New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-18
Russia's DETECTION Will
Make Big Change in War
Policy of England
Plan New Campaign
Politicians Will Issue Orders
Hereafter and Soldiers Will
Obey Them
By Arthur S. Draper

LONDON, Dee. H. Tho last weeks
Of 1917 arc ushcring in new order in
British war management. Instead Of
the soldiers leading and the politicians
forming their own policy accordingly
Lloyd George intends TO be dictator J.
/. Garvin expresses the idea in The
Observer as follows:
at is for cabinets 20 order and sol
diers 70 obey"
Substitute Lloyd George for the word
cabinets and the sentence contains a
world Of meaning.
France and Italy arc dependent on
Britain TO great extent for food and
military support, and in the next six
months, while America continues her
work Of preparation, they will lean
moro and more heavily on Britain. Be
fore the war the British army and navy
were exceedingly close corporations,
with powerful civilian backing. All
through the war the cry has been:
Don't let the politicians interfere with
the soldiers and sailors and so the
latter have continued to enjoy great ia
dependence and latitude.
Russia Has Brought Change
Russia has changed a lot Of things,
including. incidentally. the relative po-
sitions Of soldiers. sailors and politi-
clans. Since the Battle Of the Somme
the Entente Allies have held the initia-
tive, Germany being constantly on the
defensive. Now Il is admitted that the
enemy is in a position TO regain the
initiative
Haig has won several striking sue
cesses in 1917, but none Of decisive
character. Germany is no longer sur
rounded by an iron ring. The Allies
blockade of the Central Powers will be
broken the moment the latter conclude
a separate peace with Russia.
Thus. Premier Lloyd George is in a
position closely approximatinS that at
the outbreak Of the war. tie must
begin a fresh campaign Though advo-
Gates of a strong policy insist Lloyd
George is the only man 10 I'll the
shoes of a dictator al this stage. they
are far from satisfied with his political
position. even in his own country.
On this point Garvin writes:
Lloyd Georges power and that OF
the government would be intellectually
increased by national verdict i'm their
favor At the polls. At present the
House Of Commons is quite obsolete.
IL possesses no vital constitutional life.
IL can no longer give sufficient founda-
tion for any ministry In these cir
cumstances even Lloyd Georges great
est work m war direction and his
greatest speeches fail 20 consolidate
his political basis as they would if the
Commons majority were new and in
his favor.
This is a time when nothing is more
necessary than 20 relieve the Premier's
mind of all minor political pTeoccupa-
tions and TO strengthen him in every
way for dealing with the huge and
fateful business on his hands. We say
that this is not satisfactory. and that
one way or another the country must
provide remedy for it,
Minister Makes Threats
Several Of Lloyd Georges ministers
have made threats Of a general cleo
tion recently, when their policies have
been subject 10 criticism The threat
lost every shred OF fear il contained
some months back and many labor
leaders say they hope il will be carried .
out.
The test Of LLOYD Georges dictator
ship is likely 10 come when the man.
power question is raised in the House
Of Commons. An the Conservative
papers have been arguing strongly
lately for CONSUMPTION in Ireland.
where there are 100000 eligible fight
ing men. The Irish party leaders have
preserved an Ominous silence. and
something is sure TO break when off
cisl utterance is given on this scheme.
II IT should be abandoned then, all the
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