The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-23
LLOYD GEORGES SPEECH.
PREMIER TELLS HOUSE OF COM
MONS OF VERSAILLES
CONFERENCE.
American Proposal for Central War
board to- Direct War Was a Marvel
of COgeE4 Argument.


George today in the house of commons
made his eagerly awaited statement
regarding che recent army changes.
lie said the government was anxious
liam Robertson as chief of staff so
long as it was compatible with the
policy decided upon in common with
Great Eritains allies.
The premier said the policy Of the
government was based upon the as
sumption Ehat the allies had suffered
in the past through lack of concerted
and coordinated efforts. 1t had been
decided to set a central authority to
coordinate the strategy Of the allies.
The general principles laid down at
the recent session in Versailles of the
supreme war council were agreed to
by all, the premier told the house. 1t
was also agreed that there should be
an interalljed authority with executive
powers. The only difference which
first proposal at Versailles, he con-
tinued, was that the central author
ity should consist of council of
chiefs of sl,iff, but this was abandoned
inasmuch AS it was regarded as un-
workable.
The American representatives at
irresistible power and logic" for the
plan OF expansion OF the supreme
councils Power, the premier said.
Mr.. LloyG George said it was es-
sential that decisions should be taken
instantly at Versailles Meeting sepa-
rately, the delegates of the respective
allies, he explained, considered their
plan, which in each case was Identical.
This proposition was passed without
n dissenting vote and accepted by all
the military representatives, the pre-
mier said.
Being under the impression that all
the diflclties had been overcome,
continued the premier, the govern
ment offered General Robertson
position OF the Versailles council, but
ne was ur wiling to acquiesce in the
system, opjeCting to it on military
grounds, General Robertson, added
the premier, then refused the post of
chief OF staff with powers adapted to
the position set up at Versailles.
Mr.. Lloyd George said the country
was faced with terrible realities. He
begged the house to have done with
all controversy. adding that the gov
eminent was entitled to know tonight
whether the house and the country
wished it to proceed with the policy
deliberately arrived at
If he should read the documents
submitted by the Americans, Mr..
Lloyd George said, there would be no
need to make a speech
THE case is presented with irresis-
tible power and logic" he added.
What happened? We altered the
proposal here and there. There was
a good dea' of discussion which took
some hours. There was not a single
dissenting voice SO far as the plan was
concerned"
If the house of commons repudiated
the policy for which he was respon-
Sible, in which he believed the safety
of the country depended Mr.. Lloyd
George declared he would quit office.
His one regret would be that he had
not greater strength and ability to
pace at the disposal of his country in
its gravest hour.
Immediately Mr.. Lloyd George con-
cluded, former Premier Asquith
arose and expressed the wish that the
premier's address had been made q
week ago.
The premier announced that Gen.
Sir Henry Seymour Rawlinson had
cen appointed to represent Great
britain on he supreme war council
al Versailles
Il hestated for some time" said
the premier in referring TO American
representations. whether | should
not read in the house OF commons
he very cogent documents submitted
oy the American delegation, which
pat the case for the present proposal.
1t is one o. the ablest documents
ever submitted TO military confer
snce. The only reason why | do not
read it to the house, is that it is mix
,d up with the plan OF operations"
ANY one who examines CLOSELY the
vents of 1916 and 1917. said the pre-
nier, would ind plenty of argument