The English Crisis.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16209, 11 May 1918, Page 8

The English Crisis.

There ■ will bp general satisfactipn, wp think, at tho result of the division on Mr Asquith's motion for a Select Committee to enquire into the allegations made bj Major-Goneral Maurice. Mr Lloyd - George stated that the Government would resign if this were carried. The Unionist "War Committee met and decided to support the .Government in any division, and it is understood that the Liberal War Committee decided to adopt the same course. Mr Asquith's motion was defeated by 293 votes to 106. Ono thing is quite clear, namely, that Parliament is decidedly opposed to seeing the management of I tho war placed in the nerveless hands of Mr Asquith, and left to the chance of his too perfectly-poised intellect. Mr Lloyd George seems to liavo succeeded completely in refuting the charge brought against him by MajorGeneral Maurice of having misstated the factß in regard to the strength of the British armies on the Western front, and tho number of our white troops in Palestine. That a member of tho General Staff should, in public, give the lie direct to the Prime Minin regard to a Ministerial statp-

ment affecting the war, is a monstrous depart aro from established usage. Ho is hardly likely to hare exposed himself to the almost certain risk of ruining his professional career "without some powerful backing, and tho question naturally arises, who arc his associates? If it turns out that the whole thing is the result either of political intrigue or of professional resentmont, it i 9 to be hoped that those who are concerned in the plot will be brought sharply to account. It the meantime, it is satisfactory to seo the j3ouso of Commons taking a strong line in the matter.