MAURICE'S LETTER.

Taihape Daily Times, 11 May 1918, Page 5

MAURICE'S LETTER.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S POSITION. NEW YORK, May. 9 The New York newspapers commen't | at length upon the British political | crisis. The New Work World says that no Government can successfully carry on a war if it be always under fire. Mr Lloyd George should either receive unmistakable evidence of public support and confidence or leave office. The New York Times says: Mr. Lloyd George's administrative ac+ hievements and his fruitful energy cannot., be denied. If anybody can form a more vigorous Government let us have him, but is there such a man?" The,New York Tribune says that it appears to be an inextricable tangle, which may result in the leadership going to Mr.'Asquith or Lord Milner. No doubt Mr Lloyd George had not achieved the success expected. It seemeu that his position was almost untenable. MR. ASQUITH'S SPEECH. LONDON, May 2. Mr. Asquith, on rising to move that a select committee be appointed to in- ' quire into General Maurice's allegations against Messrs Asquith and Lloyd George, disclaimed any intention to embarrass the Government. There had been much misconception regarding his motion for a select committee. He was strongly of opinion that it was not Parliament's business in war time to be constantly inquiring into the conduct of successive phases of the war, still less to be occupying time investigating the truth or falsehood of ill-informed per- j sons' statements. His motion had been absurdly described as a vote of censure. He had no such intentions.

Mr. Asquith was warmly applauded on remarking that since he left office he had done his utmost to assist the Government, without withholding legitimate helpful criticism. Uncharitable people suspected him of wanting to return to power. If he wanted the House to censure the Government, he would do so directly and unequivocally. If the Government had a good case they tvouTq' emerge with i enhanced authority. When he gave; notice of motion, lie thought the Government would accept it.

Mr. Asquith, proceeding to deal with General Mauricei's letter, said it was a unique incident in' the 'history of the war. General Maurice was a distinguished soldier, who' explicitly impugned the accuracy of Ministers' statements, though aware he was committing a serious breacn of the regulations and jeopardising his future. Mr. Asquith denied the allegations that be or his" colleagues* were privy to the publication of. the letter. The Government on Thursday admitted that an inquiry ought to be made, but must be in secret. He asked if the Government still believed that secret documents, could not be disclosed to a select committee of the HOuse of Commons. He assumed that the Government desired an inquiry. The only question was what kind. Mr. Asquith still cohsiderea that two judges would be proper, more authoritative, and would command the country's respect. Mr. Asquith asked: What is the alternative?

An interpection.—Get on with the war. (Cheers). Mr. Asquith replied: The misconception must be cleared first. Any Ministerial statement will be merely ex parte. In the House of Commons. Mr Bonar Law remarked that he couk 1 not find an unprejudiced committee. Mr Asquith, amid loud cheers, depreciated this aspersion on the House's traditions, and concluded by saying: "I leave it there."

LLOYD GEORGE'S APPEAL. CARSON'S OPINION. Received 9.15 a.m. , LONDON, May 10. ! Mr. Llcyd George, speaking with deep emotion, begged and implored that there be an end of this "sniping down." (Prolonged cheers). Sir Edward Carson said he thought the question to be decided was whe< ther the tribunal of inquiry should be judges or a Select Committee. He appreciated either, but preferred the latter. He asked the House to consider whether they were doing a service to the country or the Alliance by continuing the debate. Were we solemnly to summon generals to give evidence against Ministers and vice versa? He appealed to Mr. Asquith not to proceed with his motion. GREAT APPEAL FOR UNITED FRONT TO ENEMY; LONDON, May 9. Mr Lloyd George followed, He declared that the demand' for a select committee was without parallel. Move: before had the Hou.:- bob:: asked f inquire into the truth o.' liisiiy of a

Minister's statements. General Maurice had access, to all official information while in office, and was the authority in figures. General Maurice also had access to Ministers, and attended Cabinet the day after Mr. Lloyd George, delivered his.speech. He did not call attention to the inaccuracy of any statement, though he was daily in contact with Mr. Lloyd George If the importance of the figures justified General Maurice in breaking the King's regulations, General Maurice's duty was to inform Cabinet at the time. Mr. Lloyd George said he would give the sources of information and ask the House to give a judgment to-day. The Government was anxious to submit the matter to an impartial tribunal. Secrecy was essential because the interests of a certain ally were involved. A judicial tribunal was preferable, because passions had been aroused. It was evident from the anti-Government press that no decision of any tribunal would be accepted. The Government had decided to give the facts and let the public judge. Mr Lloyd George said official records confirmed his statement that the fighting strength of the British Army in January 1918 exceeded that in January, 1917. his figures thereon had been given him by General Maurice's department, and were initialled by General Maurice's deputy. The figures regarding Allied superiority on the West front over the enemy came from General Maurice. The statements regarding the British strength were submitted to General Maurice before he made them. General Maurice informed the Cabinet secretary that he had no remarks to make thereon. The extension of General Gough's front was not discussed at the Versailles Council, but there was a demand for a further extension. The former extension to which General Maurice alluded, was carried out before the Council met. Sir Douglas Haig and General Petain had agreed upon it. Not a yard, of front was taken over as a result of the Versailles Conference. The real point was: Was General Gough's front extended against Sir Win. Robertson's and Sir Douglas Haig's objections? There was no^ word of truth in the allegation. Neither Sir -Douglas Haig nor the

Cabinet' i'ty but' the pressure from the' French athiy was enormous. He did' not suggest that the French had acte^d''unfairly: There had been some f erment, .in' France regarding. the relative iengtKs "of 'the French ;and British lines. /Sir.Wm.' Robertson drew up a minute stating that the extension ought -to be accepted •. in principle,, but the Commander-in-Chief should select the date. Cabinet adopted the. minute M. Clemenceau later v.suggested that Hie Versailles,. Council should examine the question. Cabinet only suggested that the General Staff prepare a case for the Versailles''Council. The military representatives suggested to compromise for discussion. Sir Douglas Haig and General Petain agreed, on

'the extension 'at' otie time'.' Sit Douglas Haig believed the extension had been decided upon, before he had but the matter was explained. That was the sole basis for many rumours which had been-afloat. The Cabinet fully approved Sir Douglas Haig's decision to extend the line

Mr Lloyd George said if the motion were carried Mr Asquith would again be responsible for conducting the war. The Premier proceeded to censure General Maurice's breach of discipline and said he had that day received protests from Australian soldiers against General Maurice's evil example. Mr. Lloyd George concluded by declaring that these controversies were distracting and paralysing. The Germans were now silently preparing the biggest blow of the war. Their action was shrouded in mystery. Our fate during the next few weeks was in the balance. He appealed to the House to set an example to the country in presenting a united front to the enemy. Mr. Asquih's motion was defeated by 293 to 106, AMERICAN PRESS VIEWS. NEW YORK, May 10. The New York ' Times commenting on the defeat of Mr. Asquith's motion says: There is a strong feeling of relief that a change of Government in England has been averted. The over throw of Mr, Lloyd George at th 4 - time -tfould have caused dismay here All England's energies are needed for the Flanders battle/ The New York World says: Although the Lloyd George Government received a vote of confidence, the ■ atmosphere has not cleared.- The grave issue if the hostility existing between the Government and the High Command of the Army.