2 FEBRUARY 1918, Page 1

LOrd Derby's concluding words were as follows : " There

has never been the least wavering on my part in my allegiance to those two °Mesas Vit. Willits' Robertson and Sir Douglas Haig] who are

bearing such a heavy burden on their shoulders." It will be seen from Lord Derby's speech that he still has complete confidence in the military leaders, and his words am tantamount to a definite pledge that if he is asked to dismiss them, while his present opinions hold, he will resign. Let us say once more, then, that in our opinion the next thing required is for the Prime Minister himself to make a statement. Lord Derby, it will be noticed, merely declared (1) that he had never been called upon to dismiss Sir William Robertson and Sir Douglas Haig, and (2) that it was understood between him and the Prime Minister that his refusal to dismiss them if called upon to do so would mean his resignation.