Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-02-20
Intense Interest in Statement
by Lloyd George Concerning
Changes in High Army
Commands.
VERSAILLES COUNCIL
EXPLAINED IN HOUSE
Premier Tells Commons Need
of Centralized Authority and
Allied Coordination Was
Object,

fsv sohrisc JounHsL SPECIAL luAs1n wImWl
London Feb. 19.--Premier Lloyd
George today made in the house of
commons his eagerly awaited state
ment regarding the recent army
changes. He said the government
was anxious to retain the services OF
Gen. Sir William Robertson as chief
OF staff so long as it was compatible
upon the policy decided upon in COM
mon with Great Britain's allies.
The premier said the policy of the
government was based upon the as
sumption that the allies had suffered
in the past through lack of concerted
and co-ordinated efforts. 1t had been
decided to set up a central authority
TO coordinate the strategy of the al
lies
America Favors Move.
The American representatives at
the Versailles war council declared
with irresistible power and logic" for
the plan for expansion of the supreme
councils power the premier said.
The premier announced that Gen.
Sir Henry Seymour Rawlinson had
been appointed to represent Great
Britain on the supreme war council
at Versailles.
The general principles laid down az
the recent session in Versailles Of
the supreme war council were agreed
to by all, the premier told the house.
1t was also agreed that there should
be an inter-allied authority with ex-
ecutive powers The difference which
arose was as to its constitution. The
first proposal. at Versailles, he con-
tinued, was that the general author
ity should consist of council of chiefs
of staff but this was abandoned mas
much as it was regarded as unwork-
able.
Instant Action Needed
Mr.. Lloyd George said it was es-
sential that decisions should be taken
instantly at Versailles. Meeting sep
arately the relegates of the respective
allies, he explained, considered their
own plan, which in each case was
Identical. This plan was passed with
out dissenting vote and accepted by
all the military representatives, the
premier said.
Being under the impression that all
difficulties had been overcome, con-
tinued the premier. the government
offered General Robertson a position
on the Versailles council, but he was
unwilling to acquiesce in the system
objecting to 1t on military grounds.
General Robertson, added the pre-
mier, then refused the post of chief OF
staff with powers adapted to the posi-
tion set up at Versailles.
American Document Direct.
II hesitated for some time" said
the premier in referring to the Amer
lean representations. whether
should not read in the house Of COM
mons the very cogent documents sub
mitted by the American delegation
which put the case for the present
proposal It is one of the ablest doc
uments ever submitted to military
conference. The only reason why
do not read it to the house is that II
is mixed up with the plan of opera
tions."
Mr.. Lloyd George said the country
was faced with terrible realities. He
begged the house to have done with
all controversy, adding that the gov
ernment was entitled to know tonight
whether the house and the country
wished 1t to proceed with the policy
deliberately arrived at.
The premier asserted that the con-
clusions reached at Versailles were
the result Of very powerful repre-
sentations by the delegations of other
governments, notably the American
government.
Case Fully Presented.
II he should read the document sub
mitted by the Americans. said Mr..
Lloyd George, there would be no need
to make q speech.
'The case Is presented with ire
sistible power and logic" he added.
s"What happened? We altered the
proposal here and there. There was
good deal of discussion which took
some hours. There was not single
dissenting voice SO far as the plan was
concerned
IF the house of commons repudi.
ated the policy for which he was re-
sponsible. on which he believed the
safety Of the country depended, Mr..
Lloyd George declared. he would quit
office. His one regret would be that
he had not greater. strength and
ability to place at ehe disposal of his
country in its gravest hour.
Haig at Conference.
The British commander. Field Mar
shal Haig, was present at the session
Of the supreme war council, Mr..
Lloyd George went on. He drew at
tention to two weak points in the pro-
posal which were thereupon adjusted
by the conference. General Robertson
was present. when the decision was