The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-03-26
WITH THE EDITORS
VERSAILLES AND AFTER


afternoon does something to clear the air. At any
rate it is the first approach to plain statement
about the organization Gas distinguished from the
strategic plans laid down by the Versailles Coun-
Gil. The prime minister was probably right when
he told the house of commons that strategic plans
and organization of personnel in this particular
closely interviewer. It was impossible no doubt to
tell the whole truth without revealing dispositions
which the allies had decided to conceal, while the
task of telling part of the truth was obviously rem
dered all the more difficult by personal arrange
ments which at that time were still undecided But
his speech failed to carry complete conviction and
tn result has been a storm of exaggeration and
political intrigue over what seems at bottom to
| have been the most natural and comnon-sense ar
rangement further result-whether of the
Versailles decisions or of the exaggerated view OF
/ them-has now apparently followed in the with
drawal of Sir William Robertson. 1t is that fact
we are afraid which is likely to bulk largest in
public discussion, for dispute over Sir William
Robertsons precise position has always been far
less military than social and political. Neverthe-
less the personal question, as we have always
maintained, is relatively minor matter. The i'm
portance of choosing this or that distinguished SOL
der for particular piece of work is almost trifle
by comparison with that Of constituting an effec
tive military alliance at the most critical stage of
the war. 1t Is a true perspective, therefore,, and
not merely the desire to minimize an unfortunate
personal question, which places in the foreground
| the principles and not the individuals concerned
These principles are gradually emerging into
very simple story. A fortnight ago the great
allied council at Versailles to certain unani
nous decisions about the common conduct of oper-
atoms on the western front. There was no differ
ence of opinion whatever about the steps to be
taken Statesmen and soldiers were all in complete
agreement. Nor, apparently, was there any dit
ference of opinion about the machinery required
for carrying out the agreed decisions The secrecy
imposed on this point has not been too carefully
observed but there is secret at all events about
the grant of certain executive powers, for defi-
mite limited purpose to the small board of allied
officers already in constant session at Versailles
No objection was taken to these powers by any
statesman or soldier attending the council. The
one and only point in dispute the official state
ment now reveals, is the filling of the newly de-
! fined position at Versailles and the consequential
Encouragement of war office duties in London. In
order to fulfil their share of the joint arrangement
the government found on their return that it was
necessary to recall special order in council which
for certain temporary reasons conferred unlimited
and quite illogical powers on the chief of the gen
eral staff. It was desirable reform in any case
for the division of strategy from administration is
one of the first principles of war. 1t became not
only desirable but inevitable when executive pow
ers, however limited were to be conferred on the
British member Of an allied board in France The
government, we gather, were determined not to
fail their allies, but they were also anxious to
prove in the most convincing way that their action
bore no relation to any personal claim. They there
fore invited Sir William Robertson the chief of the
general staff in London, to accept the Versailles
post himself if he should regard it in the circum-
stances as more Immediately important. He has
now finally declined that invitation, and he has
also declined to remain at the war office under the
refonne1 conditionk Sd HenW VtlsY, our mill
ltaxy representative at Versailles, haa|bccordingy
tben transferred to London as chief 81 the general
stiff, while the Versailles post remains to be filled
4ru full explanation Of these events is promised,
II ii obviously overdue. is equally necessary
that It should ke awaited without prejudice.
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