Las Vegas optic., 1914-03-27
OFFICERS ARE STILL OUT.
DESPITE REQUEST OF THE cA5I-
NET THEY REFUSE TO RE-
TURN TO ARMY
SIR JOHN FRENCH PRESENT
HE ATTENDS TWO MEETINGS or
THE MINISTER'S DESPITE
RESIGNATION

London, March 27.-Field Marshal
Sir John French and Adiutant General
Sir John Ewart stood firmly to their
designations today in spite Of the ef-
forts Of the king and the cabinet min
listers to induce them to retain their
posts as the working heads Of the
British army.
After long cabinet meeting Pre-
mier Asquith announced to the house
of commons that neither the chief Of
the general staff nor the adjutant
general would give way
Premier AsQuith reached the house
Of commons straigst from the sec
ond Of two cobinet meetings held to-
day, both Of which were attended by
the chief Of the general staff, Field
Marshal Sir John French. The pre-
mier said the question involved great
complexity and difficulty and seemed
to the government to require very full
consideration. A partial for provis-
ional statement would be unsatisfac-
tory. he said
Field Marshal Sir Iohn French,
wa 3
head Of the British army, was called
into the meeting Of the cabinet min
listers today to discuss his position
with them.
The session OF the cabinet contin-
ued three hours. It was said that
the ministers found difficulty in re-
pairing the rift in the army organi-
zation caused by the blow given to it
lby the designations of Sir John French
and Lieutenant General Sir John
| Spencer Ewart. adjutant general to
the forces.
No solution Of the difficulty con-
fronting the British government was
reached at the cabinet council this
morning, and it was announced that
another meeting Of the ministers
would discuss the matter before Pre-
mier Asquith appeared in the house
Of commons. The lobbies of the house
Of parliament were crowded, and al
kinds Of rumors were in circulation.
He announced the issued Of a new
army order intended to prescribe the
duties both Of the war Office and o
officers on service in contingencies
such as Of Ulster. The order forbid'
supervisors asking officers and sol
diers what they will do in Hypothetical
contingencies and is designed to pre-
vent a repetition of General Sir Az
thur Pagets action. It also prohibit
6fhcers and soldiers from asking TO
assurances, and sets forth the dutiel
Of the army almost in the words Q
the statement, which, when Colone
seelelys amendments had been added
became the crux Of the whole contro
versy.
2 The inclusion OF soldlers Win vln
GERS III the terms Of the order is tn
result Of the attitude taken by tn
labor members Of the debates, and ]
intended as a compromise.
Z The leader Of the opposition DC
I clared the new order to be the resul
Of blunder by the cabinet and b
Colonel seeley. The house Of common
afterwards adjourned for the day.
III his statement the premier said
pThe new order to the army
9 headed discipline 1t has three a
8 ticies, which are as follows:
~1-No officer or soldier shall
e future be questioned by his superio
officers as to what attitude ne vi
d adopt or as to his action in the even
Of bis being required to obey order
dependent on future or hypothetici
contingencies.
2An officer or soldier is forbi'
L den II future to ask for assurances .
I % orders which he may be required
+ fulfill