BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16142, 21 February 1918, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PART.

THE HIGH COMMAND

MR LLOYD GEORGE'S EXPLANATION.

(Australian aDd N.Z, Cable Association.) (Received February 21st, 1.40 a.m.) LONDON, February 19.

The House was crowded to hear Mr Lloyd George's explanation of the extension of the functions of the Versailles War Council. Mr Lloyd George followed his notes closely.

The House seemed generally to r.ccept his vindication of the Versailles changes.

Mr Asquith's opening phrases showed that he had no intention of moving a voto of no-conlidencc.

Mr Chamberlain heartily approved of Mr Lloyd George's statement, though the rest of the debate was sharply critical, particularly in connexion with Lord Northcliffe's and other newspaper attacks on Admiral Lord Jellicoe and Sir William Robertson.

There was a similar debate in the Houso of Lords.

Lord Curzon said that Sir Douglas Haig would still, havo full control of his own troops. Tho only difference was that the Supreme Council would have certain troops at their disposal which they could add to Sir Douglas Haig's, or send elsewhere, according to the needs of the moment.

A cable message from Sydney, received early this morning states that Mr Lloyd George's speech regarding tho Robertson incident, which preceded the speech of Mr Asquith, had not come to hand yet.

-AH? ASQUITH'S SPEECH

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received February 20th, 10.10 p.m.) LONDON, February 19.

In the House of Commons, Mr Asquith paid a tribute to Sir William Robertson's groat example. He could not help wishing that Mr Lloyd George's speech had been madu a week ago, when the Premier refused to define the functions of the Versailles Council.

"For asking this information," said Mr Asquith, "I was assailed ns a pacifist —even as a 8010 in disguise—such was tlis fashion of some important and widely-circulated newspapers which are now conducted under the auspices of those who, since last week, hare become the custodians of propaganda. I understood last week that the changes in the Versailles Council's functions had the full assent and approval of all the Government's military advisers. I now know that this was untrue as regards Sir William Robertson." Mr Lloyd George interposed: I thought that the Government had then met all purely constitutional difficulties, and that there was nothing else left. It was only afterwards that I found that' Sir "William Robertson regarded tho matter differently. Mr Asquith: Is it not a fact that Sir William Robertson intimated on Monday, February lltli, that he could not possibly assent to the proposal ? Mr Lloyd George: No. Mr Asquith: And is it not a fact that Sir Henry Wilson had already been sent for to succeed him? Mr Lloyd George: The proposal was only mado on tho Saturday, when Sir Douglas Jlaig cams over. It surprised me when resistance, developed on tho ground of policy. Mr Asquith pointed out that the United States was refraining from political' participation, though its military representatives were participating in the Council. "Wliilo schcmes aro aimed at securing unity of control among tho Allies," said Mr Asquith, "wo arc near sacrificing unity «f control in the British Army. This is a question of military efficiency, concerning which soldiers aro better judges thau politicians. Tho Government now has taken the responsibility of disregarding tho greatest strategic and technical authorities. There is somo disquiet in the public mind owing to the forced retirements of Admiral Lord Jellicoo and Sir William Robertson, which were preceded by a virulent, unscrupulous Press campaign. It is scarcely adequate compensation I that Lord Dorby remains at Whitehall, ' and Lord Boaverbrook has been cnj trusted with the direction of propa- i ganda." •AMERICAN PRESS COMMENT. (Australian and 2C.Z. Cable Association.) (Received February 21st, 1.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, February 19. The '"New York Times" states: — "Mr Lloyd George's explanation entitles him to tho Parliament's and the country's confidence. The overthrow of his Ministry would be regarded with apprehension in America, where he has won our confidence, bccaus e of his intellectual force, power of organisation, and his definite war policy." TI-IE NEED FOR UNITY. (By Cab!o.—Press Association.—Copyrig-ht.) (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) j NEW YOl'lv, February 19. j The "New York Times" expresses a i hoDC that England's political battle j will eoon end. It says:— ! "The enemy must b? gloating over i this internal strife. England badly ; needs unity in her home councils." The cabl© newg in tils issuo accredited to "The Times" has aapeared in that journal, but only where expressly stated ia such sews the editorial opinion of "Ihr Times."

ENGINEERS REJECT MAN-POWER PROPOSALS. Telegrams.) (Receive-] February 20th. 0.0 LONDON. February 19. The Amalgamated Society of Engineers rejected the Government's manpower proposals by 121.017 to _7,!70 votes.