The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-05

ent or past. to be a member of the War
Committee"
In conclusion tie Premier defended the
existing War Committee as efficient
Whether 1t was this last defence of
an organization which had been attacked
publicly as a body OF unwieldy size and
too much encumbeed for businesslike
conduct OF the war or the PremiePs nat
refusal to include Sir Edward Carson
can only be judged indirectly. The re-
suit was notable reply from Lloyd
George dated December g, in which ne
laid all his cards on the table. accused
Mr.. Asquith OF "going back" on his own
proposals for the formation OF the War
Council. and rendered his resignation.
The letter summarizes in a dispaseion-
ate arrangement OF Mr.. Asquith's con-
duct OF the war the causes which led
Lloyd George out of the Cabinet and to
the head OF the new Government. 1t
says In part:
Tried to Cure Defects.
Il have striven my utmost to cure the
obvious defects OF the war committee
without overthrowing the Government
AS you are aware, on several occasions
during the last two years have deemed
1t my duty to express profound dissatis-
faction with the Governments method
Of conducting the war. Many time
with the road to victory open in front of
US. we have delayed and hesitated whilst
tho enemy were erecting barriers that
finally checked the approach.
There has been delay. hesitation. la ok
of forethought and vision. have en-
deavored repeatedly to warn the Gov
eminent OF the dangers. both verbally
and In written memoranda and letters.
which I crave your leave now to publish
II my actions are challenged; but have
either failed 10 secure decisions or I
have secured them when 1t was too late
to avert the evils. The latest ilustra-
ton Is our lamentable failure to give
timely support to Rumania.
tThe reference here is to the inter-
ception OF munitions for Rumania by
Russia-)
Reason for Resignation.
II have more than once asked to be
| released from my responsibility for a
policy with which I was In thorough
disagreement. but at your urgent per-
sonal request l remained in the Govern
| ment I realize that when the country
| Ia in the peril OF a great war Ministers
have not the same freedom to resign
on disagreement. At the same time !
| have always felt-and I felt deeply
| that I was in false position inasmuch
as could never defend in a whole
hearted manner the action Of the Gov
eminent OF which I was a member.
I'VE have thrown away opportunity
after opportunity, and ] am convinced
after deep and anxious reflection that
+, is nv duty to leave the Government
| In order to inform the people OF the
real condition OF affairs and to give
them an opportunity before 1t Is too late
TO save their native land from disaster
which IS inevitable IL the present
methods are longer persisted In As all
DELAY IL fatal In war l place my office
without further parley at your dis
| posal"
The letter closed with a declaration
OF support OF the Asauith Government.
but said his future actions would be
determined by the acid test OF success In
| prosecution of the war. II ended with
this sentence:
"Vigor and vision are the supreme
need at this hour.
Upon the receipt OF this letter Mr.
| Asauith replied briefly. regretting the
| resignation. In later letter Lloyd
| George asked permission TO publish the
correspondence between them. but the
request was refused. Upon Lloyd Georges
reply that he felt bound to give the rea-
sons for his resignation to the iublic
Mr.. Asouith went to the King and ten
dered his own withdrawal as leader ot
the Government Lloyd George did not
fulnl his desire OF publish the CORE
lepoudence