The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-23
UNITED FOR VICTORY.
ARMIES OF ALL THE ALLIES UN-
DER SUPREME COMMAND.
Premier Lloyd George Tells Pariia-
ncnt That United States Demanded
Unified War Effort.

Washington, Feb. 19.-Frank ad-
mission by Premier Lloyd George to-
day that the convincing demand for
unified military effort under single
directing body had come from the
United States confirmed the impress
sion that has prevailed here since
the proposal to send the mission
headed by Colonel House to Europe
first became known. 1t was known
unofficially at that time that Presi-
dent Wilson had become convinced
that the allied cause stood in grave
danger unless central body could be
erected with authority to initiate vig-
orous warfare based on a we'll digest
ed plan of strategy that covered all
fronts.
The president was determined the
United States should not waste it's
strength in the war but should, with
the cobelligerents, wage an offensive
battle of the most vigorous charac-
ter. The presidents military and
naval advisers had strongly urged up
on him the advisability of seeking to
unite all the forces opposed to Ger
many into q single unit of military
power, striking every blow for its
relation to a grand scheme of cam
paign and wasting no strength in mi
nor engagements or unrelated offen-
sives on the several fronts.
The Italian disaster has been cited
as a striking example of what the
lack of complete cooperation among
the allies might bring about When
the Austro-German drive into Italy
began the Italian armies were threat
ening the very heart of the whole
German military fabric. The mighty
German defenses on the West front
were threatened from the rear for
Austria was crumbling under the
punishment administered by the
forces Of General Cadorna.
There are officers here who believe
the war would have been virtually
over now had Cadorna's great effort
been made with the full, support Of
the British and French behind it, Fail
ing in that, it was swept back and
the enemy given the best military po-
sition he had occupied since the de-
feat Of his drive at Paris i'm 1914.
Army officers here profess COM
plete ignorance of the plan of cam
paign mapped out by the VerailfsS str
preme war council and upon which
Mr.. Lloyd George unhesitatingly stalk
ed the survival of his government In
boldly challenging parliament, it was
pointed out, the premier knew beyond
question that the defeat of his min
istry and the consequent withdrawal
of Great Britain from adherence to
the full purpose of the Versailles
council meant that no highly organ
lied allied offensive could be- looked
forward to this year
The promptness of Mr.. I.loyd
Georges challenge to his critics and
the unreserved nature of that chal-
lenge was interpreted here as a hint
at great events soon to come.
Taken in connection with President
Wilson's recent statement that 1918
would be the decisive year and the
repeated warnings from the Western
front that a great German offensive
is imminent there, today's proceedings
in London are regarded as highly
significant.
1t has been asserted officially and
unofficially that the allies stin have a
prepon3erance of men and guns on
the Western front and the belief here
is that the allied council would not
be content to await the blow of the
enemy.
The explanation of the premier of
the rejection of Gen Sir William
Robertson's proposal to place a
subordinate officer as, Great Britain.s
representative on the supreme conn
ell probably throws light upon the
purpose Of the Washington govern
ment in continuing Gen. Tasker H.
Bliss, its representative at Versailles
as chief of staff although all his
functions in that capacity are in pro-
cess of transfer to Maj. Gen. Peyton
c. March.