Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-02-20
PREMIER LLOYD GEORGE Ex.
PLAINS REASON FOR RETIRE.
MENT OF ROBERTSON.
BRITISH CHIEF OF STAFF
OPPOSED TO COORDINATION
United States Given Credit for Evolv-
ing Plan to Secure Unity Of Action
on all War Fronts-CaIIs Agreement
Forced by America as Wonderful
Military Document.

London. Feb. 20.--Premier Lloyd
George yesterday 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 Cen
eral Sir William Robertson as chief Of
staff so long as it was compatible with
the policy decided upon in common
with Great Brltain's allies.
The premier said the policy Of the
ton that the allies had suffered in the
past thru lack of concerted AID CO.
ordinate efforts. 1t had been decided
to set up a central authority to CO.
ordinate the strategy Of the allies.
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 Brl-
tain on the supreme war council at
Versailles.
The general principles laid down az
the recent session of the supreme war
council were agreed to by all, the pre-
mier told the house. 1t was also
agreed that there should be an inter-
allied authority with executive powers.
Tho only difference which arose was as
to it's constitution. The first proposal
at Versailles, he continued, was that
the central authority should consist OIL
a council of chiefs Of staff, but this
was abandoned inasmuch,~ as it was
regarded as unavoidable.
Instant Action Essential.
Mr.. Lloyd George said it was es-
sential that decisions should be taken
instantly at Versailles. Meeting separ-
ately, the delegates Of the respective
allies, he explained, considered their
own plan, which in each case was iden-
tical. This. plan was passed without a
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 o.
fered General Robertson, position on
the Versailles council, but he was I'M
willing to acquiesce in the system, Cd
fscting to it on military grounds. Cen
eral Robertson, added the premier
then refused the post Of chief OF stan
with powers adapted to the POSITION
set up at Versailles.
Tribute to Americans.
II hesitated for some time said the
premier in referring to. the American
representations, whether should not
read in the house of commons the
very cogent documents submitted by
the American delegation which put 1he
case for the present proposal. IL IS one
of the ablest documents ever submit
ted to a military conference, Tine ON!
reason why l do not read 1t 10 'he
house is that it ls mixed up with the
plan Of operations"
Mr.. Lloyd George said the country
was faced with terrible realities. ne
begged the country to have done VIII
all controversy, adding that the gov
eminent was entitled to know tonish'
whether the house and the country
wished to proceed with the policy oe'
liberately arrived at.
The premier asserted that the con-
illusions reached at Versailles were the
result Of very powerful representatives
by the delegates Of other governments
notably-the American government.
If he should read the document SUP
mitted by the Americans. said MT
Lloyd-George. there would be no neee
to make a speech. @
1.-THE case Is presented with irresist-
ible power and logic" he added, "Wha,
happened? We altered the PROPOSE
here and there. There was a good dea
of discussion which took some hours
There was not a single dissentien'
voice so far as the plan was concern
ed.'' -
General Haig Was Present.
II the house Of commons repudiatet
the policy for which he was responsible
in which he believed the safety Of tn
country depended, Mr.. Lloyd-Georst
declared, he would quit office. His on
regret would be that he had not greater
strength and ability to place at tn
disposal OF the country in It's graves
hour.
The British commander, Field Mar
shall Haig, YVES present at the session
OF the supreme war council, Mr. Lloyd
George went on. He drew attention tt
two weak points in the proposal which
were ,thereupon adjusted by the con
ference. General Robertson was pres
ent when the decision was reported Il
the war cabinet, and DID not Object.
It was agreed, said Mr.. Lloyd-George
that the permanent military adviser a
Versailles should be member Of thu
army council. 1t was part Of the ar
rangement that the chief OF the i'm
perial staff was to remain the supreme
military adviser Of the government.
General Robertson, said the premiel