SIR IAN HAMILTON'S DESPATCH.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13980, 10 January 1916, Page 5

SIR IAN HAMILTON'S DESPATCH.

SUVLA BAY MUDDLE

FAILURE OF THE HIGHER

COMMAND

(Received Jan. 9, 5.5 p.m.)

London, Jan. 3

The "Daily Telegraph's" military correspondent says Sir lan a Hamilton went to Svivla; Bay, whdre he iouh& Lieutenant-Geiieral .Stopford still on board. The latter was dissatisfied that his divisional generals had not acted with greater energy, but neither General Stopford nor Sir lan Hamilton issued the positive orders which ?>ir lan Hamilton states were necessary, nor insisted upon their execution.

This confession is a remarkable instance of candour. It is clear that the greatest faults were committed by those in the highest authority. Sir lan Hamilton ought to have proceeded to Suvla Bay with the first troops, and watched the proceedings \mtil he was satisfied that the subordinate generals wore neting according to the letter and spirit of his instructions. •

The despatch.throws-heavy-blame ou Sir lan. Hamilton himself.' and liisy f suj>r "ordinate 'gene'raJa,' but it nmy well be questioned whether an operation of tin's (lelicsice nature gave enough pronisc of imc'r^ss "f> ju.sti^y the attempt. It is

"N i.-"!-/' ■:...,*. .„',' ■-* V/r-.-i : : ' iP^l".

CABLE- NEWS.,

t Press Absooiatiow • -CJopy bight. ]

verj* lamentable that the leaders of the highest units and their, executive staff failed, but it is not surprising, remembering tho utter contempt with which all executive staff work, practical and theoretical, was icgarded by tho Army chiefs before the war. It is to. be hoped that the further progress of the war will show vast improvement** in the

executive- '