The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-03-09

London, March S.-The responsible
ity for what many persons consider
the ill-fated Dardanelles campaign Is
discussed with remarkable candor and
clearness by report on the inception
of the operations, issued today by a
special commission over which the
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 premier Herbert Henry AS
quith. have awaited these revelations
with the most intense interest.
Remarkable Revelations.
No other document concerning the
war has thrown SO much light upon
the inner history OF the operations.
Such revelations have seldom been
published by any government in
time Of war. The commission dis
cussed the whole system of British
management of naval and military at
fairs from the methods of the premier
himself down to those Of the junior
members of the sea lords board, and
expounds critical conclusions with per-
feet frankness. Far from settling the
controversies. the document appears
likely to bring up an interesting case
Of Winston Spencer Churchill versus
"Jacky" Fisher. or at least to leave
the friends of those leading actors in
the situation with subject matter for
a debate as lasting as that surround
ing McClellan's campaign in the Amer
lean civil war.
Ministers Examined.
This was Lord Cromer's last public
work. His pen is discernable through
out the document, which he signed or
his death bed. The witnesses exam
ined included Mr.. Asquith, Colone
Churchill, viscount Grey. former sec.
rotary for foreign affairs; Arthur
Balfour. former first lord of the ad.
miralty and now foreign secretary
Prime Minister Lloyd George: tn,
Marquis of Crewe. former president o
the board Of education: Reginald Nc
kenna, former chancellor of the ex
chcquer and viscount Haldane, forme
lord high chancellor. who were mem
bers Of Mr.. Asquiths cabinet. all tn
principal persOnages connected witt
the expedition except Earl Kitchener
and also Lord Fisher. Admiral 81
Arthur Knyvct Wilson and other Sc
lords. Admiral Garden. General 81
Ian Hamilton. who commanded tn
naval and land operations, and man
lesser officials.
| War Council.
The management of the war dc
yolved in November, 1914. upon a wa
council Of the cabinet consisting Of Nj
Asquith. Earl Kitchener and Nj
Churchill. with Sir Edward Grey, NJ
Lloyd George and the Marquis {
Crewe. then heads of the foreigl
treasury and Indian officers. partici
lpating. but with comparatively mac
tive advisory functions. Sea Lord
Fisher and Wilson were with NJ
Churchill and Chief of-staf Gener,
Murray with Earl Kitchener. thee
retically as technical advisers. but
practice, according to the repor
usually playing silent parts. The CON
mission was struck with the atmos
phere OF vagucness and want of prs
cision which seems to have char
acterized the proceedings OF the We
council.
Different members, the report say
sometimes left the council with di
ferent views as to whether certa
Questions had been really decided /,
only Professionally. The Marquis
Crewe and yiscount Haldane e,
n pressed the opinion that polite
members did too much talking al
that the experts took small parts
the discussions. Mr.. Churchill test
fled that Mr.. Asquith and Earl Kitcl
ener settled matters" although
had the same authority. The commi
sion thought his view was over-mo'
h est. The cabinet as a body placed {
responsibility on the council. som
times requesting that IT was not to
:. told OF occurrences, Oil the ground tn
the fewer who knew of them 4
better.
Kitchener Dominated.
lc Earl Kitchener's dominating inn
J. ence peryades the Testimony. T
eommtsslon says he would not lmps