THE GREAT WAR RECALLED.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17773, 8 October 1927, Page 17

THE GREAT WAR RECALLED.

Some Trenchant Notes. DIARY OF SIR HENRY WILSON. By Cable —Press Association— Copyrlsjri. Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Keceived October 7, p.in.) LONDON, October 6. Two volumes of trenchant notes made in the war-time diary of Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson, have just been published. They contain reference to Imperial war discussions in 1918, when lie was urging that things were so bad that there must be the fullest sacrifice. When referring to conscription m Ireland ho said: “I am not sure that Mr Lloyd George can see the gravity of the situation. General Smuts talked much academic nonsense. Mr Winston Churchill is the real gun in t-he. crisis.” Dealing with Imperial Ministers’ meetings, beginning on Juno 11, 191 b, he said: “Mr Borden made some very open remarks ou our strategy’, tactics, corps commanders, and staff; and Mr Massey agreed, so I must answer as best I can.”

On the Tuesday Sir Henry Wilson gave the Premiers a seventy minutes’ lecture on the military situation, for which he was congratulated. Then, on June 20, the Imperial War Cabinet discussed intervention in Siberia; also the question of transferring troops from Palestine to the Western front. He says: “Then Mr Hughes wanted to know about tho conduct of the war, the promotion of new Army officers in the future, etc. He had an interesting talk with Mr Hughes, who said lie was “out for fighting on, even if we were driven from France.”

Referring to the Prime Ministers’ meeting of July 31, to which Sit Henry Wilson sent a memorandum on the probable course of the 1919 campaign, he says: “Lord Milner is clear that we will never thrash the Bosche. Ho suggests holding them on the West, with 35 or 3G British and French divisions, and Americans, and sending ten British divisions to other theatres. Mr Hughes thought wo must smash the Gormans in France. General Smuts agreed with Lord Milner. Mr Hughes dissented, and said we must lick tlie Bosches on tho West. General Smuts thought we would never beat the Bosches.”

In speeches of tlio next few days' meetings—Lloyd George, Mr Border., Mr Hughes, General Smuts, aud Mr Massey—and Lord Milner were of opinion that we could not beat the Bcsc-hcs on the Wc-steni front, and so they went wandering, looking for laurels. Mr Hughes sees more clearly than tho others; lie secs that we must beat the Bosche army if we want real peace.

At the War Cabinet on August 13, Mr Borden proposed to hand over the leash, but discussion was postponed. Mr Mas-sey is also, opposed to Mr Borden’s suggestion of handing over tlie colonies.. Mr Hughes said: “If you want to shift us, come and' do it.” He claimed the right to help shape our foreign policy, adding that “we had none.”

Earlier chapters mention Sir Henry "Wilson’s prophecy in 1910, concerning Marshal Focli, when he said: “This fellow is going to command the Allies' armies,-when, the big war comes,” Of the first council in 1914, at which, the Dominion contingents were discussed, Sir Henry. "Wilson says: “Ft was a. historic meeting of men. who were for the most entirely ignorant of their subject.”

GROSSLY UNTRUE STATEMENTS. If I SING INDIGNATION- IN AUSTRALIA. By C»bl0--Pies.j Association-—Copyright Australia!, ami K.I. Cabic Association. (Deceived October 7, 10.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, October 7. The cabled statement in reference to the Anzaes at Gallipoli, arose out of the receipt of the proof sheets of the British official history of the-Gallipoli operations, which have been received at Canberra, in which" it is staled the Australian troops, who landed at Anzue, were herded together on the beach, and allowed other men to storm the heights. The statement lias aroused a storm of indignation in ail States. Mr Hughes, speaking at Canberra, said the man who wrote that statement, was guilty of an infamous libel on the' courage of soldiers whose deeds would live forever. General Monash, speaking at Melbourne, said : ‘There were no other people on Anznc Beach to do the lighting, but Australians and Now Zealanders. They were the only troops there for weeks. So it is impossible that others fought for them, while they were huddled on the beach. There is no question that the landing was magnificent, and an unparalleled feat of arms.”

General Monash added “If there be any comparisons drawn between the Dominion and English troops on Gallipoli, I may say that Dominion Generals were unfortunately compelled to form a very poor opinion of British troops, with the exception of the Twenty-ninth Division at Cape Helles, which was a magnificent formation of the veteran regiments of the British Army. “1 refer particularly to the British troops which attempted to laud at Suvla Bay on August 6,19 F 6. and to such troops as territorials. None of these were, comparable in efficiency, discipline, or leadership with the Australians and New Zealanders. I have the best reason for giving these facts, as I had many of these British units under my command at various times.” Mr Bruce stated he had not yet seen the manuscript, but would make inquiries as to its nature. He said it was deplorable, that after thirteen years, an argument should'.arisel as to-.what the Australians did 1 on the landing at Anzac.” The Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League announce that the statements were libellous, and they would immediately cable Earl Haig asking to have such grossly untrue statements Klinunated from the official history.