With war imminent , Asquith was happy for Haldane to continue at the War Office formally as Secretary of State for War .
Haldane persuaded Asquith to appoint Field Marshal Kitchener .
With war imminent , Asquith was happy for Haldane to continue at the War Office formally as Secretary of State for War , but Haldane persuaded him to appoint Field Marshal Kitchener .