PUBLIC ARE FOOLS TO ALLOW SUPPRESSION OF DARDANELLES REPORT, SAYS GENERAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18938, 7 December 1929, Page 1

PUBLIC ARE FOOLS TO ALLOW SUPPRESSION OF DARDANELLES REPORT, SAYS GENERAL.

Some Military Reputations Would Not Shine So Brightly Afterwards, Sir lan Hamilton Asserts. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received December 7, 8.55 a.m.) LONDON. December 6. “ The public has the remedy in its own hands,” de-

dared Sir lan Hamilton to a “ Daily News ” representative, when referring to Mr Lloyd George’s remarks on the Gallipoli campaign, which he said was a failure because of the lack of co-ordination between the Government Departments concerned. “ IT he public ought to insist on the publication of the Dardanelles Commission’s report. I agree that there was no coordination at Whitehall during the Dardanelles expedition. 'The Departments of State were in steel-clad compartments. There will be no change until a Department of Defence is created to co-ordinate action. The Commission’s report contains the opinions of witnesses on oath with the memory of events fresh in their minds. Some military reputations might not be quite so shining afterwards. What does that matter? There can be no harm from the strategical military viewpoint.” Speaking to an “ Evening News ” representative. Sir lan Hamilton said: “ Often during the past ten years I have commented on the absurdity of continuing for the sake of two or three political reputations to keep dark that mine of interest, namely the Dardanelles report . The public have been flapdoodled into imagining that the actual report published by the Royal Commission, with a few extracts from the remarks of witnesses, contained something approaching a precis of the whole matter. It was nothing of the sort. Do you know what flapdoodle really is? It is the food they, use to feed to fools.”