Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1918-05-10

this conference, Field Marshal uaig OBJ
tanned the impression that som decision
had been reached by the cabinet without
his consent Consequently, General Rob
ertson drew UP the following memoran-
dunn
"At the recent Boulogne conference
between the prime minister, Nj. Pam
leve, General Foch and myself, the ques-
ton OF extending our front was raised
by the French representative.
POINTS OUT RoBERTsoN's WORDS.
Premier Lloyd George INTERCEPTED:
Having regard to the assertion that
we overruled Field Marshal Haig and
General Robertson, ] want the House
to note these words" The memoran-
dunn continued:
"The reply given was that, while IN
principle we, of course, were ready to
do whatever could be done, the matter
was one that could not be discussed IN
the absence of Field Marshal Hang or
during the continuance OF the present
| operation, and that due regard must also
be had to the plan of operations for
next wear.
at was suggested as best for the field
marshal to come to an arrangement with
General Petain. when this could toe done.
L
c,Ission has taken place. and the matter,
therefore. cannot be regarded as decided
Further. | feel sure that the war cabl-
| net would not think of deciding such nm
important question without obtaining
Field Marshal Haig's view and ] Am
replving To him in the above sense.
That was on the 18th of October.
said the premier, "and the war cabi-
! net fully approved Of the communlca-
ton. Field Marshal Iaig replied ri
once that that threw a new hight on the
Boulogne decision
The premier complained that nj.
! though II had been repeatedly asserted
| that Field Marshal Hing was not con
| suited. his reply, explaining the ne"
| LIGHT was never mentioned. On October
| ri this question was first formally dis
| cusscd with the war cabinet. Their,
was further pressure from the French
government, and General Robertson gave
| his views concerning the line the br'tlSf
| ought to takn This conclusion was no.
| corded in the minutes of the war cabinet
rs follows;
! Full. DECISION PREMATURE.
! after hearing the chief of staff. the
| following conclusion was recorded. M
war cabinet approved the suggestion
az the chief Of staff that he should re-
pIv to Field Marshal llaIg IN the fol
| lowing sense. The War Cabinet are 81
| tho opInion that IN deciding to what
| extent the British troops can take over
| the limo from the French. regard must
hc had 10 the necessity for giving then
a reasonable opportunity for leave ior
rest and training during the winter
| months and for the plan OF operations
| for next wear, and further that, while
| the present offensive continues IT VII
| not bo possible to commence taking over
more
The general military policy for mex
| wear now il under consideration ant
will subsequently form the subject o
| \ conference with the allied govern
F.! nents In these circumstances, the wa
/ cabinet fear that, until thus policy I
/ settled. il will be premature TO decid'
! finally whether the British front car
| b. extended by four divisions or 70
| greater or a less extent than this. lha
was communicated 10 Field Marsha
4 Ealc and never departed from.
/ The premier continued hfcrwar'
/ came The Camhral incident and IN
/ Italian disaster. which nccessItated on
/ sending troops from France lha
made il difficult for the field marsha
| to carry ont the promise he had mad
| II General Petain for certain exten
/ sion which was not as large As IN
one which subsequently took place
was then that the present French pre-
I nlcr came in. and he IS not an cas-
/ gentleman 10 refuse daughter AM
/ cheers He was very InSlstent that tn
4 British army should take the line over
I We stood nv the position that that va
1 for decision nv the commander-ln-chlei
/ We never swerved from that position
/ At last, Premier Clemenceau suggeste'
/ that the question should be examines
/ bv the military representatives. at Hei
/ saiIlcs. and that the Versailles counc
/ should decide if there were any differ
/ ence Of opinion.
Sir Edward Carson, leader of tn
! Irish l-nionists appealed Ia Mr. As
auth not 10 proceed with his motor
/ Sir Edward said that if the veracity c
the ministers was not believed III tn
cause there was no longer any posslbI
itv OF carving on the government.
aAURICE's CAREER ENDED.
The status Of the controversy as
now stands Is virtually that the defenc
has been heard. but the sccuser has not
Whether he ever will be Is doubtful
The case of Major-General Maurice j
IN the hands Of the army council an
there seems little doubt that hls dlstln
guished military career has been ende
bv hls own action
Premier Lloyd George was cheere,
loudly when he made his perorati0
appealing To the Commoners to ceas
attacks which divert the energies OF tn
government from the works Of the wal
He was cheered again when he left tia
House
Judging from the newspapers tn
country is tired Of parliamentary strif
and while the present government is niue
criticised no alternative suggest ed ind