A FRANK STATEMENT.
.liY THE I'KLUE MINISTER. FIGURES USED THOSE Off GENERAL MAURICE. AN APPEAL FOR UNITY. GERMAN'S PREPARING THEIR BIGGEST BLOW. Received May 10, 11.45 p.m. London, May 9. Mr. Lloyd George, continuing, said if the importance of the figures justified General Maurice in breaking the King's regulations, General Maurice's duty was to inform the Cabinet at the time. llr. Lloyd George said he would give his sources of information, and ask the House to give 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 behaviour of the antiGovernment prep 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 the official records confirmed his statement that the fighting strength of the British Army in January, 1918, exceeded that of January, 1917. His figures thereon had been given him by General Maurice's department, initialled by General Maurice's deputy. The figures regarding the 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 lie made them public. 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 thereon. Not a yard of the front was taken over as a result of the Versailles Conference. The real point is: Was General Goitgh's front extended against Generals Robertson's and Haig's objections! There was no word of truth in the allegation. Neither Sir Douglas Haig nor Cabinet desired it, but the pressure from the French Army was enormous. He did not suggest that the French acted unfairly. There had been some ferment in Franco regarding the relative lengths of the French and British lines. General Robertson drew up a minute, stating that the extension ought to be accepted in principle, but tile Commander-in-Chief was to select the date. Cabinet adopted the minute. M. Clemenceau later suggested that the Versailles Council should examine the question. Cabinet only suggested that the general stall' should prepare a case for the Versailles military representatives, and suggested a compromise for discussion.
Sir Douglas Haig and General Petain agreed on the extension. At one time Sir Douglas Haig believed the extension had been decided on before he agreed, but the matter was Boon explained. That was the sole basis for many of the rumors which had been afloat. Cabinet fully approved of Sir Douglas Haig's decision to extend the line. If the motion were carried, Mr. Asquith would again be responsible for conducting the war. The Premier then proceeded to censure General Maurice's breach of discipline. Mr. Lloyd George said he had to-day received protests from Australian soldiers against General Maurice's evil example. He concluded by declaring that these controversies were distracting and paralysing. J'The Germans," he said, "are now silently preparing for the biggest blow of the war. Their action is shrouded in mystery. Our fate in the next few weeks will be in the balance." He appealed to the House to set an example to the country in presenting a united front to the enemy.—Press Assoc.
AMERICAN OPINION. OVERTHROW OF THE GOVERNMENT WOULD CAUSE DISMAY. New York, May 9. The newspapers comment at length on the British political orisiß. The World says: No Government can successfully carry on a war if it is 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 achievement* and his fruitful energy cannot be denied. If anybody can form a more vigorous Government, let's have him; but is there such a man ? The Tribune says: Thero appears to be inextricable tangle, which may result in the leadership going to Mr. Asquith or Lord Milner. No doubt Mr. Lloyd George has not achieved the success expected, and it seemß his position is almost untenable. Received May 11, 1.16 a.m. 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 overthrow of T.sr. Lloyd George at this time would have caused dismay here. All England's energies are needed in the Flanders battle. |
The New York World says that although Mr. Doytl George's Government lias received a vote of confidence, the atmosphere has not been cleared. The grave issue is the hostility that is existing between the Government and tile High Command of the Army.—Press Association. FRENCH COMMENTS. iParis, May !). Tho F.eho do Paris says that the supporters of General Robertson refuse to forgive Mr; Lloyd George for creating unity of command, and arc seeking jy every means to overthrow him. Public opinion in Britain will judge such an intrigue severely. La Liberie says that if a general had done such a thing in France it would have been a veritable scandal. It is not for an officer to put his duty as a citizen before his duty as a soldier.
COMMENTS ON THE POSITION. DATA yUi'lF./lvI) BY GENERAL • STAFF. London, May 9. The Daily Chronicle's Parliamcntary correspondent liears that Mr. Lloyd George will have no. difficulty in proving that all the Ministerial statements were thoroughly accurate, not merely technically, ho the baffling thing is that the two disputed statements are based upon data supplied .by the General Stall' of which General Maurice was a member.— Aus. N.Z. Cable Assoc. The explanation may be that General Maurice is thinking only of bayonet strength, while Mr. Lloyd George ineluded the artillery and flying corps. Certainly there is not the shadow of doubt that Mr. Lloyd George's statement on April !) \vas absolutely correct. The British army this year is more powerful than at the beginning of 1917.
WORKERS' MESSAGE. "YOUR ENEMIES ARE OUR' ENEMIES." London, May 9. The Daily Express says the atmosphere at Westminster has changed since Tuesday, and premature judgments have been modified. Many Liberals have been impressed by Lord Ilaidane's appeal in the House of Lord that the war situation is so critical that dangerous results may follow if unnecessary discussions are raised and the Government embarrassed. Many members of Parliament have been impressed by the resolution telegraphed to Mr, Lloyd George from a public meeting of Woolwich Arsenal workers saying: "The Germans want you to go; the pacifists want you to go; but we, the workers, doji't want you to go. Yrmr enemies are our enemies. Damn them all; God save England."
BRITISH COMMERCIAL MISSION. TO SOUTH AMERICAN STATES. Received May 10, 1.55 p.m. London, May 0. The Press Bureau states: A British mission under. De Bunsen, accompanied by representatives of the Overseas' and Foreign Office trade departments, is visiting South America discuss wit!i the various governments intricate economic questions arising from the war. WAR BONDS SUBSCRIPTION, A REASON FOR DECREASE, Received May 10, 8.30 p.m. London, May 9. Mr. Bonar'Law, asked to account for the decreased subscriptions to the war bonds, said he was informed it was partly due to pacifist attempts to discredit the war loan.
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Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1918, Page 5
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1,251A FRANK STATEMENT. Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1918, Page 5
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