IN EXPLANATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1918, Page 3

IN EXPLANATION.

GENERAL MAURICE’S LATEST. RUSHING INTO PRINT. fAUSTRALIAN cC N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION'] (Received this day at 1.20 a.m.,) LONDON, May 15. General Maurice Has accepted a position as military correspondent of tnc “Daily Chronicle. His first amnie says he only did his duty, not as a disgruntled soldier who was turned out of a job. He was about to take important employment in France. He can say without vanity that ho had a promising career before him. He had left the service he loved and therefore had made a a very real sacrifice, but hoped it was not- in vain.

He does not intend to indulge in recriminations, and any criticisms will be constructive. He bad appealed to Parliament to enquire into bis statements. His appeal had failed and his caso had not been heard. He had paid the penalty For the breach of discinlinc, which he deeply regretted, but he had felt bound to commit. There is nothing more to be said. A newspaper controversey upon the facts of his letter was obviously impossible.

He was prepared to substantiate their correctness before a tribunal appointed by Parliament. He felt that an explanation was necessary to Hon. Lloyd George’s comments, first regarding his presence at Versailles, when the taking over of the line was discussed. He accompanied the British representatives, and attended the first meeting of the Supreme War Council. During a subsequent meeting he was in the corridor outside the chamber. During intervals between the meeting ho wiuj engaged in. work in connection with questions under examination. Therefore his statement that he was at Versailles was justified.

The second point was that lion. Lloyd George asked why he made no criticisms while in office. Hon. Lloyd George made a speech on 9th April. A report that he was at ..the House of Commons that day was incorrect. It was that day the enemy’s attack in Flande>rs began. Between the 9th and 20th when he handed over his duties to his successor he was much occupied with his duties and was part of the time in France. He had not leisure for more than a glance at Lloyd George’s speech. He departed from the War Office on leave on the 20th and then for the first time read the full report of Lloyd George’s speech. While on leave he learned of Hon. Bonar Law’s answers to questions of 23rd April. He returned to London on the 29th and saw the Hansard report of Bonar Law’s speech.

Then, and not till then, he formed a' definite opinion of Hon. Bonar Law’s replies,. anff Lloyd George’s statements. Taken together they put upon the soldiers a responsibility which according to his judgment, ought to be borne by Ministers. It appears to him a matter to urgently correct that impression. He wrote on the 30th. to his late Chief, General Wilson pointing out the incorrectness of these statements. He awaited a reply until # 6th May, and could not wait any longer, because ho was warned to expect orders to go to Franco,on the 10th. He did not wish to make such charges on the levo of leaving the country.

General Maurice concluded by denying the suggestions of collusion with other soldiers, or with opponents of the Government in Parliament or press. He acted entirely alone, nothing was further from his mind than to serve any partisan or political purpose. MAURI CE’I~APPOINTMENT. (Received This Dnv at. i 0. 1 5, a..a.; LONDON, May lb. The “Daily Chronicle” lias appointed General Maurice as its military correspondent. General Maurice contributes an article, adhering to the statements contained in his letter. Ho reasserts that the Versailles Council discussed the extension of the British line when he was in the corridor.