New-York tribune., 1918-02-20

"Power and Logic of
American Plan ''Irre-
sistible," He Declares
Asks Commons for
Vote of Confidence
Explains Robertson Dis
missal; ''Terrible Reali-
ties" at Hand

LONDON. Feb. ie. - Premisr Lloyd
George answered criticism of the plan
for Supreme War Council and of the
recent changes in the British army lea
dership in the House of Commons to-
day by the declaration that the Yer
sailles decision was due to the repre-
sentations of other governments, nota-
bly, that of the United States.
The argument presented for Amer
r ics in favor of unity of war control,
Mr.. Lloyd George said, was zone Of the
abest documents ever submitted to a
military council"
Asserting that the Allies were face
to face with terrible realities" the
Premier begged the Commons to have
done with controversy. He insisted
that his government was entitled to
an immediate declaration of support
or non-support, and announced .hat he
would quit Office at once if the Su-
preme War Council decisions were re-
pudiated.
Rawlinson Is Named
General Sir Henry Seymour Rawlin-
son had been appointed to the post of
British military representative IN the
Supreme War Council, which was re-
fused by General Sir William Robert
son. the Premier announced.
The Premier's statement was made
Immediately upon the conclusion of the
questions" in the House, when the
army estimates were introduced. This
save Mr.. Lloyd George an opportunity
70 explain the changes In the chief of
staff and the various important mat
,sers T decided upon at the Versailles
: conference. He was loudly eheered
when he said he hoped that whatever
he said to-day would be treated as
question of policy and not of personal
lty. If there had been any delay or
appatent hesitation in the announce
ment OF any decisions of the govern
ment it was not because there was any
doubt in the mind of the administra-
ton with regard to their policy, but be-
cause they we're extremely anxious that
the decision when announced should be
freed from any element of personality.
Vote Only Can Tell
the crisis which few days ago seemed
the most serious the Lloyd George gov
eminent has encountered. cannot be
estimated in the absence of any test
vote by the House Of Commons. 1t
was noticeable to those who witnessed
p Mr.. Lloyd Georges crucial speeches
in the House that the cheering which
greeted his entrance was comparatively
subdued and that the hearty applause
which followed his speech was a cold
demonstration beside others of it's kind.
Mr. Asquith was heard impatiently
at times by the members as he inter.
lected remarks, and was interrupted
with cries of get on with the war"
lhe leader of the Opposition confronted
the Premier across the table like q
cross-examlning lawyer, and when try
ing 20 make a point that the Premier
had given the House to understand a
week ago that the government and the
generals were in harmony over the
Versailles Conference, whereas Cen
eral Robertson's opposition was then
being considered. some members
shouted TO the Premier, "Tell the
truth"
On the main point at issue the Pre-
mler submitted that the government
mad been obliged to grapple with the
nard task of brushing aside the old
professional prejudices Of the army
against new arrangements, while Mr..
70 k11 4
vlded responsibility between Versailles
and the home government would prove
unworkable. There was large at
tendance of peers, diplomats and gen
erals, but as Parliamentary field day
tournament between the old and nav
prime ministers, the session failed to
meet expectations.
Versailles a Clearing House
1t was felt, the Premier said. that
the new executive body at Versailles
must know, not only about their own
armies and their own fronts, but also
about all conditions on all fronts and
in all armies and in all nations. Ver-
sailles had become the repository of
information of all fronts, all armies,
all nationalities. all stats and all for
egn Offices. and that information was
being coordinated by very able stats.
it constituted Information Wnlcn no
single War Office possessed.
The Premier declared he was anxious
that the Versailles arrangements be
worked on whole hea1'tedly by the mil
itary authorities here and in France.
ne had had a talk with Field Marshal
halg, who said he was prepared to
work under them
= Inc arrangements were that the
nrltish permanent military adviser at
'he Versailles Council should become
q member of the Army Council, that
-. ne should be in constant communica-
1,on rn with the chief Of the Imperial
Heheral Staff and that he should be
aossoiutely free and unfettered in the
anovice he gives as a member of the
vod voard Of Military Representatives at
versailles. He was to have the powers
dane..:essary to enable him to fulfil the
SVss.es Ves imposed upon him by recent
'ersallles decisions.
Chief. Retains Powers
ho1a Inc chief of the general staff was to
and any once once under the same conditions
ch;as" WIN the same powers as previou.
S"'e's OF staff. and was to remain the |