Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-20
"THE AMERICAN CASE WAS
UNANSWERABLE"

THERE are two distinct questions in
voved in the seething political battle
which has gripped Great Britain as result
Of the Versailles conference. The one re-
iates specifically to centralization of the
Allies strategy and involves the retirement
Of General Robertson. The other relates
to the declaration OF the conference in
regard to peace proposals, which declara-
tion. great body Of opinion in England
believes. was antagonistic to the purpose
and program of Woodrow Wilson. The two
have become confused in the public mind,
, although they are absolutely distinct in
character.
TT was thought" says Lloyd George,
'the chiefs Of staff should have the central
authority. but the American delegates
presented an unanswerable case against it.
1t was one of the ablest military documents
ever submitted" AS a result. the vote OF
the delegations, not including the military
personnel, was unanimous in favor OF cen
traiization OF the Allies strategy in the
Supreme War Council. In this conclusion
General Robertson could not concur, pre-
fsrring to retire.
Standing fst-footed on the position of
the Government in these circumstances,
Lloyd George refuses to bulge inch.
declaring that Parliament must stand either
by or against him without equivocaton.
That he is right, as the case is stated is
too apparent to require comment.
The declaration issued by the Supreme
War Council at Versailles on the night of
February was to the effect that nothing
in the recent utterances of Won Hertling
and Czernin could be construed as real
approximation to the moderate conditions
laid down by the Allies. The Council
decided the only task before it to meet was
the vigorous and effective prosecution of
the war until the pressure Of that effort
produced a change of temper in the enemy
Governments. justifying the hope of the
conclusion of a peace based on the prin-
ciples Of freedom. justice and respect for
international law" The Council was In
.'complete unanimity of policy on measures
for the prosecution OF the war"
1t should be noted that opinions OF the
Supreme War Council as to peace proposals
arc largely supererogatory. Its business is
4 to direct the war, not to negotiate for the
Termination of 1t. This is clearly demon.
strated. by the Presidents readiness to
carry on independent negotiations by wire
and cable, as he did when he last appeared
bsfore Congress and sharply differentiated
Germany. A week ago. for instance, the
London Daily News declared that this reply
was not by accident delivered on the eve
of the new session Of the British Para-
mcnt and that its significance would not
be lost in view of conditions which arise
generally from the gravity of national
affairs and specifically from the vague and
disquieting situation created by the last
( Versailles conference with its menacing
suggestion of another reaction in the direc-
tien Of the knockout blow" A week ago
also the London Star declared: "Mr Wilson
speaks in the language of democracy. The
Versailles report is written in the jargon Of
secret diplomacy II the British Govern.
ment has neither the moral courage nor the
Will power to break away from the foul
past. then let us have clean Government
( that will do So British democracy is at
one with American democracy in a de-
Termination not to live in world governed
5 " Intrigue and force"
The significance of these comments is
Emphasized by the very obvious effort Of
Lloyd George to bulwark his Government
with American support. This is the
American view" he appears to regard as a
nnal answer to any charge. and the
n(rength Of the opposition is drawn from
( &hA phrases Of Woodrow Wilson The
< u,eaning is. then, that the American "intel-
= l1otual colossus" is more powerful than
Iclr own Premier among the English
.60le. who construe his Interpretation Of
ocsacy As a definition OF their own and
support or endure no Government that
not do likewise. So remarkable an
pce Of faith in American statesman
y almost incemprehensibls, but it is
- <pet, whether tspporary or not.