New-York tribune., 1918-05-10

had not been taken over by the War
Cabinet against the objection Of Field
Marshal Haig and General Robertson.
There was not a word of truth in it.
OF course. Field Marshal Haig was not
anxious to extend his line. nor was the
War Cabinet. But the pressure from
the French governmen: and The French
army was enormous What was done
was not done in response to pressure
from the War Cabinet.
II am mnot suggesting for moment
that our French allies were acting un-
fairly. There was considerable ferment
IN France last year on the subject Of
the length Of the line held by the
French army. The French losses had
been enormous, and they had sus-
tanned the great strain of the fighting
for three years.
Agree on Extension
There was larger proportion of
French manhood put into the line than
in any other belligerent country. They
held front Of 326 miles: we neld 1870
miles. But the Germans were massed
much more densely against our line,
and our lines were much more vulnera-
BILE. The French were pressing US to
extend our line in order that they
might withdraw men from the army
agricultural output had fallen enorm-
ously, and they found it essential that
they should withdraw part of their men
for the purpose Of cultivating their
soil.
"The chief of the French staff and
General Robertson and the Cabinet
felt that it was inevitable that during
the winter months there should be
some extension, and they acknowledged
Vat A$h y ty,<r hoI to NJ IcnN ~
the French demands"
The principles laid down by General
Robertson and accepted by the Cabinet
were:' (D Tney accepted in principle
that there must be an extension of the
British line, (2) that the time and ex
tent must be left to the TWO command
ers in chief to settle together, 90 that
no extension was possible until the Of
fensive was over, az that the line to
military policy of 1918 and upon the
role assigned those armies
Every one, said the Premier, would
admit that those were sound proposals.
The Cabinet accepted them without de-
mur. They had never departed from
those principles one iota during the
negotiations. There was a meeting at
Boulogne among Premier Lloyd George,
General Robertson, M. Painleve and
General Foch, which had been sum-
moned to discuss, an important ques-
tlon concerning the Foreign Office. M.
Painleve raised the question of an ex-
tension of the front.
Quotes Memorandum
Mr.. Lloyd George was not in the
least prepared for that, and he told
General Robertson that it was matter
he must deal with, and the whole mat
ter was dealt with by General Robert
son. In consequence of this subject
having been raised and discussed at
this conference, Field Marshal Haig got
the impression that some decision had
been arrived at by the Cabinet without
his consent. Consequently, General
Robertson drew up the following memo
randum'
between the Prime Minister, M. Pain
leve, General Foch and myself, the
question of extending our front was
raised by the French representative.
Mr.. Lloyd George interjected: "Hav-
ing regard to the assertion that we
overruled Field Marshal Haig and Gen
eral Robertson, want the House to
note these words"
The memorandum continued: "The
reply given was that, while in principle
we, Of course, were ready to do what
ever could be done, the matter was ons
that could not be discussed in the ab-
sence of Field Marshal Haig or during
the continuance of the present opera
tlon, and that due regard must also
be had to the plan OF operations for
next year.
Haig Saw 1t in New Light
at was suggested as best for the
Field Marshal to come to an arrange
ment with General Petain, when this
could be done. / am aware that no
further formal discussion has taken
place, and the matter therefore cannot
be regarded as decided. Further
feel sure that the War Cabinet would
not think of deciding such an important
question without obtaining Field
Marshal Haigs view, and am replying
to him in the above sense'
Ihat was on the 18th of October"
said the Premier, "and the War Cab
met fully approved of the communica-
tion. Field Marshal Haig replied at
once that that threw new light on
the Boulogne decision"
=, The Premier complained that al
though it had been repeatedly asserted
mat Fleid Marshal Halg was not con-
suited, Haigs reply. explaining The
new light, was never mentioned.
On October "a this question was first
formally discussed with the War Cabi-
net. There was further pressure from
the French government, and General
Robertson gave his views concerning
the line the British ought to take. This
conclusion was recorded in the min
utes Of the, War Cabinet as follows:
AFTER hearing the chief of staff
the following conclusion was record