The sun., 1918-02-02
POWER
GIVEN SUPREME
WAR COUNCIL
Wilson and Allies Act to
Put New and Prompt
Punch Into Conflict.
CABINET MEMBER GOING
l.. s. Officials to BE Trans
ferred Soon to Vicinity of
West Battle Zone.
special Despatch 10 TEE srS.


WAsHlSoroN Feb. 1.-President Will
son and the members OF his Cabinet
gave consideration to-day to new de-
re!opments Of prime Importance relat-
ing TO the cooperative policy Of the
United States and the Entente in the
prosecution OF the war The Cabinet
had before it a definite decision reached
by the Supreme War Council. now in
session at Versailles. and the result OF
the Presidents late conference with Col
House was also in evidence. The fol-
lowing programme OF action is about to
be put into effect:
The United States in agreement with
the Entente Governments will grant
plenary powers to the Supreme Coun-
ell to execute vitality important deci-
sions concerning military operations
on the western front without refer
ring such decisions to the respective
Governments for approval or d'sap-
proval.
A member OF the Cabinet has been
selected to leave for France soon In
order to he on the spot to expedite
and assist the Supreme War Coun-
ellis work.
Off1cials in charge or various phases
of the nations war operations will be
transferred to the vicinity Of the bat
tie zone 10 help carry out Americas
role in the joint programme.
For Unity Of Command.
II is understood that the Supreme
War Council will owe its increased
powers chiefly to the persistent EFFORTS
made along lines advocated by I'resi-
dent Wilson. The President has been
for unity of command on the western
front; Ur the nearest approach to It.
since LIN. .iat<ralied conference met in
Paris weeks ago. He has had the in-
dorsement OF both Lloyd George
and Premier Ciemenceau oe France FOR
this plan. but Lloyd George and Gle
menceau have not had an easy task in
persuading their respective Governments
tina. the new policy of giving the War
Council plenary powers should be car
ried out
/ In England particularly there hs:
been . feeling that increasing the pow
'-prs Of I'M Sdrrv1mc >yrWeU1nset-W90i1
4 detract from the Importance Of the mill.
tar?. leader. on the fe,d and would tend
to take the running OF war plans out OF
the hands OF the Governments them
selves. As n result of this feeling the
matter OF pienary powers has been held
! in abeyance while the Supreme Wal
Council conducted its operations witt
the provision that all matters should b.
referred back TO the Governments con-
cerned for their approval.
Both President Wilson and Col. HOUSE
are understood to have maintained the!l
stand against this practice. The rea
sons advanced were primarily that il in
volved delay and placed the American
and Entente forces ON the western from
at a strategic disadvantage with respec
to the Germans who operate under q
high command empowered to make in
Simultaneous decision. and carry then
out
Meaas Maximum Emciency.
The German plans for an offensive
and the prepa tions which have beer
steadily progressing toward this en'
have apparently convinced the Entent
Governments that maximum efficienc,
was now essential for the defence. Con
sequently 1t has been decided not to frs
try out the plan OF referring matters &
the Governments by the Supreme Coun
ell with the understanding that furthe
unity OF action might be invoked
necessary later. Instead the new plal
OF increased powers for the Suprem
War Council has been made effective a
once.
The Presidents statement yesterda,
that this year would be the decisive yea
Of the war is interpreted here to meal
that the operations Of the United State
and the Allies on the western front mus
J be successful in stavlng of German on
slaughts from now until next winter.
The plans now in course Of prepara
ton are to maintain the defensive at tn
:. highest possible point OF efficiency TIL
member Of the Presidents Cabinet 90
ing to France probably will stay ther
two months or more. The American
diplomatic representative will renal
longer according to present plans.
1t will not be permissible to announc
when any one OF tho American repre-
sentatives actually leaves for abroad.