New-York tribune., 1918-02-18
Lloyd George
lmperilled By
Army Crisis
Resignation of Robertson
Brings Parliamentary
Conflict

eral Sir William Robertson as chief Of
the British Imperial General Staff
brings to a head the storm that for
some time has been brewing in the
/ political world in regard to the rela
tons between the War Cabinet and
the" High Command of the Army. which
nave been the subject Of embttere d
controversy in the press and among
,hc public.
The forces ranged against the GOV
ernmcnt have taken a stand in protest
against what was described as the
newspaper government" and they
openly accuse the Premier of having
conducted, with the assistance of a
certain newspaper group, cabal
against General Robertson and Field
Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. The mani
1estations in the House Of Commons
last week, which were almost of an
unprecedented character so early in a
new session, We're the expressions Of
strong feeling this controversy has
evoked, and It seems certain that they
VIII be revived in still more acute form
during the present week.
Public Liked Robertson
The public and the army hitherto
nave been quite devoted in their belief
IN General Robertson and Field Mar
shal Haig, while to the general public
General Sir Henry Wilson, the new
- Of ,oT IL.
cleavage IN the Parliamentary ranks in
this contest by no means follows party
ilnes Not only We're Liberals and
i'adlcals warm III their support of Nh
Asquth's sentiments on the question:
but also a large number OF influential
Inionists. The division takes late
ednesday night, which gave the gov
einment vote of confidence, could
hardly be taken as a criterion Of the
mons. as the bulk of the members al
ready had left the House. probably not
desiring at that juncturc to embarrass
the government
Had the members been in full
strength. it is impossible to say what
would have been the result. Hence eX-
citing scenes may be anticipated early
IN the week, especially as General Rob
ertson denies that he RESIGNED his post.
The attacks arc certain to be renewed.
and 1T is again expected that the gov
ernment will demand vote of conf
dence.
Papers Foresee Trouble
Most Of the London morning papers
lail TO comment editorally on the off
/ cIai announcement of General Sir Will
liam Robertson's resignation. because
1t was published at such q late hour
last evening. However, the news col
umns virtually all agree that it will not
surprise the public
that the Plemier's audience with the
hlng yesterday was regarded as presac-
llg such action, was intimated by one
or the evening papers in a late edition.
which, after referring to the audience
conc!uded with the paragraphs:
t colncldences go for anything. it
was on Saturday morning that Lore
Fisher, First Sea Lord of the Admiralty,
rcsigncd."
Parliament will undoubtedly be 1.
storm centre for the next few davs.
Whether the storm will begin to-mor-
row. or not until Tuesday, when the
military estimates is the order of bust
ness and when it is believed the
Premier will take advantage Of the
occasion to make his promised state
ment. remains to be seen.
Denies Resgning
! he view of several papers. notably
"The National News" and "The Sunday
iimcs.' which publish statements to
the effect that General Robertson did
rot resign, further confuscs The situa-
ton.
General Robertson. interviewed by
representative of "The Sunday T ines
at his residence at o'clock last night,
SAID:
81 have not resigned. The only
statement | have to make is that it is
quite true that will not accept either
position"
General Robertson referred to the
rests of chief of the Imperial General
staff and British representative on the
supreme War Council at Versailles.
Sunday Times" says:
"Gencral Robertson considers he has
been dismissed. | hear that before the
succession on the Imperial General
staff was given to General Sir Henry
Wilson it was offered to and decline
by General Sir Herbert Plumer, com
Mander of the British forces in Italy.
and 1T is anticipated that other mem
bers of the military hierarchy will fol-
Generals Oppose Cabinet
"The generals have, in fact, rcvolted
against the Cabinet. and the gravity
OF their action can hardly be overcst-
mated The weakness of the soldiers
position is that they cannot agree
among themselves. 1t is not anticipat
cd that the detection of the generals
VIII wreck the government, as. apart
rom comparatively small section of
mllltarists, there is no great sympathy
with the attitude of the solders.''
The correspondent adds that the Earl
OF Derby may resign as Secretary Of
State for War.
"The Weekly Dispatch" under the
caption "The War Situation Now" az
pearing on the front page directly after
the official announcement of General
Robertson's res ignation, says that "the
most Hateful crisis of the war" has
been reached and adds:
Quick Decisions Needed
"While the pacifsts and anti-Lloyd
Georgeites in Parliament are talking
the Germans are bringing up division
after division as fast as their rolling
stock can bring them from the East
This military fact. and not amy per
sonal issues arising out of the unfort-
innate Versailles controversy chap
ter which is ended by the resignation
of General Robertson and the appoint
ment in his place Of General Wilson