LORD DERBY SUPPORTS THE SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 133, 22 February 1918, Page 5

LORD DERBY SUPPORTS THE SCHEME

London, February 19. Speaking in the House of Lords, Lord Derby strongly supported the Versailles Conference, which had already achieved excellent results. He said he ha'd done his utmost to induce Sir William Robertson to accept tho Versailles scheme, and had tendered bis own resignation, but Mr. Lloyd George had asked him to remain.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

HAIG'S CONTROL UNDISTURBED.

(R«c. February 21, 8 p.m.)

London, February 20. In the House of Lords, Viscount Curzon Btated that Sir Douglas Haig remained in absolute control of his troops.—Reutcr.

PUBLIC OPINION ON THE SPEECH

THE PREMIER AND THE PRESS,

_ . ', London, Februarv 20. The Unionist War Committee met privately and endorsed the Government s policy., It heartily concurred with Mr. Austen Chamberlain's declaration that the Government must sever its connection with Press influence and itself govern. Strong representations to this effect were made to Mr. Lloyd George privately by his most ardent Unionist • supporters. Mr. Chamberlain said that half of Mr. Lloyd George's troubles arose from tho fact that tho Government was associated with certain newspaper proprietors, and had thereby surrounded itself with suspicion and distrust.

The ''Daily Telegraph" says that the Parliamentary svmtoms of a crisis have vanished.'

The "Morning Post" says it does not believe the public yet realiso tho position in the Army. "This is not surprising, because any newspaper which attempted to explain it would be treated as Ahab treated the Miciaus. But may not tho public look to tho House of Commons for tho truth? We have swapped horses in tho biggest crisis of the war, when the stream was deepest-and tho night darkest." A "Punch" cartoon represents Mr. Punch saying to John Bull: "Don't worry about Russia. What wo have got to worry hbout is this cursed back•stairs intrigue in Press and; Parliament."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn