Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-09
Report to Fix Blame
mDardaneZLes Drama
Adds to Controuers4

questions had been really decided or
only Professionally. The MARQUIS OF
Crcwe and Niscount Haldane expressed
the opinion that political members did
too much talking, and that the ex-
perts took small parts in tho discus
sions. Mr.. Churchill testified that Mr.
! Asduith and Earl Kitchener "settlcd
matters" although he had the same
authority. The commission thought his
view was ovcrniodcst The Cabinet, as
body, placed all responsibility on the
council. sometimes requesting that II
was not To be told of occurrences, on
tho ground that the fewer who knew
Of them the better.
Earl Kitchencrs dominating innu-
encc pcrvades the testimony The com
mission says he would not impart fun
information OF his plans. even to the
war council. MIR. Churchill described
him as "all-powerful. impertur bable and
reserved" adding. "hc dominated alb
solutely our councils at this time. The
belief that lie had plans. deeper and
wider than any we could see s!enccd
misgivinEs."
General Murray testified that he was
never asked to express an opinion on
the military plan. The situation al
the Admiralty was different Mr..
Churchill was not a professional man
Ike Earl Kitchener. and he consulted
Admirais Fisher and Wilson. Admiral
Ftsher testified that he was dead
against the naval operation alone, be-
cause hc knew il must he A failure"
The commission comments on this
statement rs follows:
He did not at any time record any
such strongly adverse opinions as
these Neither does nc appear to have
Impressed others with the strength of
his objection"
FISHER AND WILSON REMAIN
SILENT As FORM OF LOYALTY
Admira!s Fisher and Wilson said
they remained silent at the councils
when Mr. Churchill expressed views
with which they disagreed. as form
OF loyalty 10 their chief. Mr.. Churchill
testified that he thought Admiral
| Fisher was lin full agreement with
| him Admiral Fisher once, however.
threatened TO resign at council. but
Earl Kitchener persuaded him TO re-
consider. Admiral Fishers view an
parently was that he should defer TO
the civil head of the Admiralty or re-
sign. Mr.. Asauith. commenting on the
differences between Mr. Churchill and
Admiral Fisher. said that they got on
well together, all the same"
Junior members of the Board Of Sea
Lords were not consulted in Admiralty
conferences Admiral Fisher thought
their departmental duties all-impor.
tant. but they protested TO Mr.. Ralfour
while Mr.. Balfour was at the Ad-
mira!ty that the system of SUPREMACY
OF the First Sea Lord "tended against
the imperial national safety" The re-
port discussed the political aspects OF
the campaign. saying il also was de-
signed 10 influence bulgaria and italy.
then neutrals. and relieve pressure on
Russia. General Hamilton SAID Earl
Kitchener thought the operation would
be successful in staving off Ruigarla.s
entrance into the war, in occupying
100000 Turks for nine months and in
hcartening Russia.
CONCLUSIONS SUMMARIZED
IN COMMISSIONS REPORT
The subject of the Dardaneiles
campaign was difficult ono, the
commission reports. on which TO
reach dennlte conclusions regarding tho
relative degree of responsibility. The
report summarizes the conclusions
reached as follows:
THE question OF attacking the Dar-
daneues was, on the initiative OF Mr.
Churchill. brought under the considcra-
tion OF the war council on November
20. 1914. as the ideal method OF defend
ins Egypt, 1t may reasonably be as
sumed that, ina smuch as all the au-
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