Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-22
By J. l.. CALVIN.
Editor OF the Pail Mall Gauett.

| By j. L.. GAItVIN,
Editor OF the Pail MnIl Gazette.
| LONDON, May Give refrained, In
| the public interest, from writing yes
what this mornings newspapers sug-
gest. In the Interval they have altered
still moro and for the worse. Astound-
ing newspaper attacks upon Lord
Kitchener have created an overwhelm-
ing sentiment Of public Indignation.
ana have made the Secretary of War,
who seemed weaker on Wednesday,,
more powerful and popular than ever
to-day. There is no mistake about
that
NO matter how circumstantial the
suggestion may seem at the moment,
IL must not be assumed that Sir John
French Is in any completely, direct or
indirect. with these attacks on his chief
The scandal, however, must be probed
to the bottom, and certain steps have
been taken TO do il. 1t seems to have
been forgotten that Lord Kitchener is
still Minister OF War, with full powers
(has IT been remembered how wide
they are?) belonging to that office. In
other words. Lord Kitchener. under the
King, is head OF the army at home
and abroad.
Coming concurrently with other
things. fundamental issues OF duty and
discipline in connection with both
be clearlye settled in such a fashion
that the principles OF discipline and
duty involved shall never be ques-
toned again. We cannot have moral
anarchy in this nation in time of war,
or any attempt to play fast and loose
with responsibility.
OPINIONS OF LORD ROBERTS
NOT FULLY QUOTED
The opinions OF Lord Roberts are
IN f.I hi e ,tv,ex h,,t tl,1
fully quoted. We are in possession
of another opinion which was held by
Lord Roberts. The country is con-
fronted by a political situation OF far
greater difficulty and danger than was
expected last Tuesday. To ind the
right solution now Will require greater
craftsmanship and good judgment, as
well as thorough courage and decision.
We said Wednesday that the alterna :
tive was coalition or chaos. Now. un-
less we arc very careful We shall have
both coalition and chaos There is no
object in coalition. it could only com
promise the statesmen forming part
OF It, unless II is to mean definite in
crease In both executive efficiency and
national union. Two things. two
things only. are wanted on the military
side.
First. that the provision Of war ma
terial. which is vast industrial affair.
Second, that at least the whole male
population Of this country between
eighteen and thirty-hve-and why not
the women, too?-shall be registered to
be called upon as needed. The issue OF
whether compulsory use should or
should not be made OF this register is
quite secondary.
Lloyd George ought TO be made Min
lister OF Munitions. or Of War Supplies,
or whatever you like to call it. AS a
national register required even more
for industrial than for fighting pur-
poses. Lloyd George ought TO have the
responsibility for making the registry.
1t then could be placed at Lord kitch-
cncr's disposal and would supply him
with invaluable particulars. 1t would
very much facilitate his task. This is
the way to get on without the double
work of raising men and providing mu-
nitions. Each part of the work In this
war is big enough for a giant.
THEY COULD NOT RUN
IN DOUBLE HARNESS
The idea that Lloyd George might
become n sort Of Joint War Secre
tary is quite idle. Two such different
stcppcrs as he and Lord Kitchener
never could run in double harness. Both
on Tuesday and Wednesday we pointed
out that the department dealing with
munitions and registration would have
to be a separate department.: otherwise
Lloyd George might remain Chancellor
OF the EXchequer-a very great ONCE.
and one not TO be laid down offhand.
The work of this office for the next few
critical months will be comparatively
light, and the chancellor could direct
the output of war material until the
full industrial organization and the
democratic energy OF the country are
set going for war purposes.
:, better solution. in our Judgment.
would be that Lloyd George should be
responsible for war material and ma
tional registration. as head OF new
department imperatively demanded by
the unique requirements of the war.
In any case the future of this coun-
try depends very much indeed upon
Lloyd George and Lord Kitchener
working together. What is wanted is
that the War Secretary who has
achieved in the nine months since his
appointment the prodigious feat Of
raising some 100000 men, should de-
vote his attention to browning his
own historic work by completing the
levy and training OF the new armies.
There is no one who can really re-
place him. That is made quite clear
by the evidence of public feeling to-
day.
TAKE COMMAND At FRONT
IS ONLY ALTERNATIVE
The only practical alternative now
is that he should take command at the
front. We think ii better he should
remain at home. devoting his atten-
ton to the raising and training Of