AFTERMATH OF MESOPOTAMIA MUDDLE.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13932, 14 July 1917, Page 6

AFTERMATH OF MESOPOTAMIA MUDDLE.

J BLUNDERERS TO BEIMPUGNED BEFORE COURT OF „ INQUIRY. ; RESIGNATION 'OP■ MR 'AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN. / ■' '! •" (Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association.) LONDON, July 12. Mr Austen Chamberlain lias 'resigned the Secretaryship for India. (Australian and New Zealand Cabin Aisodation.) Received July 13, at 5.25 p.m.! ; LONDON, July 12. In the House of Commons, Mr Chiimberlain announced that lr: had resigned because his conduct might be impugned before the Mesopotamia!! Court of Inquiry. ,

IMPORTANT DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF LORDS. EXPLANATION BY THE MARQUIS OF CREWE. (Australian and New Zealand Oahle Association.) Resccived July 13, at 10.45 p.m. ; . . LONDON, July 12. In the House of Lords there was a large attendance of peers duririg tlic t\vQ 4 ,i^ay§' v clebate oiij the' Mesopotamia report, ••• The Marquis of 'Crewe paid a tribute to the Commission's labours, but complained that public criticism, in some instances was going beyond the report. The inception of the expedition was due to Turkey's entry into the war campaign. Ilje pointed out Lidia.V'unique-position in the [.Empire and India had been almost uniformly successful to the 15th June. It ,was generally realised that the capture of Kut.el-lmara would'be, strategically important, He denied that India's assistance iirthe world-war was lukewarm from the.beginning.! He defended the Viceroy and his | Secretary of State. ' '■