POLITICS AND WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 May 1918, Page 4

POLITICS AND WAR.

It is difficult to thrust from one’s mind the thought that there are Englishmen in high places just as deeply in league with Germany as was the great Irishman who sacrificed his life in a misguided effort to benefit his country. The casting to the winds all military discipline, disregarding all military usages and customs, breaking away from the most noble traditions of the British Army by a British general who till recently had the fullest confidence of army and people, and also had access to all secret documents, and verbal agreements in connection with the conduct of the *~war is astonishing to say the least. It has so happened that in previous crises someone has caused internal dissension calculated to weaken the Allied cause, and on each occasion publication has been through two British newspapers which have gained hy thelr persistent political interference the stigma of being pro-German. Why do these upheavals occur at the mo-

ment when the aruiies of the Allies are passing through such crimes as may terminate in disaster, and extinction or a free British Empire? In Germany the man would be shot who dared to do a tenth what General Maurice has. The audacity of the man is beyond one’s comprehension; in a feud between the old army regime and the new, he finds an excuse to impeach the military conduct of war operations, and to give the lie direct to the British Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet in connection with the most supremely vital matter affecting the Empire’s, future existence. The government that could tolerate such traitorous actions is not At to hsve tion at such a time., ; this, and it is already evident that Mr. Lloyd George will have the matter. thoroughly sifted and cleared up. Mr. Bonar Law stated in j3pmmpns .that General Maurice’s breach of military discipline would be dealt with by a Military Court, by the Army Council; the security of Ministerial statements was another matter. It is quite obvious, said Mr. Bonar Law, that Government could not be carried on if enquiry into the conduct of Ministers were considered necessary whenever they were challenged by a servant of the Government who had occupied a position of the highest confidence; this matter affected the honour of Ministers, and it was proposed to ash two judges to act on a Court of Honour to enquire into the allegations made. If there is nothing venal or ulterior in this sensational attack it is extremely reprehensible in coming at so critical a moment in the Empire ’s affairs, Britain’s allies, new and ole, have occasion to doubt a certain section of the British people. Timed to be delivered with a vigorous peace offensive by the enemy Maurice’s attack might well be calculated to weaken the morale of our French and Italian allies. Luckily for the Empire that coterie in British high places who fraternise with German officers imprisoned in England, and other Germans in internment, have not the confidence of the masses of the British people, the British Army or the British Navy. Mr. Asquith, intent upon the secrets of war being made- public property, is to move that the charge against Ministers, he considered' by v committee of politicians, but, in all that is honourable, the, whole distressing circumstance should be as far removed from the hands of. politicians as possible. If Mr. Asquith moves in favour of a political committee in preference to a Court, of Honour consisting of judges he does so knowing that he may precipitate political chaos and possibly a genera,! election. It is truly amazing how pro-German some Englishmen appeal 1 to be.