THE WAR COUNCIL CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 43, 19 February 1918, Page 7

THE WAR COUNCIL CRISIS

RETIREMENT OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF DOES NOT AFFECT COURSE OF WAR (AUSTRAUAN-NEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 17th February. , It is reported that a grave crisis has been precipitated between the Government and. the Generals. It is expected that other officers will follow Sir William Robertson into retirement. There is already a- dispute "as to whether Sir' i- William Bobertson resigned or "was dismissed. Sir William Bobertson denies that he resigned, and says that he refused to accept a reduced position at the War Office. It is recalled that Sir William Robertaon took up the pos.t of Chief of tho Imperial General Staff on condition that he had power to communicate direct with Cabinet and also with the commanders in the field without reference to the Secretary (i.e., Minister) for War. The newspaper* agree .that- hig withdrawal [The cable news in this issue accredited to "The Times" has appeared la that Journal, but only where expressly stated Is such news the , (tutorial opinion of "Tho Times."]

will embarrass the Government, but that it-will not affect the course of the war or the plans of the War Council. They unanimously regret the step, but urge that the ranks should be closed up in vie-vr of the gravity of the situation.