-- Good work of the
Committee of Imperial Defence in providing certain organizations
for special purposes before the war -- The contre-espionage
branch -- The Government's singular conduct on the occasion of
the first enemy spy being executed at the Tower -- The cable
censorship -- The post office censorship -- A visit from Admiral
Bacon -- His plan of landing troops by night at Ostend -- Some
observations on the subject -- Sir J. Wolfe Murray leaves the War
Office -- An appreciation of his work -- The Dardanelles papers
to be presented to Parliament referred to me -- My action in the
matter and the appointment of the Dardanelles Committee in
consequence -- Mr. Lloyd George, Secretary of State for War --
His activities -- I act as D.C.I.G.S. for a month -- Sound
organization introduced by Sir W. Robertson -- Normal
trench-warfare casualties and battle casualties -- I learn the
facts about the strengths of the different armies in the field --
Troubles with the Cabinet over man-power -- Question of
resignation of the Army Council -- The Tank Corps and Tanks --
The War Office helps in the reorganization of the Admiralty --
Some of the War Cabinet want to divert troops to the Isonzo --
The folly of such a plan -- Objections to it indicated -- Arrival
of General Pershing in London -- I form one of the party that
proceeds to Devonport to meet Colonel House and the United States
Commissioners -- Its adventures -- Admirals adrift -- Mr. Balfour
meets the Commissioners at Paddington.

During those months as Director of Military Operations my
responsibilities were in reality of a most varied nature. They covered
pretty well the whole field of endeavour, from drafting documents
bearing upon operations--subjects for the edification of the very
elect--down to returning to him by King's Messenger the teeth which a
well-known staff-officer had inadvertently left behind him at his club
when returning to the front from short leave. One was for various
reasons brought into contact with numbers of public men who were quite
outside of Government circles and official institutions, and whose
acquaintance it was agreeable to make. Moreover, officers of high
standing, over from the front or holding commands at home, would look
in to pass the time of day and keep one posted with what was going on
afield. Soldiers appointed