Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-14
LLOYD GEORGE WINS
/. IN FIGHT ON CABINET
House by $50 to % Virtually Votes
Confidence in Present
Ministry.
LONDON, Fen. II.

LONDON, FEB. II.
In test of strength in the House of
Commons late yesterday Premier Lloyd
George, who was believed by many OBJ
servers to be on the verge of n ministerial
crisis, was upheld by vote of $50 to 2S.
The minority was composed manly of
pacists.
The vote came on an amendment to
the reply to the speech from the throne
expressing regret that "in accordance
with the decision of the Supreme War
Council at Versailles, prosecution of the
military effort is TO be the only immedi
ate task of the government.
Lord Hugh Cecil, member for the
Oxford University, had declared that the
adoption of the amendment, which was
offered by Richard Holt, Rqdcal, would
involve.thc resignation of the government.
Since the Premier's speech Tuesday
in which he openly challenged his op-
ponents to turn him out of Office If they
were dissatisfied with the governments
conduct of the war there had been in
creased talk of cabinet crisis which
some political writer's had been predict
ing for some time Coupled with these
rumors were others, that important
changes also were impending an the
highest military command.
Some persons affect to see in the Pre-
miers speech an indication that he can
not follow, in full, the way to peace laid
out by President Wilson in his latest
address to the American Congress. This
view is based not on any expression OF
disapproval Of the Presidents s stand, but
upon the fact that at no time in his speech
did Mr.. Lloyd George mention MIR. Will
sons reply to Count Won 1iertling, the
4 4 Il
the Austro-Ifungarian Foreign Minister
This omission was all the more pronounced
because Of the fulsome approval given
to President Wilson's attitude by former
Premier Asquith.
UNITED FOR KEEPING UP WAR.
In spite of this apparent difference
however, there is no belief other than
that the United States, along with the rest
Of the Allies, will keep up the fight until
the menace Of Prussan miltarisin is dead.
In the realm of military affairs rs it
affects Great Britain talk has revived
that changes are impending in the high
command The Daily News lobby cor
respondent says that whatever the facts
may he, there is a strong belief IN the
Commons that on Monday night the
government put pressure on Gen. Sir
William Robertson, Chief of the Imperial
General Staff, to induce him 20 resign,
thus clearing the way for the appoint
mcnt of ATaior-Gen. Sir Henry Wilson,
the British representative at the Inter
Allied Versailles Council.
Gen, Robertson, it is said, held it TO
be his duty to continue in his post unless
removed. Confronted with this situa-
tion the government is reported to have
considered whether such a step should be
taken 1t is the opinion of the corre-
spondcnt that the War Cabinet lost pres
tige with all parties as result of yes
terdays proceedings
The Daily Chronicles parliamentary
correspondent says Gen. Wilson Is now In
London ION important business" and
adds:
There are rumors of military resig-
nations and possible ministerial crisis.
] cannot find there is any solid foundation
for them. 1t is, however, significant
that the Prime Minister twice In his
speech made reference to possible
change in administration.