IN MESOPOTAMIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8463, 31 May 1916, Page 5

IN MESOPOTAMIA.

THE BAGDAD ADVENTURE. INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE PUBLISHED. LONDON, May 30. . A White Paper containing the correspondence with, reference to the campaign in Mesopotamia has been issued. It shows,that Major-General Townshond warned the Government' that it it was desired to occupy Bagdad two divisions of troops wero necessary, ana that he would be taking a grave .risk in moving on Bagdad with his weak division alone, .as the Turks would doubtless. send, reinforcements. The White Paper shows that neither the Home Government nor the Government of India were aware of General Townshond's so-called protest. Mr Austen Chamberlain, Secretary of State for India, made inquiries in ; consequence'of rumours that were circulating in London. He found that General Townshend's statement, entered in the Wnr Diary of the 6th Division on October 3, was to the effect that it was absolutely necessary, if the advance from Kut-cl-Amara was to lie carried out- methodically, that two divisions should bo employed, exclusive pt troops for o-arrisons and lines of .communication." About this time General Sir . John Nixon, Commander-in-Ghief m Mesopotamia, received General Townshend's report. Sir John Nixon heard that another division was coming to Mesopotamia, and communicated • the fact to General Townshend. The War Office.decided on October 24 that two further division* should be sent from France,. '■■,-. .., , Majbr-General Kemball tw>co visited General Townshend by aeroplane in October arid November, but he gave Sir John Nixon no inkling that General - Townshend was doubtful regarding the „ adequacy of his force. Sir John Nixon says ho considered the despatch of the two divisions fulfilled General Townshond's conditions. When Mr Chamberlain recently asked General Townshend hi«« recollection of Mm matter. General Townshend said: - ; '' I was certainly taking a grave risk . in marching on Bngds"l with nno t division, of which the. British- V>at-

talions had been reduced to half strength. Having called Sir John Nixon's attention to tho risk, my conscience was clour,' and I prepared to carry out my orders. It would have been contrary to discipline to protest in the full sen bo of tho meaning of the word." Goi?er;il Townshond added that in the first, ir>?tanro ho himself contemplated getting to Bagdad.