New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-02-20
WILSON CREDITED
WITH UNITY Plan
Believed in Central Control As
+" Adopted at Versailles

Washington, Feb. 20.-Frank ad-
mission by Premier Lloyd George
| that the convincing demand for uni
lied military effort under a single di-
recting body had come from the
| United States confirmed the impress
sion that has prevailed here since the
proposal to send the mission headed
by Colonel House to Europe first be-
came known
1t was known unofficially at that
time that President Wilson had be-
come convinced that the allied cause
stood in grave danger unless a CEN
trail body could be erected with au-
thority to initiate warfare based on
a We'll digested plan of strategy that
covered all fronts.
The president was determined that
the United States should not waste
its strength in the war; but should,
with the cobelligerents, wage an
efficient battle of the most vigorous
character. His military and naval
advisers had strongly urged upon him
the ACCESSIBILITY of seeking to unite
all the forces opposed to Germany into
a single unit of military power, strik-
ing every blow for its relation to a
q grand scheme of campaign and
wasting no strength in minor en-
gagements or disrelated offensives on
the several fronts.
The Italian disaster has been cited
as a striking example of what the
lack of complete cooperation among
the Allies might bring about. When
the Austro-G German drive into Italy
began the Italian armies were threat
ening the very heart of the whole
ia O.
German defences on the west front
were threatened from the rear, for
Austria was crumbling under the
punishment administered by the forces
of General Cadorna. Some officers
here believe that the war would have
been virtually over now had Cadorna's
great effort been made with the full
support Of the British and French be-
hind it. Failing that, it was swept
back and the enemy got the best mill
tary position he had occupied since
the defeat of his drive at Paris in
1914.
Army officers here profess complete
ignorance Of the plan of campaign
mapped out by the Versailles SUI
preme war council and upon which
Mr.. Lloyd George unhesitatinsly
staked the survival of his govern
ment. IN boldly challenging parlia-
ment, it was pointed out, the premier
knew beyond question that the de-
feat of his ministry and the conSe-
quent withdrawal of Great Britain
from adherence of the full purpose
of the Versailles council meant that
no highly organized allied offensive
could be looked forward to this year.
The premiers challenge to his
critics and the unreserved nature Of
that challenge were interpreted here
as a hint at great events soon to
come.
Taken in connection with Presi-
dent Wilson'S recent statement that
1918 would be the decisive year and
the repeated warnings from the west
ern front that a, great German often
sive is imminent there, today's pro-
ceedings in London are regarded as
highly significant.
1t has been asserted officially and
unofficially that the Allies still have
q preponderance of men and guns on
the western front, and the belief here
is that the Allied council would not
be content to wait the blow of the
enemy.
The explanation of the premier of
the rejection of Gen. Sir William
Robertson's proposal to place a SUI
coordinate officer as Great Britains
representative on the supreme coun-
ell probably throws light upon the
purpose of the Washington govern
ment in continuing Gen. Tasker II.
Bliss, it's representative at Versailles,
as chief of staff, although his func-
tons in that capacity are in process
of transfer to Major-Gen. Peyton c.
March