Major Davies in the House of Commons on Wednesday called
attention to the Cambrai affair, and asked the Government for a clearer statement of the causes of the set-back. Mr. Kennedy Jones asked bluntly whether the War Cabinet were satisfied with Sir Douglas Haig, whom, he said, they had intended to dismiss a year ago but retained for fear of much newspaper criticism. To these plain questions Mr. Macpherson, the Under-Secretary for War and the only Minister present, replied that the Government and the War Office were satisfied with the Commander-in-Chief. He went on to explain that ho was speaking for the Army Council, " who have, if possible, a greater knowledge of the military position at the time and of the military powers of the commanders than any others." Sir Douglas Haig had commanded their entire respect and every confi- dence. Mr. Macpherson disclaimed all responsibility for the news- paper attacks on the Higher Command. It was the duty of the War Cabinet to deal with those attacks, if they thought fit. It was not for him, he said, to say why they had not done so, but he thought it was unfair to repeat such attacks in the House.
