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

hazdment- Admiral Sir John Fisher.
then first sea lord. was opposed to a
rednction Of Great Britain's navy
strength in home waters brt never
criticized the method Of attack on the
Dardanelles.
6iames Fisher
Mr. Churchill declared he did not re-
ceiye clear guidance from Admiral
Fisher before the expedition was decid-
ed upon, or the subsequent firm sup
port to which he was entitled.
In making his promised statement,
Mr.. Churchihg dealt with episodes dur
ing his tenure OF Office as head Of the
admiralty rather than with his reSig-
nation He said his letter to Premier
Asquith gave fully and t-uthtully the
reasons which led him to- ask for re-
lease from the government. These rea-
sons Gid not apply TO any other mem
Der Of the cabinet who was not in the
war council.
Moreover alone have open to me
an alternative form Of service to
which no exception can be taken and
continued.
Turning TO the naval battle on the
Chilean coast last year, in which a
British squadron was defeated by the
Germans. Mr.. Churchill said he had
been in full agreement with his expert
advisers. The admiralty's dispositions
OF warships were sound and were the
best under the circumstances. Docu-
Inentary evidence would make this
clear, without detracting from the
gallantry and devotion Of Rear Admi-
raj Sly Christopher Cradock. who lost
his life when the Good Hope went
down.
The Hoeue, Greasy and Aboukir
The suggestion that he had over
ruled his naval advisers and kept the
old cruisers Hogue, Cressy and Aboul-
II at sea. thus causing their destruc-
ton by German submarine last year.
was characterized by Nj. Churchill as
untrue. He said il was for Lord Bal
four, the present lord OF the admiralty.
to determine whether or net the IA
pears had been published. He himself
had no desire to press for the publica-
ticn Of papers which prejudice officers
now in the service.
Regarding the Antwerp expedition,
Fir. Churchill said il was not ar-ang-
ed by him out had been planned by
Fed Marshal Kitchener and the
French government. He was not con-
cerned with II or consulted until the
rransements were advanced a long
way and until the troops were moving
or were under orders to move.
In October Of last year, a force Of
British marines was sent to Antwerp
to assist in the defence Of the CITY
against the Germans. A short time aft
er the arrival Of the expedition. the
city fell. Several thousand British es-
capped across the border and were in
termed in Holland
Explains Antwerp Expedition
some Of the severest criticism of Mr.
ChurchiTs administration of the ad-
Iniraity was in connection with this
adventure. It was asserted the force
was Inadequate and was dispatched TOO
late. MIR Churchill replied that il had
been intended to send larger bodies Of
troops but that subsequent develop
nents made this impossible. AS If was
he said, the German advance was de-
layed
Plans for sending a relieving army
TO Antwerp. already far advancved.
were being considered in concert By
Field Marshal Kitchener and the
French government Mr.. CHURCHILL
continued. but they had not vet
reached the point where definite offers
or promises could be made to the Eel.
2lan government, and the same after
noon. the Belgian government had tel
egraphed their decision to evac1ate
the city with the field army and would
practically abandon the defense. The
British troops were distressed by the
decision. as ii seemed that everything
was going to be thrown away for the
sake of three or four days Of contin-
ued resistance
offered to 60 to Antwerp TO re-
port on the situation, and the offer
was accepted. ] crossed immediately
and the next day after consultation with
the Belgian government and British
staff officers at Antwerp proposed
Geographically that the Belgians sbopld
meet resistance and that the British
and French governments should say
within three days whether or not they
could send relieving force In the
event they were not able to send q re-
lieving force Great Britain was in any
case TO Client and other points at the
time of the retreat British troops to
ensure the safe retirement of the Bel
gians. simultaneously Great Britain
was to encourage the defense Of Ant
werp by sending naval guns and a ma
val brigade. and taking other minor
measures. These proposals were ac-
cepted by both governments
Il was informed of the dimensions
Of the army to be sent, for comrnuni-
cation TO the Belgians and was told
10 do everything possible to maintain
the defense meanwhile. This did
without regard TO the consequences in
any directions"
M. Churchill argued that these op-
erations should not be regarded as an
event which led only to nisfortunes.
He believed that military history would
hold that the consequences conduced to
the advantage of others in the West.
as the operations led the Germans to
believe that a large army was arriving
from the sea.