AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1918, Page 5

AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT.

VERSAILLES REPRESENTATIVE NOT , APPOINTED. I Aus. and N.Z, Cable Assoc, and Reuter Received Feb. IS, 1- 35 a.m. Loudon, Feb. 18. The Press Bureau states thai the extension of the functions of the permanent military representative, decided on at the last meeting of the War Council at Versailles, necessitated the limitation of the, special powers hitherto exercised by the Chief of the Imperial General Staff. The Government therefore thought it right to offer General Robertson the choice of becoming the British military representative of the War Council at Versailles or\pf continuing to be Chief of the General Staff under the new conditions. General Robertson, for reasons which the Prime Minister will explain to the House of Commons early next week, was tumble to accept either position. The Government has regretfully accepted General Robertson's resignation, and General Sir Henry Wilson has accepted the position of Chief of the Staff. The appointment of the British representative at Versailles .will be announced shortly, i GENERAL ROBERTSON'S SUCCESSOR Received Feb. 17, 5.30 p.m. New York, Feb. 16. London advices state that Gen. Robe t?on has resigned and that General Wilson succeeds him.