THE MAURICE LETTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4866, 11 May 1918, Page 5

THE MAURICE LETTER.

SITUATION MUCH EASIER

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE.

EX-PREMIER’S MOTION DEFEATED.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON,' May 9. ’ The Unionist War Committee discussed the Maurice affair and decided to support the Government in any division. It is understood that the Liberal War Committee propose to adopt, the same course. The Lab -r party will await the trend of events as revealed by the debate. If is understood Mr. Lloyd-George will make a comprehensive statement, replying seriatim to all General Maurice’s points. Mr. Boriar Law and Sir Edward Carson wdl speak later. The Government lias definitely abandoned the proposal fur a tribunal of two judges. Mr. Page Croft, on behalf of the National Party, proposes an amendment to Mr Asquith’s motion, whereby two naval and military expci ts_ will be added to the War Cabinet to” ensure the more effective prosecution of the war.

The Daily Chronicle’s Parliamentary correspondent hears that Mr. Lloyd-George will have no difficulty in proving that all Ministerial «titcments were thoroughly accurate, nit merely technically so. The baffling thing is that the two disputed .statements are based upon data suppivd by the General Staff, whereof General Maurice was a member.

The Daily Chronicle adds: “The explanation may be that General Maurice is thinking only or bayonet strength, while Mr. Lloyd-George -n----cluded artillery and flying co'ps. Certainly thero is not a shadow r c doubt -that Mr- Lloyd-George s eta lament of April 9 was absolutely orrect. The British army this year is more powerful than at the beginning of 1917.” The Daily Express says the atmosphere at Westminster has euangeo since Tuesday, and premature judgments have -been modified.

Many Liberals liave been impressed by Lord Haldane’s appeal to tb« House of Lords that the war situation is so critical that dangerous iesults would an unnecessary discussion was raised and the Goiernment embarrassed. M.mj members of the House of Commons are impressed by the resolution telegraphed to Mr. Lloyd-George Lorn a public meeting of Woolw.cii Aiseiv-i. workers, saying: “The Germans want-you to go, the nacificists wont you to go, but we, .the workeis, don’t want you to go. i onr enemies are all our enemies. Damn them all. God save England. _ __ Mr Asquith lias denied that Pc na» any intention of moving a consul c motion.

VIEWS OF FRENCH PRESS

MILITARY INTRIG c E ST'S

PECTED

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

PARIS. May 9

The Echo de Paris savs supporters of Sir W*. Robertson refuse to iorgive Mr. Lloyd-Geo’-gc fot creating unity of command and are seeking every means to overt hr ;w him. Public opinion in Britain will judge such intrigue sincerely. Le Liberte says: “it a general die. such a tiling in France there would have been a veritable scandal. It is not for an officer to place his duty as a citizen before bis duty as a soldier.”

AMERICAN VIEWS.

TRIBUTES TO THE PHFMiE.R

Australian aud N.Z. Cable ..Association NEW YORK, May 9. The newspapers comment lengthily on the British-political crisis. The World says no Government could siiccosfullv carry on a war if always under fire. Mr Lloyd-George should either receive unmistakable evidence of public support and confidence or leave office. The New York Times savs: “Air. Lloyd-George’s administrative achievements and bis 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: There appears to be an inextricable tangle, which may result in the leadership going to Mr. Asquith or Lord Milner. No doubt Mr Lloyd-George lias not achieved the success expected and it seems bis position is almost, untenable.

DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.

BIG VICTORY" FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

MR. ASQUITH’S TEMPERATE

ATTITUDE.

REPLY EY MR. LLOYD-GEORGE

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received May 10, 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, Ma v 9. Great interest was taken in the proceedings in the House when Mr. Asquith moved for the appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into General Maurice’s changes. Mr. Asquith, on rising, disclaimed any intention to embarrass the Goy-. eminent. 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 constantly be inquiring into the conduct of successive phases of the war, still less to be occupying time in investigating the truth or falsehood of illinformed persons’ statements. IDs motion had been absurdly described as*a vote of censure. He had no such intention. “Mr.-, Asquith was warmly applauded. on remarking that since he left -office he had done his utmost to assist the Government, without withholding legitimate and helpful criticism. Uncharitable people suspected him of wanting to return to power. If lie wanted the House to censure the Government he would do so directly and unequivocally. If 'the Government had a good case, they would emerge with enhanced authority. When ho gave his notice of motion lie honestly thought the tuovernment would accept it. Mr. Asquith proceeded to deal with General Maurice’s letter. He said it was a unique incident in the history of the war. General Maurice was a distinguished soldier, who had. explicitly impugned the accuracy of Ministers’ statements, though aware that he was committing a serious breach of the regulations and jeopardising his future. Mr. Asquith denied allegations that he and his colleagues were privy to the publication of the letters. He said the Government, on Tuesdav, admitted that an inquiry ought to he made, hut held that it must he secret. He asked if the Government still believed the secret documents could not be disclosed to a Select Committee of the Commons? He assumed that the Government desired the inquiry and the only nnestion was what kind .of inquiry. He still regarded two judges to he an impotent' tribunal unless specially empowered by statute. A small Commons Committee of five would be proper arid more authoritative and would command the country’s respect. Mr.’Asquith asked: “What is the alternative?” An interjection: “Get on with the "war J”—(Cheers)'.

Mr. Asquith: “Misconceptions must be cleared first. Any Ministerial statement will merely be ox parte.” Mr. Bonar Law remarked that they could not find an unprejudiced Select Committee.

Mr. Asquith, amid loud cheers, deprecated this aspersion of the House’s traditions and concluded by saying, “I leave it there.”

Mr. Lloyd-George, who followed, declared that the demand for a Select Committee was without parallel. Never before had the House been asked to inquire into the truth or falsity of a , Minister's statement. General Maurice had access to all official information while in the offico and was the authority in figures. General Maurice also Lad access to Ministers and attended Cabinet the day after he (Mr. Lloyd-George). delivered his speech, but he did not call attention to the inaccuracy of any statement, though he was daily in contact with the Premier.

Mr. Lloyd-George continued that if the importance of the figures jus tified General Maurice in breaking the King’s regulations, General Maurice’s duty was to inform Cabinet at the time.

Proceeding, Mr. Lloyd-George said he would give sources of information and ask the House to give its judgment to-day. The Government was anxious to submit the matter to an impartial tribunal, but secrecy was essential, because the interests of a certain Ally were involved. The judicial tribunal was preferable, because passions had been aroused and it was evident from the anti-Govern-ment press that no decision of any tribunal would be accepted. The Go vernment had decided to give the facts and let the public judge. Proceeding, 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 tliereanent had .been given him by General Maurice’s department and were 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 he made them, and General Maurice informed the Cabinet Secretary that he had no remarks to make thereon. The Premier said 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. Generals > Haig and Petain bad agreed thereon. Not a yard of front was taken over as a result of the Versailles conference. “The real point,’’ he said, “is: Was General Gough’s front extended against General Robertson and General Haig’s objection? There is no word of truth in the allegation that neither General Haig nor Cabinet desired it, but that pressure from the French army was enormous He said he did not suggest that the French acted unfairly. There had been some ferment in France regarding the relative length of the French’ and British lines._ General Robertson drew up a minute sfcating that the extension ought to do accepted on principle, but the Com-mander-in-Chief should select the date. Cabinet adopted tile m nute. M Clemenceau later suggested that the Versailles Council should’ examine the question. Cabinet onlv suggested that the Genera] Staff prepare a case for Versailles. The military representatives _ suggested a compromise for discussion. Generals Haig and Petain agreed on the extension. At one time General Haig believed the extension had been decided before he agreed, but the matter was soon explained. That was the sole basis for many rumors which had been afloat. Cabinet fully approved of General Haig’s de'ison to extend the line.

Proceeding, he said if the motion wore carried. Mr. Asquith would again be responsible for conduct.ng the war.

The Premier proceeded to censure General Maurice's breach of discl- - and said he had fo-dav _ received- protests from Australian soldiers against General Maurice’s evil example. ■He concluded by declaring “‘These controversies are destroying and paralysing. The Germans are now silently preparing for the biggest blow of the war. Their act’on is shrouded in mystery. Our fate for the next few weeks is in the balance.” He appealed to the House to set an.’ example to the country in presenting a united 1 front to the enemv.

Mr. Asquith’s motion was defeated —293 votes against, and 106 for.

RELIEF IN AMERICA.

BRITAIN’S ENERGIES WANTED AT FRONT. _ <

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

(Received May 11

1 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 Mr 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: “Although the Lloycl-George Government has received a vote of confidence, the atmosphere lias not been cleared and there are grave issues of the hostility existing between the Government and the high command of the army.”