New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-16
FrenCh's First Aid
Named to Take
His Place.
ASQUiTH DENIES
PARIS COERCION
Hints at More Changes
Field Marshal Made
A ViSCOunt.
By Css. 20 n. Tribune ]

hOhOOii, Dc'' A''-i i'lN Ahaa siiai
Sir John French has been relieved
Of the command Of the British
forces in France and Flanders. His
successor is General Sir Douglas
Haig, who has been the leader of the
First Army in the west since the
expeditionary force landed, and has
been mentioned repeatedly in the
dispatches of his chief, whose place
ne now takes.
Official circles have expected the
change for some time, and an
nouncement was made OF the trans
fer in the House Of Commons yes
terday. Premier Asquith hinted
that other changes were contem-
plated. Although the Duke of Con
naught had been mentioned as a
possible choice in Sir John Frer.h's
place, the appointment Of Gereral
Haig, it is said, was anticipated ia
the best informed quarters.
An official statement issued las.
night says that Sir John French had
been relieved at his own request
The field marshal has been ap-
pointed commander in chief of the
armies in the United Kingdom, and
in recognition of his sixteen months
services at The front has been Gre
ated viscount of the United King
dom.
Created a Yiscount.
The War Offices announcement
reads as follows: General Sir
Douglas Ha;g has been appointed to
succeed Field Marshal Sir John
French in command of the armies
in France and Flanders.
"Since the commencement Of the
war, during over sixteen months Of
severe and incessant strain, Field
Marshal French has most ably COM
manded our armies in France and
Flanders, and he has now, at his
own instance, relinquished that com,
mand.
"His Majesty's government, with
full appreciation of and gratitude
for the conspicuous services which
Field Marshal French has rendered
TO his country at the front, have,
with the Kings approval, requested
him to accept the appointment Of
field marshal commanding in chief
the troops stationed in the United
Kingdom, and Field Marshal French
has accepted that appointment.
"The King has been pleased to
confer upon Sir John French the
dignity of Viscount of the United
Kingdom"
Change Long Hinted.
That there might be a change in
the supreme British command on the
Western front had been limited for
some time. These hints increased
with the recent appointment Of Gen.
eral Joffre as commander in chief Of
the French army.
That the elevation Of General
Joffre had TO bearing on the substi-
tuition Of General Haig for Field
Marshal French, however, was an
nounced to-day in the House of Com
mons by Premier Asquith.
Last Monday Sir Edward Andrew
Cornwall asked the government dur
ing the session Of the House for in
formation as to whether General
Joffre's appointment would necessi-
tate any important changes In the
higher commands Of the British
force. The Premier at that time de-
clined TO make answer. To-day, how
ever, he brought up the matter by
saying:
Some changes are in the course
of being made and will be announced
almost Immediately. They have no
connection of any kind with the
changes made by the French govern.
ment with regard to General Joffre's
functions"
French Much Censured.
But rumors still persist here that
Joffre forced the British action. For
months General French has been
criticised. both in official circles
here and openly in Parliament, for
his conduct Of the campaign on the
Western front. The defeat at Neuve
Chapellc caused several denuncia-