Editing H. H. Asquith (section)

===To-ing and fro-ing===

Law met again with Carson and Lloyd George on 25 November and, with Aitken's help, drafted a memorandum for Asquith's signature.{{sfn|Adams|p=227}} This would see a "Civilian General Staff", with Lloyd George as chairman and Asquith as president, attending irregularly but with the right of referral to Cabinet as desired.{{sfn|Adams|p=227}} This Law presented to Asquith, who committed to reply on Monday the following week.{{sfn|Cassar|p=213}}

His reply was an outright rejection; the proposal was impossible "without fatally impairing the confidence of colleagues, and undermining my own authority."{{sfn|Cassar|p=213}} Law took Asquith's response to Carson and Lloyd George at Law's office in the Colonial Office. All were uncertain of the next steps.{{sfn|Jenkins|p=426}} Law decided it would be appropriate to meet with his senior Conservative colleagues, something he had not previously done.{{sfn|Jenkins|p=427}} He saw [[Austen Chamberlain]], [[Lord Curzon]] and [[Lord Robert Cecil]] on Thursday 30 November. All were united in opposition to Lloyd George's War Council plans, with Chamberlain writing, "(we) were unanimously of opinion (sic) that (the plans) were open to grave objection and made certain alternative proposals."{{sfn|Chamberlain|p=117}}

Lloyd George had also been reflecting on the substance of the scheme and, on Friday 1 December, he met with Asquith to put forward an alternative. This would see a War Council of three, the two Service ministers and a third without portfolio. One of the three, presumably Lloyd George although this was not explicit, would be chairman. Asquith, as prime minister, would retain "supreme control."{{sfn|Grigg 1985|p=450}}

Asquith's reply the same day did not constitute an outright rejection, but he did demand that he retain the chairmanship of the council.{{sfn|Jenkins|p=430}} As such, it was unacceptable to Lloyd George and he wrote to Law the next day (Saturday 2 December), "I enclose copy of P.M.'s letter. The life of the country depends on resolute action by you now."{{sfn|Beaverbrook|p=406}}