HAIG’S BATTLE WITH L.G.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20231, 15 February 1934, Page 1

HAIG’S BATTLE WITH L.G.

Disclosures in Diary of War Leader. LONDON, February 5. The “ Sunday Dispatch ” says that Mr A. Duff Cooper obtained his information about Mr Lloyd George’s distrust of the late Field-Marshal Earl

Haig—as disclosed in Mr Cooper’s biography of Haig—from the war leader’s diary. This diary has hitherto been closely guarded from inspection by other than members of the Haig family. The diaries reveal the struggle which resulted from Haig’s objections to politicians’ ference, and the manner in which Haig’s supporters, assisted by a private intelligence system in England and France, counteracted the enmity against him in high places. Haig’s ill-feeling

was increased by George’s “victory speech,” which gave the whole credit for victory to Foch. Surprisingly, the diaries disclose that Mr Lloyd George deposed Haig and put him under the orders of Nivelle, whose offensive in 1917 caused the French mutinies, of which Haig wrote graphically. The diaries also show that the late Earl Birkenhead was sent home from France because there was no job for him in France. Consequently, he bore a grudge. When Haig was elevated to the Peerage, Lord Birkenhead, who was then Lord High Chancellor, whispered. “ You can’t turn me out of this.” In flis book, Mr Cooper, who is Financial Secretary to the Treasury, s ays that Mr Lloyd George, when Prime Minister during the war, made a mistake in distrusting Lord Haig and in lacking the courage to dismiss him. “ Mr Lloyd George did his utmost to undermine Lord Ilaig with his fellowcountrymen and with the Allies, which was unpardonale,” he says. That was why the name “ politician ” stunk in the nostrils of the Army.