As we go to press the air is still thick
with rumours about the future of Sir William Robertson. On Thursday morning a state- ment, presumably passed by the Censor, was published by the Central News, that " although Sir William Robertson, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, has neither been dismissed nor has resigned, he may vacate the post at an early date and take a position of high influence if he cares to do so." The vast majority of our country- men believe, and we are sure they are right, that Sir William Robertson is one of the most gifted and clear-headed soldiers living. They trust in him implicitly. They have noted and been gratified by M. Clemenceau's praise of him. His record is without a stain. Of course if he resigns his position as Chief of the Staff in order to take a position of equal authority under the present military reconstruc- tion—on the assumption that a post of equal authority comes into existence--the present difficulties would be at once solved. But if Sir William Robertson cannot honestly lend himself to such a transaction (and we know very well that he will do nothing other- wise than honestly), we hope that he will not resign his position. If he considers that the Government are entering upon dangerous courses, he would beat be able to warn the country by refusing to resign and thus bringing the matter to an issue. As we have written on the subject at length elsewhere, we will say no more here, except that in our judgment the Prime Minister will greatly strengthen his own position if he makes it plain that he intends to act calmly and steadily, and rely fully upon the genius of Sir William Robertson.
