British Crisis.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 9 May 1918, Page 3

British Crisis.

GENERATES ATTACK ON GOVJ&I-N-M'ENT. London, May 7. , A sensation has been caused in England by a., letter written by General Maurice to the Daily Chronicle in which lie charges Mr Lloyd 'George with misleading ';ho House of Commons by stating that th"re was oniy one white infantry division in Mesopotamia a,nd throe in Palertine, when the Government was challenged' as to why there wore no': more reserves in France when the recent German drive began. General Maurice a'lso asserts that Jlr Bonar Law made a misstateinent in the House of Commons when he said the extension of the British front cm France was nofc dealt with by the Versailles Council, implying that •Sin- .Douglas Haig's forces were not diminished oai the «7e of the great battle. In the House of Commons Mr Asqiiitli <lrew attention ito General Maurice's statements and Mr Bonar Law the general would be dealt witl\ by the War Council for a breach of discipline and the Government would ap-. point two judges as a Cour/i of Honour to enquire :nt-o ithe alleiged misstatements of the Ministers. Mr Asquith notified that he would move that'; a select committee of the House of Common* ho set up to enquire into the matter iiistcad of the two judg&s. General MauiTce was the "High Military Authority" at itihe Wair Office until a fortnight ago when he retired 'under circumstances wliidh are veiled in mystery. Received this day ap; 8.45 a.m. London, May 8. General Maunice'is letter has insulted in a Parliamentary situation full •of danger. The Government has intimated! that if Mr AsquitW's resolution o!s carried it will immediately tender its resignation. It is understood that Mr 'Lloyd •George on Thursday wiil make 'a. full statement 'regarding the larger issuer involved in GeneVal Mami'lice s changes, inicludinar details of the British forces on the - Western front in 1917 and at tilio beginning of 1318, with the relative strength of the Britisih and German armies and: artillery during the present enemy offensive. The Daily Express- says General Maurice's apparent contradiction of Mr Bonair Law regarding the Versailles Council and the extension of the British' line is really no contradiction. The two statements refer to different things. Mr Llovd) George's statements regarding the number of white i troops in"the East and the strength of Sir Douglas Haig's forces on the eve of the offensive were based solely on information supplied by the proper military authorities.