(_Note._--Before this meeting the Prime Minister discussed with Mr. Churchill and Lord Fisher the proposed Dardanelles operations and decided in favour of considering the project in opposition to Lord Fisher’s opinion.) THE DARDANELLES. Mr. Churchill asked if the War Council attached importance to the proposed Dardanelles operations, which undoubtedly involved risks. Lord Fisher said that he had understood that this question was not to be raised at this meeting. The Prime Minister knew his (Lord Fisher’s) views on the subject. The Prime Minister said that, in view of what had already been done, the question could not be left in abeyance. (_Note._--Thereupon Lord Fisher left the Council table. He was followed by Lord Kitchener, who asked him what he intended to do. Lord Fisher replied to Lord Kitchener that he would not return to the Council table, and would resign his office as First Sea Lord. Lord Kitchener then pointed out to Lord Fisher that he (Lord Fisher) was the only dissentient, and that the Dardanelles operations had been decided upon by the Prime Minister; and he urged on Lord Fisher that his duty to his country was to go on carrying out the duties of First Sea Lord. After further talk Lord Fisher reluctantly gave in to Lord Kitchener and went back to the Council table.[9]) [Illustration: THE FIRST SEA LORD. By William Nicholson.] Mr. Churchill stated _that the ultimate object of the Navy was to obtain access to the Baltic_. There were, he said, three Naval phases:-- 1st phase.--The clearing of the outer seas (this had been accomplished). 2nd phase.--The clearing of the North Sea. _3rd phase.--The clearing of the Baltic._ _Mr. Churchill laid stress on the importance of the third phase and said this latter operation was of great importance, as Germany always had been, and still was, very nervous of an attack from the Baltic._ For this purpose special vessels were required, and the First Sea Lord (Lord Fisher) had designed cruisers, &c., &c.[10] The meeting was adjourned to 6.30 the same evening. _10th Meeting of War Council (same day), January 28th, 1915, at 6.30 p.m._ The plan of a naval attack on Zeebrugge was abandoned and the Dardanelles operations were decided upon. _11th Meeting of War Council, February 9th, 1915._ Mr. Churchill reported that the Naval attack on the Dardanelles would take place on February 15th. (This was afterwards postponed until February 19th.) _12th Meeting of War Council, February 16th, 1915._ Agreed that the 29th Division should be sent to the Dardanelles and other arrangements made to support the Naval attack on the Dardanelles. The Admiralty were authorised and pressed to build or obtain special craft for landing 50,000 men wherever a landing might be required. _13th Meeting of War Council, February 19th, 1915._ Transports ordered to be got ready:-- 1. To convey troops from Egypt to the Dardanelles;