ABSTRACT
Lloyd George prepared for the Rome Conference with characteristic thoroughness and laid down on broad lines the methods which were destined in the coming years to make him easily the leading figure in Europe. The War Cabinet held a number of preparatory meetings. All the Government departments concerned produced Memoranda. The new conference Cf. Macedonia, I, p, 246. would provide an opportunity for furthering his general policy of co-operation between the Allies. Lloyd George also pressed that plans should be worked out for reinforcing the Italian Front by British and French troops. He urged this as a measure of insurance against an attack by Germany in case she succeeded in disposing of Russia. Until the autumn of 1917, however, we shall see nothing but the bitterness of failure and defeat, in circumstances which would have daunted the spirits of a lesser man.
