The Washington times., 1916-07-21
BRITAIN LEARNS OF.
SEVEN ATTACKS ON
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Marquis Of Crewe Admits
Serious Trouble on Frontier
In Last Two Years.

discussing today the first official con-
nrmation OF serious disturbances in In
dis.
The Marquis OF Crewe. lord president
OF the council. announced yesterday
that there had been no less than seven
separate Attacks, some OF a very for
midable nature, between Decenper.
lyi4. and September. l9l5.
David Lloyd-Georgc. at the same time,
revealed the fact that the cumbersome
division of authority between England
and India was largely responsible for
the disasters to the British arms In the
mast.
These two admissions were forced by
Lord Memyss and Sir Edward Carson IN
their successful demand for an investi-
CATION OF the Dardanelles and Mesopo-
tarnian fiascoes.
1t was a day of sensations In both
horses Of Parliament. Sir Edward Car
son and Lord Wemyss had given notice
that they would move an inquiry into
the conduct of the two campaigns. O..
Before their motions could be made
Prime Minister Asquith announced in the
House Of Commons that the government
will iDSdtute the Investigations. select
ing a few members from each house
and also an Australian representative,
the latter In recognition Of the part the
Australian troops played In the ill-star-
RED Dardanellcs venture. Sir Edward
Carson then withdrew his motion.
Lord Wemyss severely denounced the
conduct OF the Mesopotamian operations
In the House of Lords and the Marquis
OF Crewe made a reply for the govern
ment. and made the same announcement
concerning the governmental investiya-
tion.
In the critical moments Of August,
!9lA. 1t was imperative for Great Britain
70 rcassert her paramount position IN
the Persian Gulf and prevent the decla-
ration of holy war, he said.
Our presence there" he continued. II
believe saved the empire from the ep-
proach Of a great disaster. We had to
Africa also. and II we had not shown
our strength Islam as whole might
have been DETECTED against u.s."
linen he spoke OF the seven attacks on
the Indian frontier. but did not give de-
taiis concerning any OF them.
before passing judgment on She In
dian officials. he contended. It would De
necessary to consider the particular sys-
tenn OF military organization there.
ne thought Lord Kitchener made a mis-
take In the military changes he intro
duced In India and he could not help
thinking the MISFORTUNE OF the Mesopo-
these changes. Earl Curzon, Lord Privy
seal. read an official dispatch which
said everything possible now is being
zone In Mesopotamia.
Lioyd-George made a long explanation
Of the causes OF the disasters in the
East. There were plenty OF supplies. ne
saiu' put the transport system tailed.
The division of authority which caused
the trouble has been swept away. ne
said. and vigorous steps have been
taken to provide proper transport.
Robertson Commanded.
For the first time he revealed that
In the beginning OF operations in the
East Sir william r. Robertson, chief
OF the Imperial stan. directed the mill
tary operations. while the IndiSn gov
eminent supplied the forces and the
commander-in-chief In India was re-
sponsible for the supplies.
Under q new ARRANGEMENT. Lloyd
george said, India will remain the Lrin-
cipal base Of the forces which will con-
dnue to be administered by the COM
mander. n-chief In India.
But the latter now will receive in
the army council in regard to matters
OF personnel and supplies. He will be
assisted by such officers as the army
council feels 1t desirable to appoint.
lHus, III eIeCt, teneral Robertson and
the army council will have complete
charge OF supplies and transport as well
a. OF operations.
Steamers Building.
River steamers and light craft Of va
rious kinds are being built In England
for transport use on the eastern front,
he said. and arrangements have been
made for the construction of a light
railway along portion OF the line of
communication.
Papers dealing with the campaign will
not see the light of day in spite of the
governmental inquiry. General Robert
son agreed. the secretary said, that 1t
would be against public interest to pub
lish them although they reflected In
no way upon the general who was not
in charge Of the beginning of opera
tions.
Therefore four or five men "who could
be trusted with the most confidential
information" will conduct the inquiry.
So that the investigation may not delay
action the secretary expressed hope
that the house on Monday will carry
through all its stages the bill sanction