing apologetic
about his speech. Il won't have it
said," was his dramatic assertion, re-
ferring to the Dardanelles attack,
that this was a civilian plan foisted
by a political amateur upon reluc-
tant officers and experts
This was In substance his an
swer to all the critics. In every
case, he stated, experts had coun-
seIed aud concurred before any Of
the expeditions which had been
condemned were undertaken. And
it was clear, before he had gone
far in his speech, that the House
of Commons sympathized with
him.
| For months Mr.. Churchill has
lived under reproaches. His en-
trance to the House Monday was
passed almost unnoticed. AS he rose
his supporters gave him encouraging
cheers. Appreciation increased in
volume IS he answered cne charge
after another, and he concluded
amid a storm Of applause, while
members of all political parties
crossed the House to congratulate
him. In the opinion Of large cum.
Der OF members he had fully justified
every step he took while he was head
Of the admiralty.
In making his statement Mr.
Churchill dealt with episodes during
his tenure Of office as head of the
admiralty rather than with his resig
nation. He said that his letter tt
Premier AsQuith gave fully anc
truthfully the reasons which led hin
to ask for release from the govern
ment. These reasons did not apply
to any other member Of the cabinet
who was not in the war council.
Moreover" he continued, 90
alone have open to me an alternative
form Of service whereto no exception
can be taken and whereTith I an
perfectly content"
Taking up specific questions hi
turned to the naval battle off the
Chilean coast last year, in which {
British squadron was defeated by the
| Germans. Mr.. Churchill said that he
had been IN null agreement with hi.
expert advises. Admiral Prince
Louis OF Battenburg and Vice Ad
miral Sir Frederick Sturdee.
The admiralty's disposition ot
warships were sound and were the
best snder the circumstances. Docu
mentary evidence would make thi:
clear, without detracting from ths
gallantry and devotion Of Rear Ad
miral Sir Christopher Cradock, who
lost his life when the Good Hope
went down.
The suggestion that he had over
ruled his naval advisers and kept the
old cruisers Hogue, Cressy and Abou
kir at sea, thus causing their de
struction by a German submarine las
year, was characterized by Mr.
Churchill as untrue. He said 1t was
for A. J. Balfour, the present frs
lord Of the admiralty, to determine
whether or not the papers should be
published. He himself had no de-
sire to press for the publication Of
papers that might prejudice officer:
now in the service.
Regarding the Antwerp expedition
Mr. Churchill said it was not arrang
ed by him, but was planned by Field
Marshal Kitchener and the French
government. Ho was not concerned
with 1t or consulted until the ar
rangements were far advanced ano
until the troops were moving or were
under orders to move.
cat midnight conference I learn,
ed that plans for sending relieving
army to Antwerp, already far ad'
vanced, were being considered in con.
cert by Field Marshal Kitchener and
the French government" MT
Churchill continued, "but that they
had not yet reached the point where
definite offers or promises could be
made to the Belgian government, and
that the same afternoon the Belgian
government had telegraphed its de-
cision to evacuete the city with the
field army, and practically abandon
the defense.
| 'The British government were all
extremely distressed by this decision,
as it seemed as If everything was 60
ing to be thrown away for the sake
Of three or four days Of continued re-
sistance.
Il offered to go to Antwerp to re-
port on the situation, and the offer
was accepted. I crossed Immediately
and the next day, after consultation
| ho 1o{o and