LOSS OF HAMPSHIRE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 109, 8 April 1926, Page 7

LOSS OF HAMPSHIRE

AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT. DEATH OF KITCHENER. NOT DUE TO TREACHERY. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, April G. Tho Daily Express features a striking article by Mr A. C. Fox-Davies, a barrister, who in war-time served in the law branch of the Navy, giving what is described as tho final authentic and conclusive account of Lord Kitchener’s death. The Express points out that, despite Ministerial statements in tho House of Commons, public meetings and newspaper correspondence show that there is still a widespread suspicion that the loss of H.M.S. Hampshire was duo to treachery. Mr Fox-Davies says: “A celebrated woman spy in Berlin claims to bo responsible for Lord Kitchener’s death. This is a lie. Tho Hampshire was lost while I served in the naval law branch. Allied Governments sought details, and I made a precis reply, for which every single paper the Admiralty possessed passed through my hands. “Fleet street knew eight days before tho embarkation that Lord Kitchener was going to Russia. Possibly, though it is doubtful, Germany also know;. The Hampshire was only commissioned for tho voyage two days ahead. “Lord Kitchener arrived at ocapa Flow in the morning, and lunched with Admiral Jellicoe aboard the Iron Duke. A storm blowing up increased to a gale, and Admiral Jellicoo therefore did Ids utmost to persuade Lord Kitchener not to sail that night. Lord Kitchener insisted. Admiral Jellicoe and his navigating officer thereupon mapped out a route, and chose a most unusual course owing to the storm. “Tho Hampshire sailed at 5.30 p.m. How was it possible between the end of lunch and 5.30 p.m. for Germany to learn the route and lay mines. Nobody aboard tho Hampshire knew tho route till one hour beforehand. Tho Hampshire sailed accompanied by destroyers, but sent them back owing to the storm. “There were only twelve survivors from the loss of the Hampshire. All told their story. Seme heard one explosion, though really there were two. Tho Germans usually laid the mines in chains of sixes. The other four mines were found later. “It was not at first supposed that tho Hampshire was sinking, but when it became obvious that she was, there was a hue and cry aboard lor Lord Kitchener, who could not ho found. He was last seen standing on deck. “How the mines wero laid is not certainly known, but afterwards there was a shrewd suspicion of a small fishing vessel Hying the Dutch flag "Inch was seen in tho neighbourhood. Ihe only opportunity for treachery would he that Admiral Jelhcoe’s navigator deliberately sent tho Hampshire where ho knew mines were laid. I his is hopelessly, absurd. “Tho body of a British officer was washed ashore in Norway, and is now buried as ‘unknown’ in a tiny JNoiwegian cemetery." There is reason to believe it might be Lord Kitchener s. The countrv owes him an unrepayable debt, but there is no reason for accusations of treachery against the Navy, lor which there is not the least tittle of foundation.” —A. and NZ. cable.