MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

THE VERCAILLrS COUNCIL. I'tii.ic \ .v: tac\ i;n MK t-.iv. <\J II('C(:1 V i'J I ... .ii:. Ifl Ml p.(u l.uii.iun lon in . In tile Home of Co.inni.i.s. .ill .iM|.nth |m.d a tribute to l.r.A-nu ItolirrtMHi'.-, ;;rcat example lie L-uiild nut Iji>l|> vvisa. ing .Mr. Lloyd George's speech liad been made a week ayo, when tl.e Premier refused to dclim* the Junction.- of the Versailles Council "For asking this information 1 was assailed as a pacifist, even a Jiolo in disguise. Such was the fashion of some of the important and widely cirr-ilated newspapers now conducted under the auspices of those who since last week have become the custodians of propaganda. It wftfl'understood last week that the changes at Veisailles had the full assent ana approval of all the governments' military advisers. 1 now know this is untrue a* regards General Robertson." Mr Lloyd George interposed: "I thought the Govsj-nment had then met all purely constitutional difficulties, and that there was nothing else left. Only afterwards 1 found that General Robertson regarded the matter differently." Mr. Asquith: Is it not a fact that General Robertson intimated oil Monday, tile II th inst., that ho eould not poisibly assent to t.he proposal? Mr. Lloyd George: No. Mr- Asquith continued: Is it not a fact that General Wilson had already been sent for in order to succeed him? . Mr. Lloyd George: The proposal was ori!y. made on Saturday when Sir Douglas Huh* came over. It surprised me when resistance developed on the ground of policy. Mr. ■ Asquith pointed out that the United States was refraining from political participation, though its military representatives were taking part in the council- I Mr. Asquith continued: While ..;e schemes aimed at Rehiring unity of control among the Allies we were near sacrificing unity of control in the British nrniy. This is a question of military efficiency whereon the soldiers are better judges than politicians. Tha 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 Admiral lellicoe and General Robertson, preceded by virulent and unscrupulous press campaigns. It is scarcely adequate compensation that Lord Derby remains at Whitehall and that Lord Beavorbrook is entrusted with the propaganda.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S VINDICATION

OF THE VERSAILLES CHANGES. Received Feb. 21, 1.40 a.m. London, Feb. 20. The House was crowded to hear Mr. Lloyd George's speech. He followed his notes closely. The House seemed generally to accept hig vindication of the Versailles changes. Mr. Asquith's opening phrases showed lie had no intention of moving », vote of no confidence. Mr. Austen Ch&iuisrlain heartily approved Mr. Lloyd George's statement, though the resit of the debate was sharply critical, particularly in connection with tlie'Northcliffe and other newspaper attacks on Admiral Jellicoe and General Robertson. In a similar debate in the House of Lords. Lord Curzon said Sir Douglas Haig had still full control of his own troops. The only difference was that the Supreme Council would have certain troops it their disposal which could add to Sir Douglas Haig*s army or be sent elsewhere according to the needs of the moment.