, 1917-11-22
Lloyd George Stirs Up Storm by
Telling Frankly About Blum
derS of Allies.
UNIFIED CONTROL IS ISSUE
clemenceau Succeeds Painleve az
French Premier-ItaIy Holding In
vaders Along the Piave-Ker-
ensky Supporters Battle
Bolshevikists in Rus
sia-America's La
Dor Troubles.
BY EDWARD w. PIckARp.


Centralized, unified control of the
grand strategy of the allies was the
burning question of last week, and
Premier L~loyd-George became the
storm center of discussion. Following
the establishment of the inter-allied
war council by the British, French and
Italian governments and English par.
liamentary and press criticism there
of, Mr.. Lloyd-George, >then in Paris,
delivered what he himself called a
''brutally frank" speech admitting that
the allies had repeatedly made 'incred-
ible blunders" in Serbia, Roumania,
Italy and elsewhere. These he at
tributed in the main to lack of united
action, and declared that while the
war has beer prolonged by particular
ism, 1t will be shortened by solidarity.
This aroused a storm of adverse
comment and brought the premier face
to face with the most serious political
crisis that has confronted him Even
Mr.. Asquith Joined his critics, and
Lloyd-George hastened home to reply
to them. The opposition assumed the
war council plan meant the retirement
of Haig and Robertson and the con-
troll Of military operations by civilians.
The people as a whole seemed to sup
port the premier, and there was a be-
lief that he would win he struggle.
The ~war-council scheme is still in
complete fl that the United States is
not yet included, but 1t is hoped that
President Wilson and his administra-
ton will recognize it's wisdom and join
with the others in evolving and carry
ing out a plan of grand strategy.
Lord Northcliffe was offered the ad-
ministration of the new air ministry
by Lloyd George, but declined. In his
letter of ~declination he spoke of the
fervor and enthusiasm with which the
United States and Canada proceed
with their war preparations, compar-
ing this with the "wabbly" methods
in England. He warned the premier
that unless there was swift improve
ment In Great Britain, the United
States would rightly take into its own
hands the entire management of a
great part of the war, refusing to 'sac-
rilce its blood and treasure to the In
competent handling of the affairs of
Europe"
PRinleve's Cabinet Falls.
France also was stirred by the uni
ncntion measure and partly as a re-
suit the tottering ministry headed by
Premier Palnleve toppled over. It's
fall, however, was more especially due
to the controversy over "Boloism." the
German propaganda that has infested
France as well as the United States,
Russia and, 1t now appears, Italy MS
well.
No tears were wasted over the fate
of the Painleve cabinet, hut there be-
gan Il great scrambling to find the
strong leader who, it was admitted,
must be discovered. C~lemenceau, the
"Tiger," n former premier, was call
ed on Thursday TO form a new minis
try n accepted the mission. He is
known as an exponent of the big stick,
is one of the most forceful figures in
French public life and was the man
who started the campaign against the
German propaganda in France. His
chief obstacle to success will be the
opposition of the socialists, who hate
him because of the drastic methods he
employed in dealing with labor trou-
bles when he was premier about ten
years ago.
Having fallen hack to the west bank