. Further pages of my life. wing seedsof distrust and hostility during recent has added a bitterness to strife which had no counter-part among the combatants in the Crimean War. The story of the Crimean War was, like most of our wars,a story of stupefying blunders. The sufferings of our troopsin the Crimea were great, and the surprising part of thematter was that they were needless. For long the troopssuffered in patience, but at last the tale of their pains andprivations became known. Public opinion demanded in-quiry, and in deference to it, two commissioners wereappointed. One of
. Further pages of my life. wing seedsof distrust and hostility during recent has added a bitterness to strife which had no counter-part among the combatants in the Crimean War. The story of the Crimean War was, like most of our wars,a story of stupefying blunders. The sufferings of our troopsin the Crimea were great, and the surprising part of thematter was that they were needless. For long the troopssuffered in patience, but at last the tale of their pains andprivations became known. Public opinion demanded in-quiry, and in deference to it, two commissioners wereappointed. One of these was Sir John MacNeill, whosebrilliant and heroic work in Persia had done so much forBritish influence there : as his comrade in the commissionColonel TuUoch was appointed. They set ofF for theCrimea, animated by the simple desire to report truthfullyand advise as wisely as they could for the health and feedingof the army. They were not welcomed too warmly bythe officials of the army, who felt that their efficiency was. WAR MEMORIES 225 questioned by the appointment of the commission. Likeall who are conscious of shortcomings they resented In spite of difficulties a report was drawn up. It wasinevitable that it should call attention to blunders andnegligence. Supplies were in Balaclava harbour, while thesoldiers were suffering from want : food in plenty could behad from Black ^ea. ports. Our troops were starving amidplenty, because the transport was inadequate and the com-missariat unintelligent. It was the usual story of well-intentioned blundering. The commissioners had done theirwork : they presented their report to Parliament; and thenthe curse of political partisanship began to show itself. Toshield some cabinet minister from blame, the facts broughtto .light must be obscured, and to do this the commissionersmust be disparaged. Military pride, which had resented aparliamentary inquiry into army affairs, joined with politicalnecessity to belittle or ignore th
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