A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK
MR. LLOYD GEORGE, I see, invites anyone who thinks that he has omitted from his books a single document which he ought to have published to go and search through his collection. Well, here is one that seems to me to possess a certain relevance to the issues about which controversy is being stirred up, though I have searched Mr. Lloyd George's Passchen- daele narrative for it in vain : The following is issued for publication, from the Prime Minister to Sir Douglas Haig, Commander-in- Chief, General Headquarters, France.
Oct. 16th, 1917.
" The War Cabinet desires to congratulate you and the troops under your command upon the achievements of the British Armies in Flanders in the great battle which has been raging since July 31st.
Starting from positions in which every advantage rested with the enemy, and hampered and delayed from time to time by most unfavourable weather, you and your men have, nevertheless continuously driven the enemy back with such skill, courage, and pertinacity, as have com- manded the admiration of the Peoples of the British Empire and filled the enemy with alarm.
.1 am personally glad to be the means of transmitting this message to you, and to your gallant troops, and desire to take the opportunity of renewing my assurance of con- fidence in your leadership, and in the devotion of those whom you command. D. LLOYD GEORGE."
The date will be noted—October 16th, 1917. The Passchendaele offensive had been in progress two months and a half. It is rather difficult to believe that at the end of ten weeks the Cabinet was under a complete delusion. Mr. Lloyd George, as he tells us, had been to G.H.Q. at the end of September to see things for himself.
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