New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-15
Lloyd George Wins
Decisive Victory and
Will Be Dictator
TSpeciol Correspondence

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LONDON, Nov. 14.--Lloyd George
will be dictator; he will not be dropped.
In the pinch Asquith failed and the
Premier has won a decisive victory. A
lot of British precedents have gone by
the board under the attack Of the lit
tie Welsh Premier, who is as skilful at
the art of defence as he is clever at
driving home blow when it will do
the most damage.
In the House Of Commons this even
ing Lloyd George assumed the air Of a
fighter who knew he had won. His
every gesture, his every sentence
showed his complete confidence in his
position. Before his speech he chatted
with Bonar Law and Balfour, and gave
Parliament the impression that he was
entirely at peace with his official fam
lily. Then he outlined his scheme
which makes him practical dictator OF
the fortunes Of Britain, France ard
Italy-for a statesman of his person-
atty is bound to dominate any confer
ence or council of which he is men,
Der.
Asquith's opening came when Lloyd
George suggested debate on Monday
next. That was the time when Lloyd
Georges opponents and his supporters
thought that AsQuith would move for
an immediate discussion. because much
NAV happen over the weekend in these
disiointed times. But Asquith said
nothing. As titular leader of the OPP
position he refused 70 accept the re-
sponsibility of overthrowing the man
whom he had supplanted just short
year back.
Wins the Decision
By delaying discussion Lloyd George
has won a point which gives him the
decision. All the preliminary work
was done in France when Lloyd George
signed an agreement with the Italian
and French representatives binding
their countries to the scheme for an
inter-Allied war council. With this
agreement signed and sealed and in his
pocket Lloyd George could rest fairly
certain that any opponents Of the pro-
ject would hesitate to wreck a scheme
which had the endorsement Of two AL
lied countries.
understand the whole plan had the
complete Endorsement Of the French
General staff before it came up for
ratification. AS the French govern
ment has been dominated for some
time by the General Staff and has lived
only through the latter's support, 1t
makes little difference now that the
French Cabinet has fallen.
Early to-day it became apparent that
Lloyd George had broken much Of the
opposition over night. The Northclihe
organs supported him with various de-
grees of warmness. "The Daily Mail
came into line by raising the cry OF
the old gang, while "The Times and
Colonel Repington, its military CORE
spondent, supported the plan in prlnci-
pie, but urged that the British Cen
eral Staff must get full consideration
rather a compromise.
Reflection on British Attacked
All the papers and people attacked
the Premier's reflections on British
strategy and British performance in
the field, but only the high Tory
journals, such as "The Morning Post I
and "The Globe" persisted in their
vehement protests against even the
principle involved.
Lloyd George had alienated num-
Der Of supporters, but unquestlonaol;y,
he has gained new lIleHuS VIM ""
back him, because he represents the
civilian side as opposed to the purely
military attitude. The important thing
to understand is that Lloyd George has
won a fight which is infinitely greater
than any question of individual lead
ership.
He has smashed traditions. He has
put himself in a position of supreme
command such as no British Premier
has hitherto enjoyed. For nearly year
he worsed without a policy. or rather
he was unable to enforce policy. To-
dav he is definitely committed to line
of action, and the war will almost
surely take a straighter course, with
less compromise and less wabbling.
Profound changes have taken place
They are so farreaching that 1t Is i'm
possible to forecast the result, but
henceforth the Western Allies should
coordinate their efforts and share
their successes and failures, their food
supplies and munitions.