Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-10

sential that they should withdraw part
of their men for the purpose Of cultI-
waiting the soil.
THE chief of the French staff, Gen.
Robertson. and the cabinet felt that it
was inevitable that during the winter
months there should be some extension,
and they acknowledged that something
had to be done to meet the French de-
mands."
The principles laid down by Gen. Rob-
ertson and accepted by the cabinet
were:
tOne) They accepted in principle that
there must be an extension Of the Brit
ish line; (two) that the time and extent
must be left to the two commanders
ln-chief to settle together; (three) that
no extension was possible until the Of
tensive was over; Qour) that the line to
be taken over must depend upon the
military policy for 1918 and upon the
role assigned these armies.
Everyone, said the premier. would adj
NIT those were sound proposals. The
cabinet accepted them without demur
They have never departed from those
principles one iota during the negotia-
tons.
NJ. Painleav raised the question Of an
extension Of the front
Mr.. Lloyd George was not in the least
prepared for that and he told Gen. Rob-
ertson that it was a matter he must
deal with and the whole matter was
dealt with by Gen. Robertson. In con-
sequence 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 Gen. Robertson drew up
the following memorandum:
AT the recent Boulogne conference
between the prime minister, NJ. Pain
leave, Gen Foch and myself. the oues-
tlon of extending our front was raised
by the French representative"
Mr. Lloyd George interjected:
Having regard to the assertion that
we overruled Field Marshal Haig and
Gen. Robertson, l want the House to
note these words
The Memorandum continued:
The reply was that, while In princi-
PIE we, Of course. were ready to do
Whatever could be done, the matter was
one mat could not be discussed in the
absence Of Field Marshal Haig or dur
ing the continuance of the present oner.
atioh. and that due regard must also be
had 10 the plan of operations for next
year
IL was suggested as best for the
heid marshal to come to an arrange
ment with Gen. Petain, when this could
De done. ! am aware that no further
formal discussion has taken place and
we matter therefore cannot be regarded
as decided. Further, ! feel sure the
war cabinet would not think of decid
ing such an important question with
out obtaining Field Marshal Haie's
View and l am replying in the above
sense"
That was on the 18th Of October"
SAID the premier. land the war cabinet
luilE approved Of the communication
Field Marshal Haig replied at once that
that threw new light on the Bouloene
decision"
The premier complained that. al
though It had been repeatedly asserted
that Field Marshal Haig was not con-
suited. Haigs reply explaining the new
hsht was never mentioned
On Oct. "A this question was first for
maiy discussed with the war cabinet.
Ihefe was further pressure from the
french government and Gen. Robertson
gave ms views concerning the line the
British ought to take. This conclusion
was recorded in the minutes Of the war
cabinet as follows:
After hearing the chief of staff the
following conclusion was recorded:
The war cabinet approved the sug.
gestion Of the chief of staff that he
should reply TO Field Marshal Haig in
the following sense: The war cabinet
are of the opinion that in deciding 70
what extent the British troops can take
over tie line from the French regard
must De had TO the necessity for CIV
ing them a reasonable opportunity for
leave for rest and training during the
winter months and for the plan of Cd
-SA i'SAl SNoi, anu IuTLleF InaI
"hise the present offensive continues I,
Will not be possible to commence TAX.
! ing over more. Tie general military
policy for next year Is now under con.
slderation and will subsequently, form
the subject Of 4 conference with the al.
| hed governments. In these circum.
stances the war cabinet fear that ,,n+i
ms policy Is settled. it will be prema.
'ure 70 decide finally whether the Brit.
ish front can be extended BY four d.
VISIONS or to greater or a less exten,
/ than this
Ihat was communicated to Fjell
Marshal Haig and never departed
| FROM
The Premier continued: after.
wards came the Cambria tnciden,
and the Italian disaster, which ne.
cessitated our sending troops from
France. That made it difficult fol
the field marshal to carry out the
promises he had made to Gen. Pc
| tain for certain extension. which
was not as large as the one which
subsequently took place. It was
then that the present French Pre-
mier came in and he is not an easy
gentleman to refuse daughter and
cheers). He was very insistent tina,
the British army should take the line
over. We stood by the position thai
that was for decision by the com
mander-in-c chief. We never sweryed
from that position.