Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-09
Churchill and Fisher Lead
ing Actors--Fran Reu-
elations of British
Management.
Try Associated pres..l

LONDON, March S.-The RESPONSE
btlity for what many persons cons ider
the il,-fated Dardanelles campaign is
discussed with remarkable candor and
clearness by report on the inception
of the operations, issued to-day by a
special commission. over which tho
late Lord Cromer presided. The en-
tire country. particularly partisans In
the controversy. which was waged over
the parts played in the Dardanelles
drama by Winston Spencer Churchill
then First Lord of the Admiralty; Lord
Fisher. then First Sea Lord: the late
Earl Kitchener, Secretary OF War and
the then Primo Minister. Herbert
Henry .Asauith. have awaited these
revelat tions with the most intense in
tercst.
No Other document concerning the
war has shown so much light upon tho
inner history Of the operations. Such
revelations have seldom hccn pub
lishcd by any government in time OF
war. The commission discusses the
whole system Of British management
OF naval and military affairs. from the
methods OF tho Premier himself down
TO those OF the junior members OF the
Sea Lords board, and eNpounds criti-
cal conclusions with perfect frankness
Far from settling controversies. the
document appears likely to bring up
an interesting case OF Winston Spencer
Churchill versus Jackie" Fisher, or
al least 10 leave the friends OF those
leading actors in the situation with
subject matter for a debate as lasting
as that surrounding McClellan's cam
pa!gn in the American Civil War
CR0aIER'S PEN DISCERNIBLE
THROUGHOUT DOCUMENT
This was Lord Cromer's last public
work. Ills pen is discernible through
out the document. which he signed on
his deathbed. The witnesses examined
included AFR. Asquith. Colonel Churchill,
Viscount Grey former Secretary for
Foreign Affairs; Arthur J. Balfour.
former First Lord Of the Admiralty.
and now Foreign Secretary: Prime
Minister Lloyd George the Marquis Of
Crewe. former president Of the Board
of Education: Reginald McEenna. for
mer Chancellor Of the ENchequer. and
Niscount IIaldane. former Lord High
Chancellor, who were members Of Mr..
Asquith's Cabinct--aE the principal
PerSOnaseS COnnecteu with the eSpedi-
,ion except Earl Kitchener-and also
Lord Fisher. Admira, Sir Arthur
knyvet Wilson and other sea lords:
Admiral Garden: General Sir ian Ham
iiton. who commanded the naval and
land operations. and many lesser OH
ciais.
The management Of the war de-
volved in November 1914. upon a war
council OF the Cabinet, consisting az
Mr.. Asnuith, Earl Kitchener and Mr..
Churchill. with Sir Edward Grey;
Lloyd George and the Marquis OF
Crewe. then heads OF the Foreign,
Treasury and India offices. participat-
ing, but with comparatively inactive
advisory functions Sea Lords Fisher
and Wilson were with Mr.. Churchill.
and Chief OF Staff. General Murray. with
Carl Kitchener theoretically as tech
nical advisers. but in practice. accord
ing 10 the report. usually playing silent
parts. The commission vas struck
with the atmosphere OF raGueness and
want OF precision, which seems to have
characterized the proceedings OF the
war council"
Different members, the report says.
sometimes lett tho council with diff
'fcrent Views as to whether certain