MR. LLOYD GEORGE AND THE WAR COUNCIL

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 132, 21 February 1918, Page 5

MR. LLOYD GEORGE AND THE WAR COUNCIL

THE RESIGNATION OF SIR WILLIAM ROBERTSON

MR. ASQUITH SATISFIED BUT CRITICAL

By Telegrftuli-Piese Aesooiation-Copirißht

London, February IP. Mr. Lloyd George, speaking in the House of Commons, admitted that the Versailles War Council possesses executive powers. (Owing to telegraph line interruptions the remainder of the Prime Minister's speech has not arrived.)

(Rec. February 21, 1.40 a.m.) London, Fobruary 20.

The House of Commons was crowded to liear Mr. Lloyd George's statement on the Versailles Council and tho Robertson incident. The Prime Minister followed his notes closely. The House generally seemed to accept his vindication of the Versailles changes. Mr. Asquith's opening phrases showed no intention of moving a vote of no-confidence. Mr. Austen Chamberlain heartily approved of Mr. Lloyd George's statement, though tho rest of the debate was sharply critical, particularly,- in connection with the Northcliff© an'd other newspaper attacks on Lord Jollicoe and Sir William Robertson. ' ■' .

Mr. Asquith's Comment,

(Rec. February 20, 10.10 p.m)

- • ' London, February 19. Mr. Asquith paid a tribute to Sir William Robertson's great example. He' could not help wishing that Mr. Lloyd George's speech had boon made a wt-ek ago, when the Premier refused to define the functions of the .Versailles Council. "For asking for this information," said Mr. Asquith, "I was assailod aa pacifist, even a 8010 in dißguidt;. Such was tho fashion with sonio important and widely-circulated newspapers now conducted under the auspices of those who since last week have'Sbecome the custodians of our propaganda. ■ I understood last week that the changes at Versailles had tlie full assent and approval of all Governments and military advisers. 1 now know that this was not true as regards Sir "William Robertson." Mr. Lloyd George interposed: I thought tho Government had then met all the purely constitutional difficulties, and that there was nothing elso left. Only afterwards 1 found that Sir William Robertson regarded the matter differently. Mr. Asquith: Is it not a fact that Sir William Robertson intimated on Monday, February 11, that he could not possibly assent to the proposal? Mr. Lloyd George: No. Mr. Asquith continued: And is it not a fact that Sir Henry Wilson liad already been sent for to succeed him? Mr. Lloyd George: The proposal was only made on Saturday, when Sir Douglas Haig came 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 her military representatives were taking part in the Council. While the schemes aimed at securing unity of control among the Allies, we were near to sacrificing unity of control in the British Army. This is a question of military efficiency on which the soldiers are better judges than the politicians. "The Government has now taken the responsibility of disregarding the greatest strategic and technical authorities. There is some disquiet in the public mind owing to' the forced retirement of Lord Jellicoe. Sir William Robertson's resignation was preceded by a virulent and unscrupulous Press campaign. It is scarcely adequate compensation that' Lord Derby will remain at the War Office.- '" , A similar debate took place in tho House of Lords, when Viscount Curzon said: "Sir Douglas Haig is still in full control of his own troops. The only difference is that the Supreme War Council will have certaiu troops at their disposal which they could add to Haig's or send elsewhere, according to the needs of the moment. "—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SIR HENRY WILSON'S SUCCESSOR AT VERSAILLES,

London, February 19. Sir Henry Rawlinson, has been appointed British representative at Versailles, in succession to Sir Henry 'Wilson.—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn. [Major-General Sir Henry Seymour Rawlinson was A.D.C. to Sir Frederick Roberts, Oommander-in-Ohief in India in 1887. He served in tho Soudan campaign as D.A.A.G. to Lord Kitchener, and also in the South African War. Hβ was also on active service in, the present war, in 1914-15, was twice mentioned in dispatches, and was.promoted Major-General.]

OPINION IN AMERICA "ENEMY MUST BE GLOATING OVER US!" I New York, February 19. The New York "Times," in an editorial, expresses the hope tliat the political battle in England will soon end. The enemy must be gloating over this internal strife. England badly needs unity on her home councils. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Roc. February 21, 1.40 a.m.) New York-, February 20. The New York "Times" states that Mr. Lloyd George's explanation entitles him to Parliament's and thq country's confidence. The overthrow of the Ministry would be regarded with apprehension in "Ho has won our confidence because of his intellectual force, his power of organisation, and his definite war policy."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.