The sun., 1917-07-04
HARDTNGE PUTS
TIGRIS BLAME
UP TO LONDON
Former Viceroy of India
Says Appeals for More
Troops Were Refused.
HIS OFFICE sORELY TRIED
Was Dealing With Seven
Tribal Attacks When MesO-
potamia Campaign Began.

LONDON, July 3.-There was an un-
usual scene in the House of Lords this
afternoon when Baron Hardinge, fol-
merly viceroy Of India, appeared TO de-
fend and explain his share In the man
agement of the hrst Mesopotamia expe-
dition, which eliminated in the surren-
der OF Major-Gen. Townshend at Kut-
el-Amara with about 10000 men, the
largest British force which had laid
down arms before an enemy in more
| than a century.
The revelations contained in the re-
| cent report OF the commission on the
MesopotRmia expedition and the charges
| contained therein caused a greater sem
| sation in Great Britain than any similar
| episode since the Crimean War. and
portion of the press has been calling for
| the impeachment or the dismissal from
public Office of all concerned. including
| Baron Hardinge, who is now Permanent
1 Under Secretary Of the Foreign Office.
| Lord Hardinge began with an express
sion of regret that the commission did
not include an eminent lawyer accus-
| toned to weigh evidence, and that all
! the evidence taken could not be pub
lished.
Reports Were Deceivine.
'HThe viceroy is theoretically RESPONSE
/ BILE for everything that happens In India
and outside of India where Indian inter-
ests are affected" he said after a de-
tailed review OF the mapagement OF the
| expedition, but he has to trust to his
| lieutenants and advisers for information
| and guidance. have no desire to shirk
, any responsibility that Is my due. but It
| is not easy TO know what further strenu-
.,Nk 4 ha aNfal
taken without exposing myself to the
charge of excessive civilian interference
in military affairs.
! Private rumor said that things were
! going badly. The official reports sa1d
they were going we'll 1t was my first
duty to ascertain the truth. II may be
difficult for officials in England to realize
/ the inherent dlfficulty of personal super
vision by the Viceroy OF medical ar
rangements on river 5000 miles away
in the midst Of his other heavy labors Of
governing a country bigger than Europe
and with more than 100000 inhabi-
tants"
Lord Hardinge expressed regret that
the commissions report might cause
feeling in India that India s efforts and
| sacrifices had not been adequately ap-
preclated at home. The report scarcely
referred to the greatest military effort
ever made In India's history in despatch
ing expeditions TO France. Egypt and
East Africa, so that the military equip
ment and stores were almost exhausted
before the MesopotAmia campaign was
considered.
India Did More Than share.
He pointed out that the commission
under Field Marshal Baron Nicholson,
which investigated the Indian army in
"A a Int nf
seven and one-third divisions OF infantry,
and five cavalry brigades with reserves
and that within six months after the war
India had moblized ten Infantry divi-
sions and had sent seven overseas, and
eight cavalry brigades, OF which six
went TO France. India had also sup
piled immense stores OF ammunition and
equipment to the home Government.
AS a result, Indias own needs became
pressing when the Mesopotamia opera
tons began. but insistent demands upon
the War Office for troops. machine guns
and other material met with refusal or
scanty supplies, owing to the greater
need in France. AT the same time, he
said, the Indian Government ut the most
critical period OF the war successfully
carried out the greatest military opera.
tiOns since the frontier campaign Of 1897
in effectively dealing with seven serious
attacks By tribeSmen on the northwest
frontier.
Dealing with the circumstances of
Gen. Sir John Nlxon's advance from
Kut toward Bagdad with an insufficient
force. Lord Hardinge said that although
, the Government OF India was fully alive
to the political and military advantages
OF the capture Of Bagdad. 1t was alb
solutely opposed to An advance without
reinforcement by another division, and
he read unpublished correspondence
with the India ONCE to that effect.
: Gen. Nixon reported directly TO the
3 home Government that he could defeat
4 the Turks and occupy Bagdad but that
= II the Turks were REINFORCED he would
need another division.
5 Rested with London.
= 1t must be remembered, said Lord
: Hardinge. that Gen. Nixon was at the
head Of victorious army. The de-
cision rested with the home Govern-
!, !, ment tho Indian Government could
only make recommendations. Knowing
that the Gallipoli expedition was not
, going well and the Cabinets Views on
the political and military advantages OF
n the occupation OF Bagdad. and believing
a that Gen. Nixon was in the best posi-.
ton TO Judge the number of troops he
n required. the Government OF India, he
:. declared. would have exposed itself to
the criticism Of having ignored the de-
mands OF the empire at a critical
moment II 1t had ovorridden the opinion
Il Of the General commanding In the field
1T would have been a case OF civilian
n interference with military plans" said
the former Vioeroy AT the same time
we emphasized the necessity Of the rear
= foroement OF Gen Nixon by a fully
: organised division. which should reach
!, Bagdad not later than one month aftsl