Lord Derby was exceedingly wise in his comment that the
line might quite well have held if the lesson had been learnt that it is essential to give as much training as possible to young officers and men with their units when they are " out at rest." As regards the appointment of men of the New Armies to important commands and to Staff jobs, Lord Derby gave some interesting figures, which showed that it is quite a mistake to suppose that such appointments have been refused. Finally, he dealt in the most direct language with the attack on the Higher Command. " Let it be clearly under- stood," he said, " that the Prime Minister has got the most perfect right to dismiss any military adviser and any commander in whom he has lost confidence. His agent for the dismissal of a soldier must be the Secretary for War." He went on to explain that the Secretary for War must either carry out the order of dismissal, or resign if he felt unable to carry it out. " That," declared Lord Derby, " is clearly understood by me. Mr. Lloyd George and I understand each other perfectly in this respect."
