Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-05-21
.BR|T0Ns LEARNING TRUTH
OF EARLY WAR MUDDL|NG
as1ulth's Attempt to Defend Him
self Adds to Former Prcmicr's
Unpopularity.
fRENCH's BOOK RAISES sTIr
Niscount Is Bitterly Assailcd by
Friends OF Kitchener for Blaming
Dead War Chief for Mistakes.
Military Caste Is Furious.
my ROBERT wELLEs nrrCHIEJ

my ROBERT wELLEs RIrCHIEJ
LONDON. May 2o.a,,-Fiercer even
sir John Jcllcos book. is the war
now raging between politicians over
the disclosures of Viscount French in
his book. This new controversy Is
made all the more acute By cx-Premier
Asuuith's New Castle defense of
Kitchener and incidentally Of himself.
or Prime Minister'S speech is the fact
that. while appearing to defend
Kitchener against the charge that the
latter was responsible for the shell
cover behind the lat" *. Of n by
attributng his. Asquith's. famous
..shell speech" of April. 1915. to In
formation and assurances from k!tch-
cncr and himself.
Already the hostile press has seized
upon this fact 80 blast Asquth. and
former Premier will be "deader" than
before when the man IN the street
appreciates the fun significance of his
statement.
IL was assured By Kitchener that
our operations were not crippled by
lack OF munitions do not know
whom else ! could have gone To Tor
authentic information.
VIII Resent Attack.
The Kitchener legend is still strong
with the British people. who VIII sure
~ resent Asquiths passing the re-
nponsibili,y TO "A dead hero.
u
Kitchener controversy for compren-
tension for American readers:
In the carry yo years OF the a,n wsrmi y.
ls' Until h0y srtsh sS 9yeT nent
'muidicd through Everybody real
lied tina, there was muddlinr incom-
retency In high places. but the censor,
ship jealousy concealed The facts and
shielded regulations until Northciiffe
r.sked being thrown IA the tower as
traitor for his fearless assault on
Il = h,,yT hA I.h .st nn..
OF munitions leading eventually 10 the
asccndancy of Lloyd George and the
overthrow OF Liberals.
French Defends HIm.clf.
Eyen then ,ae fac IS. we're ,:i.,n not NE re-
shai French speaks in his defense
showing the alleged interference by
Kitchener with his. French's. command
kitchener's policy OF histo!nted action
with Marshal Jonre. which contributed
10 the hasco OF Antwnrp's rchof. and
tho governments refusal 10 send him
General Plumcr at the critical nom
cnt
Naturally tho professional military
caste IS furious. accusing French oil
violation OF profes onal ethics and
oven moving in Parliament 10 nave The
field marshal publicly disGraccd.
Blu; the fact IS that the British
people arc learning for the first time
The bitter truth OF tho criminal mud
~ar-tho truth which may or may not
ii- behind the useless sacrifices o:
thousands OF lives at Loos and NeuNe
Chapclle.
Is bitterly Attacked.
Kitchencr's adherents attack French
fn' assailiug a man who is unable &c
answer his charges. Frcnch's sole re
Ply TO this is that re owes II 10 him
self and thosc under him no longer "a
remain silent under the implied stigma
Of Incompetence. no matter VINO Is
shown TO he responsible by his rercla-
lions.
Commenting on Asqu!th's speech a;
Newcastle The Times says:
"Asquith's loyalty TO his colleagues
Is we'll known. but in replying to his
own critics. he has come for the hrst
time in his political career perllously
near departure from his own stand
ards or Loyalty.
Ellis explanation may ahsolTc him
personally. but only AT the expense OF
:; dead man whose vindication lie has
undertaken.