On March 10, 1915, when the British cabinet discussed the future of Turkey-in-Asia, Lord Kitchener, the minister of war, advocated the occupation of Mesopotamia. Kitchener was ill-informed. He had never visited Mesopotamia and was woefully ignorant of the conditions. During the ancient period, Mesopotamia was one of the cradles of civilization, a veritable granary; it was a locum of the Acadian, Babylonian, and Assyrian empires. The damage inflicted on the country was cumulative, causing a complete disintegration of the rivers and creation of immense marshes. Prime Minister Asquith was not better informed on conditions in Mesopotamia than Kitchener. He was, however, more realistic, as well as superior in common sense. Cox seemed unaware of lack of transportation, which so seriously handicapped the Mesopotamian expedition. There was no railway system in the country, no adequate roads, and the rivers provided the only means of transportation.