New-York tribune., 1918-02-18
Steadiness Is Needed Now
on the Western
Front
National Cabinet
Planned by Cecil
Fight to a Finish Likely for
Lloyd George in the
Commons
By Arthur S. Draper

LONDON, Feb. 1.-THE withdrawal
of General Sir William Robertson as
head of the Imperial General staff, the
climax cf long struggle between the
soldiers and politicians, has thrown the
country into the biggest political crisis
ef the year. 1t comes at a most un-
fortunate time, for there is every in
dication that the enemy Will soon launch
bis long expected offensive in the West,
and to meet it unity and steadincss are
needed on this side of the line.
When Parliament meets tomorrow
things will move rapidly, and before
the end of the week Lloyd George will
have won the hardest fight in his long
and stormy career or he will have given
way to a national government such as
proposed by Lord Hugh Cecil.
promise will not settle the present
differences. This will be fight to the
finish between the Premier's supporters
cn the one side and AsQuith, Lans-
downe, Henderson and the soldiers ad-
yocstes on the other.
Trouble Is Complicated
I. is really more complicated than
this, for the opponents of Lloyd
George include many who are dis
satisfied with his diplomatic policy, as
we'll as those who place the soldiers
above the politicians
The unsatisfactory ending of the
Parliamentary debates last week is re
sponsible for much Of the present un-
rest and instability. During the week
the Premier alienated a number of his
followers who previously had given
nm at least luhewarm support.
The question asked on every side Isl
VIII the government be wrecked ?"
over the weekend numerous con-
ferences are being held and the war
ring factions are preparing for the
great parliamentary battle. No sue
cessor to Lloyd George stands out
prominently. and for that reason the
mapority believes the government will
win. even though it does not emerge
from the tusslc unscathed.
Both Asquith and Lansdowne are be-
lng mentioned as possibilities for the
Premiership. and there are even a few
who consider that labor government
viii be formed.
Opposition Motley
After years of political neutrality
taere is good reason to expect that AS
qulth, Reginald Mckenna. Walter Run
ciman, SIR John Simon, Herbert Samuel
and Augustine Birrell will emerge as
Lloyd Georges opponents. If the fight
IS carried to division on the question
OF military and political policy. and not
complicated by the injection of pacitist
,alnt' the opposition will also include
arthur Henderson and his labor fol-
hnr< 4
lonallsts. some Conservatives, such as
Lord Hugh Cecil. Coloney Aubrey Her
pert, Lord Henry Cavendish Bentinck,
Austen Chamberlain and Jesse Col
ms and perhaps dozen other Liberals
VINO have remained loyal to Asouith
since his downfall and a score more
OF confessed pacitists. who are opposed
10 Lloyd George on every issue because
they believe he is committed to a win
the war policy.
J.. IT, The downfall of Lloyd George would
any OF the opposition leaders men
uoned become Premier, Clemenceau
and Orlando would undoubtedlv be
SUBJECT to political attacks in their re-
spectlve countries.
Wednesday an important inter-Allied
LABOR Socialist conference is sched-
uied to be held here. and its decisions
il garry considerable weight in po-
iltlcal circles.
Challenges Asquith
.n.1 ne National News" says editoriallv:
M nat seems to US the cardinal
error OF our present War Cabinet is
mat 1t occupies itself too much with
strategy aud too little with the diplo-
nstic, economic and other offensives
~hich snould proceed collaterally with
our military operations"
,. Under the heading "Thc Old Mans |
hife hhfe IS Quite Sharp" the weekly
Now, let us suggest a simple prom
osition to Asquith and his cohorts IS
sycophants. If he thinks he has |
samed any hold on The House let him
move ,bo a vote of no confidence and out
inc matter to proof without further de-
iay. ,. ne division of the Hobbies viii I
eve Eve nm MS answer. If the voting
sOcs : against the government then there
70 al chd OF Asquithan pretcnsions 4"