EXPERTS NEEDED ON WAR COUNCIL.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 883, 8 December 1916, Page 7

EXPERTS NEEDED ON WAR COUNCIL.

DISASTROUS RESULTS OF EMPLOYINGAMATEURS. SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEW EXECUTIVE. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received December 8, 9 a.m.) LONDON, December 7. Lord Sydenham, the well-known authority on military engineering and naval defence, in an interview, said:—"lt is imperative that the War Council shall not comprise. more than five members, who shall be spared the preoccupations of managing large departments. At least two ought to have made a study of war on land and sea. and one man with a large practical business experience is essential. "The Prime Minister should be chairman; otherwise conflict between the War Council and Cabinet would be certain. "The fifth member ought to be a man of great political experience and statesmanlike character. '' We have been attempting to pit amateurs against professionals, with the inevitable results. If we repeat these grave mistakes the remaining chance of success will be lost." Lord Nunburnholme, in a letter to the newspapers, says: — "The country requires an executive consisting of the best soldiers, sailors, and business men—for example, Sir John Jellicoe, Sir William Robertson, Lord Devonport, and Sir Owen Philipps—with two good Labour men. This executive would " (1) See that there are sufficient heavy batteries utterly to destroy all the German artillery, and thus save the present heavy losses of infantry. " (2) Blockade the whole of Europe, including neutral countries, and thus cause an effective blockade. "(3) Secure that sufficient heavy guns be immediately produced, so that merchantmen might be able to sink submarines. "(4) Compel the immediate construction of at least 1000 standardised merchant ships, in addition to those already building, in order to secure an adequate supply of food and raw materials for munitions for Great Britain and the Allies."