Mr. Macpherson went on to affirm ()nee more that the
blame for the partial reverse in the Cambrai sector did not lie with the Higher Command. He declined to ascribe the fault to any one. The General Staff knew two days before that the enemy was going to attack on November 30th, they took all the necessary precautions, and the reserves ready behind the line minimized the effect of the breakdown. " If in this case the War Cabinet had been assured that the Higher Command was to blame, I make bold to say we should unhesitatingly alter the Higher Commands in the field." Mr. Ifacpherson's speech failed to touch the real question at issue. The public will naturally ask why neither the Prime Minister nor any other member of the War Cabinet took the trouble to attend a debate which was known to be coming on. A few words from Mr. Lloyd George, repudiating the abominable insinuations against Sir William Robertson and Sir Douglas Haig, would• have cleared the air and removed the widespread uneasiness. It. is impossible for the present situation to continue. The Prime Minister ought to have felt that he owed it to the Military Chiefs to be present.
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