ECHO OF A WAR OFFICE SCANDAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3150, 31 July 1917, Page 5

ECHO OF A WAR OFFICE SCANDAL

LADY RANDOEPH CHURCHILL SUES FOR HBEL. (Bee. July 30, 11.15 p.m.) Sydney, July 30. ■V writ has been issued on behalf of lady Kandolpli Churchill, claiming .810,000 damages, against the Sydney "Truth" newspaper for alleged libel involved in certain comments relative to the Barrett case. —Press Association. [The Barrett case concerned War Office inquiry into allesations of "petticoat influence" in connection with military appointments. Second-Lieutenant Barrett, an Irish soldier, had been patronised by Mrs. Cornwaflis-'West, andtho latter subsequently accused Barrett of paying her unpleasant attentions. The inquiry, -which established the fact that certain officers had indulged unwisely the interference of feminine influence with appointments, completely exonerated him, and the woiunn in the ensp was judged to 1)0 outside military jurisdiction. Colonel Delme Kudcliff, whose conduct hail been very seriously impugned, was removed from tho command of his battalion. General Owon Thomas and Sir Henry Mackiniion were aleo involved iu tho case, but the Court decided that they were actuated by good intentions. Sir John Cowans was doing such excellent service as quartermaster-general that Lord Derby (Secretary for War) considered that tho best interests of the Army would be served by intimating the Government's displeosuro at his action, while retaining him in his present position. Lad\ Al?anuolph Churchill did not figure in tho case nt all, but has been mentioned as the former wife of Colonel Cornwallis" ■ flftws\ whom slio 'divorced in I9ISJ .' i