HOUSE ACCEPTS PREMIER'S VINDICATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 45, 21 February 1918, Page 5

HOUSE ACCEPTS PREMIER'S VINDICATION.

MOBILE FORCE UNDER CONTROL OF SUPREME COMMAND.

SIP 5 ' ■,■:■-.: LONDON, February 20. "ERR* Following Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. Aequith paid a'tribute to Sir William Robertson's great example. He said he could not help wishing that Mr. Lloyd George's speech had been made a week ago, when the Prime Minister refused to define the functions of the Versailles Council, "lor askiug for this information," said Mr. Asquith, "I was assailed as a pacifist, even as a 8010 in disguise." Such was the fashion in which some important and widelycirfculatcd newspapers were now conducted under the auspices of those who since last week had become the custodians of propaganda.

Mr. Asquith said it wae understood last week that the changes at Versailles had the full assent and approval of all the Government's military advisers. They now knew this was untrue, so far as Sir William Robertson vac concerned. . "" Mr. Lloyd George interposed:—="l thought the Government had then met all the purely, constitutional difficulties, and that there was nothing else left. Jt was only afterwards that 1 found 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 aesent to the proposal? Mr. Lloyd George: Xo. Mr. Asquith continued: 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 made on Saturday, ■when Sir Douglas Ilaig came over. It surprised mc when resistance developed on the ground of policy.

Mr. Asquith pointed out that the United States was Tefraining from political participation in the War Council, though American military representatives were taking part in the Council.

"While the scheme aimed at securing unity of control among the Allies," Mr. Asquith continued, "we are near to sacrificing unity of control in the British Army." This question of military efficiency was one upon which soldiers were better judges than politicians. The Government had now taken the responsibility of disregarding the greatest serategic and technical authorities. There was some disquiet in the public mind owing to the forced retirement of S-ir John Jellicoe and Sir AVilliam Robertson, preceded by a virulent and unscrupulous Press campaign. It was scarcely adequate compensation that Lord Derby remained at Whitehall and Lord Beavcrbrook was entrusted with propaganda.

During , his speech Mr. Lloyd George followed his notes closely. The Xlouse seemed generally to accept his vindication of the Versailles changes. Mr. Asquith's opening phrases showed that he had no intention of moving a vote of no confidence. Mr. Austen Chamberlain heartily approved Mr. Lloyd. George's statement, though the rest of the debate was sharply critical, particularly in connection with the attacks by the Xorthcliffe and other newspapers upon Admiral Jellicoe and General liobertsou. A similar debate took place in the House 01 Lords. Karl Curzon said Sir Douglas Maig still had full control of his own troops. The only difference was that the Supreme Council would have certain troops at its disposal which it could add to the armies under Sir Douglas Haig, or send elsewhere, according to the needs of the moment. The Xew York "Times" states that Mr. Lloyd George's explanation entitles him to the confidence of Parliament and the country. The overthrow of hia Ministry would be regarded with apprehension in America. "He has won our confidence," it adds, "because of his intellectual force and power of organisation and of his definite wai policy."—(A. and K.Z. Cable.)

CRISIS BELIEVED TO BE NOW OVER

PREMIER URGES TO DISSOCIATE HIMSELF FROM PRESS,

(Received 8.55 a.m.) I.ONDOX, February 20. In the House of Lords, Earl Derby, Minister for War, strongly supported the Versailles Conference, which had already achieved excellent results. He h;id done bis utmost to induce General Robertson to accept the Versailles scheme. Lord Derby added that he tendered his own resignation, but Mr. Lloyd George asked him to remain. The "Morning Post" does not believe that the public yet realises the Army's position. This is not surprising, because any newspaper attempting to explain it would be treated as Ahab treated the Micinns, but it asks, '"May not the public look to the House of Commons for the trtith! We have swapped horses in the biggest crisis of the war when the stream was deepest and thu night darkest."

The '"Daily Telegraph V Parliamentary correspondent states that nymptoms of the crisis have vanished. The Unionist War Committee met private] y, endorsed the Government's policy, and heartily concurred with Mr. Austen Chamberlain's declaration that the Government must sever connection with Press influence and themselves govern the country. Strong representations to this effect have been made to Mr. Lloyd George privately by his most ardent Unionist supporters. Mr. Chamberlain said that half Mr. Lloyd George's troubles arose from the fact that the Government was associated with certain newspaper proprietors, thereby surrounding themselves with suspicion and distrust.— (A. and X.Z. Cable.)