MESOPOTAMIA EXPIDITION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 14051, 22 July 1916, Page 3

CRITICISM IN PARLIAMENT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 21. In the House of Lords to-day, Lord Wemyss raised the question of the Mesopotamia expedition. He moved for an inquiry into the whole campaign. He said many people believed it had been a gambling venture. The moment the Dardanelles expedition failed Mesopotamia ought to have been abandoned. A madder undertaking could not be imagined—twelve thousand troops advancing 50 miles against tlie full force of the Turkish army. Lord Crewe sad it was imperative in the critical moment of August, 1914, to reassert our paramount position in the Persian Gulf. To counteract the German campaign, which was seeking to induce a Holy War, it was necessary to support the faithful Arab chiefs. Our presence in the Gulf saved the Empire from the near approach of a great disaster. It was also necessary to consider the great Moslem people in Africa, who might easily have been aroused against us. Lord Islington stated that all troops iri Mesopotamia were now fully rationed, except that there was a shortage of vegetables and milk. Political considerations would not allow overruling the advice of the military in connection with the campaign. Lord Islington added that General Nixon undoubtedly believed he coulel carry out the operations successfully. General Townshend never questioned in any correspondence to which the Government had access his capacity to do it. It was apparent that General Nixon had underrated the difficulties. , Lord Wemyss's motion was carried. In the House of Commons Mr Bryco said that if the country knew the appalling facts of the hospital arrangements in Mesopotamia, no whitewashing committee would suffice. Mr. Lloyd-George said that henceforth, the Army Council' would have complete control with the Commander-in-Chief in India in respect of the conduct of the campaign. There were abundant supplies now at Basrah. The War Office was endeavouring to remedy the difficulties of sending them to troops. The first duty was to put matters right and the second was to bring those responsible for negligence and incapacity to account. ' Mr. Chamberlain said that in the event of incompetence being proved the Government would act at once, and not wait for the Commission's findings. He denied that the misfortunes had been due to financial niggardliness. The Lidian Government, which was not responsible to the House of Commons, had voted money for the expedition. Mr. Asquith'sr motion was formally negatived.