Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-19
LONDON IS CRITICAL OVER
R0BERTSON's DISMISSAL
Influential Newspaper Makes Attack
on Ministry Because OF His
Retirement.
PREMIER MAY REPLY TO-DAY
In Discussing Recent Speech OF
Lloyd George London Times De-
Clarcs Ills Utterances Fail TO
Carry Complete Conviction.
IBy Associated Press.I

LONDON, February lS.--Thc idea
that the public is attempting to dictate
10 the government what their military
policy shall be or who shall be en-
ploycd to carry il out, is deprecated
by the Daily Chronicle in an editorial
on the situation brought about by the
announcement that General Robertson
had been retired as chief of the inn.
perial staff
The task is ore for the responsible
ministers" il says, 'and while il is
oi.eu 10 Parliament to change the MIN
listers. no circumstances have been dis
closed in the present instance which
warrant such an upheaval"
The Times. rcmarking that the Pre-
micr's cat speech in the House or
Ccmnso allied TO carry complete con-
victIou 8Ns tho result has been n
storm at cXaSEeration and political
in;rirucs over what seems TO have been
a most natural and common-scn ar
ranEcmcnt |. declares that a full cx-
PLANTATION of events obviously is over
due.
News Of General Robertsons rem oval,
the Morning Post says. will be re-
tic and the army. IT culogizes Gem
cral Robertson not only as tho greatest
British soldier of his day. but as the
highest military genius the war thus
far has produced
OWES EFFICIENCY AND
SUCCESS TO ROBERTSON
1T is impossible to cxaggcrate," it
says, how much efficiency and sue
cess the British arms owe TO Gcnerai
Robertson
DECLARING il is evident General Rob
crison has been dismissed, aud that
those who dismissed him find it in
convenient to confess the truth. the
Post says Parliament will insist on
knowing why the distinguished SOL
dicr is treated so scuryily. IT con-
tinucs:
IF tho summary dismissal of Cen
cral Robertson were not enough to
George and the government the cir
scumstances Of the dismissal would do
II. We have had enough OF the
Premier who surrounds himself with
janizaries of the press, ready at the
lift OF his eyebrow TO bowstrins any
distinguished soldier or sailor who
dares 10 cross his arbitrary will The
need of the hour is n Premier who.
while knowing where 10 forbear inter-
ference with what he does not under
stand, will know also how to throw his
whole weight into the prosecution Of
tho war"
James W. 1.owther, the speaker Of
tho House OF Commons. and General
Ian {. SHUTS arc mentioned by the
Fost as the type Of men fitted TO head
III" government.
GOVERNMENT Calls IT'S
SUPPORTERS TO LONDON
. according to the Daily News. the
government il becoming anxious over
rs position. us supporters all over
the country were te!eGraphcd on SUN
day request that they attend the
sessions Of the House Of Commons on
Monday and Tuesday FOR important
army debates. says this newspaper.
The question Of Tho governments
Stabi!;y is mentioned by other news
papers but mostly wiihou, expressions
Of hope and expectation tina; the Par
lament Will support the ministers. 1t
stu seems probable that Premier
LLOYD George vii! make his promised
statement on Tuesday, although il is
regarded rs possible that circumstances
may imrcl sXm totspeall to-day. not