BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16141, 20 February 1918, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PART.

THE HIGH COMMAND. GENERAL ROBERTSON'S NEW POSITION. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) , (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) LONDON. February 18. ' General Sir William Robertson lias accepted the Eastern Homo Command, until recently /held by Lieutenant-Gene-ral Sir Honry Wilson, the new British Commander-in-Chief. Mr Lloyd George will make a statement to-morrow. QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS. LONDON, February 18. Thero was much excitement in the House in expectation of the clearing up of the mystery attendant. o;i Sir Wil.liam Robertson's resignation. Mr Lloyd George's cold, however, made it impossible for him to attend. Sir Henry Dalziel' asked whether Sir William Robertson had been offered and had accepted an important military post. Mr Bonar Law replied: "Yes. He has accepted the Eastern Command, which was offered to him to-day." Mr J. M. Hogge interjected: "Whv not the command of the Boy Scouts?" Mr Bonar Law added that the Premier would make a full statement tomorrow, when the House would have an opportunity for discussion. (Router's Telegrams.) (Received February 19tli, 7.00 p.m.) LONDON, February 18. In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law, in reply to a question by Mr Pemberton Billing as to whether Sir William Robertson resigned or was dismissed. declined to anticipate the discussion on tlie recent cliangc.s. GOVERNMENT'S ACTION APPROVED. (Reuter's Telegrams.) (Received February 20th, 12.u a.m.) LONDON, February 18. The "Daily Chroniclc," referring to Sir William Robertson's retirement, suggests that the nation should trust the Government's judgment. Sir William Robertson, it states, would only J oxoi t a dissentient influence on the : Allied Council'.': decisions. J THE NEW COMMANDER-JN CHIEF. (Received Fcbruarv 20th. 12.5 a.m.) PARIS, February 18. The Press cordially approves of Sir Henry Wilson's anointment, which it considers will help to increase tho authority and co-operation oi the Allied Council. VIEWS OF BRITISH JOURN.TL2. (Australian a.'id N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received February 19i:h, 8.35 p.m.) LONDON, February 18. Tho "Morning Post" says:— "The dismissal of a man of such

character and capability as Sir William Robertson, for no better reason than to satisfy the imperious temper of a volatile political, is nothing short of a national calamity, at which the enemy will greatly rejoice. The insidious circumstances surrounding the summary dismissal of this great soldier is sufiicient to shatter confidence in Mr Lhnd George. "The need of the hour is a Prime Minister commanding the confidence «:f all patriotic parties." (United Service.) (Received February 19th. 7.35 p.m.) LONDON, February IS. The "Manchester Guardian" says:— "The crisis will not shako the Government unless a majority ot the Unionists demand a reconstruction. It 1 is difficult to see how an Asquith Government could reverse t'.io \ ersailles policy, concerning which the Allies are unanimous." GERMAN COMMENT. (Australian ami M.Z. C;ible Association.) (.Received Frbriiarv 19th, S.L'5 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, February IS. Commenting on Sir William Robertson's resignation, the "Yossische Zeitung" asks whether Mr Lloyd George is gambling at a gamo of hanker. ►Sir William Robertson, it states, vainly opposed Mr Llovd George's Flemish strategy, so his resignation was the logical result. LABOUR AND THE WAR. (Renter's TelegTams.) PARIS, February IS. Mr Arthur Henderson, in au interview, said that lie had succeeded in smoothing many of the difficulties with the French an t l Italian Socialists. He said:— "We agreed that a. Workers' Conference is necessary in order to act simultaneously with the Conference of Governments. Only thus, will it be possible to sccuro a peoplo's peace. International co-operation must replace international aggression." DISTRIBUTION OF CHEESE. (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received February 19th, 8.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 18. Tho Food Controller is distributing one half of the trade's applications for cheese. AN ARMY OF 5,000,000. (Eeuter's Telegrams.) (Received February 20th, 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, February 19. The British Army estimates provide for 5j000,000 men. MILITARY HONOURS. j NEW ZEALANDERS DECORATED. (Australian and N.Z. C&ble Association.) (Router's Telegrams) LONDON, Februarv 18. The Disfcinfsuishcd Service Order has beon awarded to Lieutenant 15. >V. Dixon (Anzac Camel Corps) and the Military Cross to Lieutenants F. S. Cornett (Machine-Gun Squadron), L. L. Milton (Anzac Camel Corps), L. W. Sutherland (Royal Flying Corps). Fifteen Australians and two New Zealanders have been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.