The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1918-02-21
DECISIVE MOVE
ON WEST T RONT
is REGARDED AS OUTCOME OF
BRITISH STATEMENT
pREMIER'S BOLD CHALLENGE
Taken In Connection With President
Wilson's Recent Statement Yester-
days Proceedings in England
Regarded Highly Significant

!
Regarded Highly Significant
| Washington, ID. c., Feb. 20-Frank
admission by Premier Lloyd George
that the convincing demand for united
military effort under a single directing
body had come from the United States
confirmed the impression that has pre-
vailed here since the prosal to send
the mission headed by Colonel House
to Europe first became known.
| II was known unofficially at that time
that President Wilson had become con-
virced that the allied cause stood in
great danger unless central body
| could be erected with authority to
| initiate vigorous warfare based on a
well digested plan of strategy that
covered all fronts.
! Insisted on Single Control
The president was determined that
| the United States should not waste
Its strength in the war, but should.
with the co-belligerents, wage an of
fensive battle of the most vigorous
lcharacter His military and naval
advisers had strongly urged upon him
the ACCESSIBILITY of seeking to unite all
the forces opposed to Germany into
single unit of military power, strik-
ing every blow for it's relation to a
grand scheme of campaign and waist
ing no strength OH minor engagements
or disrelated offensives on the several
fronts. s
| The Italian disaster has been cited
as striking example of what the
lack of complete cooperation among
the allies might bring about. When
! the Austro-German drive into Italy
began, the Italian armies were threat
ening the very heart of the whole
German military fabric.
The mighty German defenses on the
western front were threatened from
the rear, for Austria was crumbling
under the punishment administered by
the forces of General Cadorna. There
are officers here who believe that the
war would have been virtually over
lnow had Cadorna's great effort been
made with the full support of the
British and French behind it. Failing
that it was swept back and the enemy
given the best military position he had
occupied since the defeat of his drive
in 1914 at Paris.
Premier's Bold Challenge
: Army officers here profess complete
! Ignorance of the plan of campaign
mapped out by the Versailles supreme
war council and upon which Lloyd
George unhesitatingly staked the sur
vival of his government. In boldly
challenging parliament, it was pointed
out, the premier knew beyond question
that the defeat of his MINISTRY and
the consequent withdrawal Of Great
Britain from adherence to the full
purpose of the Versailles council ment
that no highly organized offensive
could be looked forward to this year.
! The premier's statement did not
! throw any light Jpn the plan of action
Iagreed upon at Versailles. His words
lprevent any inkling OF that plan being
! drawn from them. The promptness
of his challenge to his critics, however
and the unreserved nature of that
challenge was interpreted here as a
hint at great events soon to come.
Expect Decisive Action Soon
! Taken connection with President
Wilson's recent statement that 1918
would be the decisive year and the
repeated warnings from the western
front that a great German offensive is
imminent there, todaysl proceedings in
London are regarded as highly signi-
1 ficant. T.. .s.I .... H..
II has been asserted officially and
unofficially that the allies still have
la preponderence of men and guns on
the western front and the belief here
: is that the allied council would not
/ be content to await the blow of the
enemy.
The explanation of the premier of
THE rejection OF Gen. Sir William Rob
ertson's proposal to place subordi-
nate officer as Great Britain's rep
lresenttaiye on the supreme council
probably throws light upon the pur-
pose of the Washington government in
continuing Cen Tasker Fl. Bliss, its
Representative at Versailles, as chef
of staff, although all his functions in
that capacity are in process Of trans
fer TO Mai. Gen. Peyton c. March.