New-York tribune., 1917-07-14

thought that the optimism Of General
Sir John Eccles Nixon, FORMER com
uander Of the British forces IN Meso-
rotamia. was justified, and that the
trial by the newspapers OF the military
leaders was an ignoble spectacle, as
tbev were being judged by subsequen'
events after having done their best foI
the empire.
George Pleads for Fairness
Premier Lloyd George expressed re-
gret nj the resignation OF j. Austen
Chamberlain, Secretary for INDIA. lie
was surprised al the action OF the sec
retarv. but said IL was due TO the sen
sitive honor that animated all MI
Chamberlain's motives.
The Premier added that every al
tainable remedy had been appied 70
meet the deficiencies IN the system
which called forth the Mesopotamla re-
port. As affecting individuals, the
roint was whether they made the best
Of the system with which they. nad 70
work. II they were guilty. punishment
OUGHT TO follow, but before being pun
iebed thew we're entitled TO a fair and
impartial judicial review of the facts.
Tho soldiers concerned were legally
entitled 10 d full investigation, and no
body could doubt that civilians were
entitled 10 the same protection as sol
diers. Lloyd George thought that the
inquiry suggested by the government
was the best method, but II the House
of Commons desired a statutory inquiry
the government would acquiesce.
The government did not desire 70
shield any one responsible for the ter
rible catastrophe in Mesopotamia, the
Premier declared. but he was bound TO
roint out that for the better part OF
Tho war Cabinet and both Houses OF
Parliament had been engaged in dis
crssing methods which had nothing 10
Go with the practical prosecution OF the
war. and all this tine events on when
the whole future Of civilization depend
ed were happening. In ending, he
legged the House to realize its respon-
s;bilities and 10 urge and help the gov
ernment to get on with the war.
Former Premier Asquith, who pre-
ceded Lloyd George IN the debate
branded as a vile calumny the sugges.,
tions that the military situation had
been subordnated 10 political consid-
erations when the advance to Bagdad
had been decided upon. The position
OF the government at that time was
that there existed no doubt as 70 the
political advantage Of the capture Of
Pagdad. The government at home and
in India agreed that the advance should
not be attempted unless supported as a
feasible operation by the best opinion
Of the army authorities. Mr. Asquith
asserted he could remember no case in
which there was such complete agree
ment Of strategic and political author
ity.
The former Premier said that. while
he was not present at the Cabinet meet
ings which decided on the advance, he
fully and wholeheartedly approved OF
the decision. Had the government
overruled General Nixon and vetoed
the plans for the advance, they would
have been accused Of being afraid TO
take risks or assume the initiative.
After reading the Mesopotamia re-
port. Mr.. Asquith concluded, there
could be no doubt that there had been
mismanagement and that the guilty
should be punished, but first they were
entitled to a fair, judicial trial.
Then Premier Lloyd George spoke
after which the subject was dropped
and the House arose without making
any decision.