THE LIE DIRECT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 197, 9 May 1918, Page 5

THE LIE DIRECT

MILITARY SENSATION IN

ENGLAND

GENERAL MAURICE ATTACKS MR. LLOYD GEORGE

AMAZING LETTER TO THE

PRESS

London, May 7. Major-General Frederick Maurice, late Director of Military Operations, has written an astonishing letter to the "Daily Chronicle" accusing: Mr. Lloyd Georgo and llr. Bonar Law of making misleading and incorrect statements in the House of Commons regarding tho extension of tho British front in Franco and the number of white divisions in 3lesopotaniiii, Egypt, and Palestine. Tho letter, which has created a sensation, says that several recent Ministerial answers in the House of Commons contain Mis-statements whioh give a. totally misleading impression of what occurred. "Mr. Bonar Law, on April 23, said the extension of tho British front in Franco was not dealt with at the Versailles Council. This is .untrue. I was at Versailles whin tho Supremo War Council decided the matter. Mr. Lloyd George, on April 9, said that notwithstanding the heavy casualties in 1917 the Army in France was considerably stronger on January 1, 1018, than iii .lamiary, 1917. That implies that Sir Douglas Haig's fighting strength on the ove of the great, battle of March 21 was not diminished. This is not correct. ' Mr. Lloyd George eaid that there was only one white infantry division in Mesopotamia and Egypt and three white divisions in.. Palestine. This is not correct."

General Maurice adds: "This letter is not the result of a military conspiracy. I am as sincere a democrat as the Prime Minister, and the last thing I desire is to see the Government in the hands of 6oldiers. My reason) for taking the grave step of writing this letter is that the statements quoted are known to a large number of soldiers to bo incorrect. This knowledge is breeding such disgust with the Government as can only end in impairing the splendid moralo of our troops, when everything should be done to raise it. I have therefore decided, fuly realising the consequences to myself, that my duty as a citizen overrides ray duty as a soldier, and ask you to publish the letter in the hope that Parliament may order an investigation into these state-ments."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

lilt, UullUobl) MAliuHfiNla (Dec. May 8, 8.5 p.m.) London, May. 7. In conuection n-ith General Maurice's letter, it is pointed out that in tho House of Commons on April 23 Mr. Lambert asked if tho Government could explain the failure of tho Fifth Army, and whether the taking over of that portion of the line was contrary to the judgment of Sir William Robertson and Sir Douglas Haig.

Mr. Bonar Law said that thero was not tho smallest justification for the suggestion that that portionof the lino was taken over contrary to Sir William Robertson's and Sir Douglas Uaig's judgment.

When Mr. Lambert reiterated the question, Mr. Bouar Law said that the arrangemoiit was a military arrangement between tho British and the French military;, authorities. Colonel Burn «sked whether Sir Douglas Haig did not protest against taking tho extra lino from . tho I'ronch owing to tho few divisions at his disposal. Mr. Bonar Law replied: "To the best of my knowledge thero is not the smallest truth in the suggestion. Naturally there havo been differences of opinion regarding the extent of lino taken over, but the matter has been left to tho military authorities. This particular matter was not dealt with at all by the Versailles War Council."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT STATEMENT BY MR. BONAR LAW ; (Rec. May 8, 8.30 p.m.) London, May 7. . In tho lioiiso of Commons Mr. Asqiiilh drow attention to General iluurico's letter, and asked what steps tho Government proposed to take to enable the liouso to examine tho allegations. Mr. Bouai , Law replied that the lottor raised two questions: Firstly, the question of military discipline; and, secondly, the question of the security of Ministerial statements. Tho Army Council was dealing with tho first question. Ae regarded the second question, although obviously government could not' bo carried on if an inquiry into the conduct of Ministers wero considered necessary wheuevev they wero challenged by a servant of the Government; wlio had occupied a position of the highest confidence, this matter affected the honour of Minis, ters, and it was proposed to ask two Judges to act on-a Court of Honour to inquire into the alleged misstateinents of Ministers. Mr. Lambert suggested that as the question affected the Houso of Commons the Government c-uould substitute for tho two Judges three distinguished members of the House of Commons, or a Select Committeo of the House of Commons. Mr. Bonar Law replied that the Government was of opinion that, tho suggested Court wus the bost mothod of doing what they considered necessary to satisfy tho Mouse that they had unwillingly niado misleading statements. .In order to examine the question most secret documents must be examined, and, obviously, it would bo very difficult and unsuitable lo appoint a Select Committee, "Mr. Asquith asked: "Is it ' proposed to introduco a Bill enabling tho two Judges to tako evidence on oath? Mr. Bonar Law replied: "That is not thought necessary." iio was suro that evoryone involved would bo glad to place his information at the disposal of tho Judges. If tho Judges veto not given anything thoy wanted they would certainly inform tho Government. Mr. Bonar Law suggested that perhaps Mr. Asquith would think it bettor to have the discussion after the report of the J.udges had been furnished. (Cries of i 'jlr. W. M. R. Pringlo asked: "Will the disciplinary measures pending against • General Manrico bo suspended pending tho finding of tho Court?" Mi-. Bonar Law: "No. Even," he snid, "if every stnleuwut wero true, discipline i iu tho Army would bo impossible if such letters wnro permitted to bo published. Answeriug a further question, Air. Bonar Law said: "Does Mr. Asquith think that tho Government ought hot to proceed with the setting up of tho Court until after tho imscusbioh in tho Houso of Commons?" • . Mr. Asquith replied: 'Certainly.

MR ASQUITH TO MOVE li'Oß SELECT ■ COMMITTEE. (line. May S, 11.10 p.m.) London, May 7. In Hie llouso of Commons, Mr. Asnuitb. uotiGed that ho would movo for „ Select Committeo of the House of Commons, instead of two Judges, on the Maurico attair. Tho motion will bo debated on Thursday.—Keuier. A MOTION OP CENSURE. (K«c. May 9, 0.10 a.m.) London, May 8. ]t is understood that tho Government will regard Mr. Asquith's motion as a. voto of censure.—Aus.-N.Z. Cublo Assn.Bouter. LOBBIES EXCITED ArYSTERY ABOUT GENERAL MAURICE. (Uec. May 8, 11.40 p.m.) London, May 7. General Maurico'e letter is the talk of tho lobbies. It is regarded as giving the lie direct to Mr, Lloyd Georgo's etate. inonts. General Maurice retired from his position at tho War Oflko a fortnight ns;o under circumstances which aro veiled in mystery. It is understood that Sir Henry Wileon (Chiof of the General St«fl) suggested iho chango. Sir William Hob-

ertson brought General Maurice from France in lillD, with General ■■ Wliigliam, who returned to his command in France. They have been amongst tho leaders in tho fight, between the old military cliquu nnd 31 r. Lloyd George, and were closely identified with Sir Douglas Haig, Sir William Robertson, and Gencrul liough. Tliu "Standard" points out thai Mr. Lloyd George's public statements concerning tho Army's strength always tallied, with General Maurice's private stateuionte, showing that Mr. Lloyd George based his (•pdeehos o'n General Maurice's figures. "It is not a question of the uumlwrs in Sir Duuglas Haig's army at tho time of the attack, but of tho Pvemier misleading: the House of Conimons."

Mr. Ivor Phillips, has given notice ot'-.a question to ask whether tbo Government will appoint two civiliane, one of them a Judge, to inquire, into, tho Fifth Army's withdrawal.

Mr. Lambert is askiug whether the Fifth Army had fourteen divisions against forty German divisions reinforced by eight io ten more German divisions, and whether the person responsible for compelling our forces to face such overwhelming odds, resulting in a reverse, ifl still employed.—United Service. PRESS OPINIONS DEMAND FOB INVESTIGATION REPOWTOD. Jtec. May 8, Bi3o p.m.) London, May .8. Tho "Daily Chronicle," in a leader, Bays: "It is impossible to overstate the gravity of Goneral Maurice'e letter. As Director of Military Operations he has unsurpassed first-hand knowledge of facts and figures relating, to the forces .-in. the field. He writes that certain, recent statements by Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law are untrue. Tho statements in question are not casual, but elaborate and deliberate ones, concerning most vital matters, including the sircunistances under which the British took over the extra piece of front south of St. Quentin, where tho disaster of March. 21 occurred. General Maurice's etep is a very serious onu for himself, and obviously he is acting from a high sense of duty. The Ministers stand charged, by a responsible official witness, with, misleading Parliament and the uation. The alleged misstatements look worse because they had the effect of diverting blame from tho Ministers to the soldiere they employed. Moreover, there are grave questions of policy. If the War Cabinet left Sir Douglas Haig, when tho German menaco was piling itself up against him month after month, with'fewer troops than in 1917, the country would not view the Cabinets responsibility leniently. If the two Ministers have, as they well may, a good and conclusive anewer, let them make it -without delay. Tho "Daily News" and the "Morning Post" also publish the letter. The "Morning Post" eays: "General Gough hns boon made a scapegoat for Mr. Lloyd George. Tho Prime' Minister and Mr. Bonar Law made a series of statements well oaleulatod to ahield tho Prime Minister at the expanse of the soldiers. We liavo already pointed out how these statements are out of all accord with credihijN ity. It is impossible to believe that Sir William Eobertson. and Sir Douglas Haiff approved the extension of the line with their diminishing forces in face of the growing enemy. As General Gough is unable to defend himself, politicians aro able to indulge to the full their fine talent for shifting the blame. Fortunately Gon. eral Maurico is impelled to bear witness for the defence. Parliament has a right to tho truth, and the Army has a right to justice.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. London, May 7. The . '"Westminster Gazette" sayss "General Maurico has challenged, the. relations of the Government to tho Army. Mr. Lloyd George has implied that tho Army was totally responsible for tho reverse and that the Government was blameless. It ie imperative that full justice should be done to tho Army. Tho roticonco displayed in many recent Government explanations has created widespread uneasiness." The "Standard" says that Gonoral Maurice has created a grave precedent, "it would be fatal to tho Government's responsibility if every distinguished soldier who disagreed with the Cabinet assumed tho rolo of Publio Prosecutor. Tho Premier ought to answer tho charges beforo the only tribunal-Parliament." Tho "Star" declares that General Maurico's disclosures demand an iminodiato secret inquiry by an independent and impartial tribunal.—United Servico.

SIR WILLIAM ROBERTSON HAY SUCCEED LORD FBENCII. London, May 7. The "Daily Chronicle" anticipates that : Sir William Robertson will succeed Lord i Erench ae Comniander-in-Chief of the ; troops stationed in the United Kingdom.