British High Command.

Taihape Daily Times, 18 February 1918, Page 5

British High Command.

SIR WILLIAM ROBERTSON'S RETIREMENT. GENERALS REVOLT AGAINST WAR OFFICE. Received 10.30. LONDON, Feb 17. The Sunday Times, in an interview with -Sir William Robertson, indicates he was dismissed. He said: "I have not resigned, and can only say I will not accept either position." The Sunday Times' political correspondent undertakes to state that General Plumer has declined to succeed Sir William Robertson and adds: "I anticipate other generals will follow Sir W. Robertson into retirement; in fact the generals have revoltea against the Cabinet. The gravity of their action canont be over-estimat-ed." The correspondent blames Lord Derby's spineless control of the War Office; and hints "that Lord Derby win resign. He points out that he (Lora Derby) had an audience with the King on Saturday. The Observer-hopes SirW. Robertson's retirement will be only temporary, and adds the resignation clears the air on the eve of battle, removing the risk of friction between oiu*elves and our allies' correspondents. } < Other newspapers emphasise the political side of the situation, and regard the reconstruction of the Cabinet as unlikely, pointing out the. suggested . alternatives to Lloyd George do not command the confidence at Home or abroad; but the. Government's position is critical. The Premier's speech of explanation is eagerly awaited.

Government newspapers challenge Mr. Asquith to test the House with a no-confidence motion, declaring it will result in a four-fold Ministerial majority. ■" i HIS RESIGNATION .ANNOUNCED. LONDON, February 16. Mr. Lloyd George unexpectedly returned from the country and visited Buckingham Palace. He remained an hour with the King. Rumours of another crisis culminated in the Press Bureau announcement of Sir William Robertson's Resignation^