The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-18
Charge Lloyd George With Dis
missal of Chief of Staff.
Allege Newspapers Trying To
Run Military Dept.
EULOGIzE GEN. ROBERTSON
Claim Premier Feared To An
nOunce Ousting of Warrior.
Will Require Parliament Speech
To Clear Himself.

London, Feb. 1S.-The idea that the
public is attempting to dictate to the
government what their military policy
shall be or who shall be employed to
carry it out, is deprecated by the Daily
Chronicle. In an editorial on the situa-
ton brought about by the announce
ment that General Robertson had been
retired as chief of the imperial staff.
The task is one for the responsible
minister's" it says, land while it is
open to parliament to change the min.
listers, no circumstances have been
disclosed in the present instance which
warrant such an upheava1."
The Times remarking that the
premier's recent speech in the house
of commons failed to carry complete
conviction, says the result has been q
storm of exaggeration and political in
trigue over what seems to have been &
most natural and common sense ar
rangement. 1t declares that a full
explanation of events obviously is
overdue.
Behind the Scenes.
THE government seems to have
done it's best to mishandle an over
whelming case" it adds. Whatever
may have been going on behind thu
scenes, their alternate bursts of con-
fidence and reticence have given the
impression of sheer indeciSion. 1t is
almost as surprising as it is satisfac-
tory that the allies military organiza.
ton has emerged with its principles
unimpaired.'
News of General Robertson's re-
moval, the Morning Post says, will be
received with CONSERVATION by the
public and the army. 1t eulog1zes
General Robertson not only as the
greatest British soldier of his day, but
as the highest military genius the war
thus far has produced.
tr hat
General Robertson has been dismissed
and that those who dismissed him find
it inconvenient to confess the truth
the Post says that parliament will in
sist on knowing why the distinguished
soldier is treated SO scurvily. 1t con-
tinues:
IF the summary dismissal of Gen.
eral Robertson was not enough tc
shatter our confidence in Premier
Lloyd George and the government, the
circumstances of the dismissal would
do it. We have had enough of the
premier, who surrounds himself with
Janissaries of the press ready at the
lift of his eyebrow to bow-string any
distinguished sailor or soldier who
dares to cross his arbitrary will The
need of the hour is premier who
while knowing where to forbear in
reference with what he does not I'M
derstand, will know also how to throw
his whole weight into the prosecution
of the war" fN
James W. Lowther, the speaker OF
the house of commons, and General
Jan c. SHUTS are mentioned by the
Post as the type of men fitted to head
the government. g e
Government Calls in Supporters.
According to the Daily News, the
government is becoming anxious over
its position. Its supporters all over
the country were telegraphed on Sun
day a request that they attend the
session of the house of commons OF
Monday and Tuesday for important
army debates. says this newspaper
The question of the governments sta
bility is mentioned by other newspa-
pers but mostly with expression OF
hope and expectation that the parlia-
ment will support the ministers.
1t still seems probable that Premier
Lloyd George will make his promised
statement on Tuesday, altho it is re-
garded as possible that circumstances
may impel him to speak today, not
withstanding the cold from which he
is suffering.