Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-09
PREMIER WILL WIN
IN BRITISH CRISIS,
IS GENERAL VIEW
Irish NationaIists' Refusal to
Join Parliament Fight Means
Lloyd George Victory.
GOVERNMENT REPLIES
T0ITS CRITICS TODAY
Expected to Completely Crush As
quithian Accusers, Who Have Al
tentative Ministry Ready.

tentative Ministry Ready.
By the Associated Press.
LONDON, May 9.-In the
house of commons today former
Premier Asquith denied that
his motion respecting the :
Maurice affair was designed
to obtain a vote of censure Of
tie government, saying it was
absurd to describe it as such.
Moving a motion for the ap.
pointrhent of a select commit
tee to investigate the charges
made by Gen. Maurice, Mr..
Asquith said he thought it was
not the business of parliament
to constantly inquire into the
conduct of successive phases of
the war. The house Of COM
mons, he added, had more than
enough of such inquiries al
ready.
Premier Lloyd George was
cheered loudly when he arose
to speak. He said he had been
treated unfairly. 1t was the
business of Gen. Maurice to
come to the cabinet and point.
out where the ministers had
made mistakes, he declared.
Denying that the strength of
the British fighting forces had
been misrepresented rs stated
by Gen. Maurice, Mr.. Lloyd
George asserted the figures
which he had given were taken
from official records at the war
office. Since that time he had
made inquiries on this point,
he added, and the figures were
not inaccurate.
LONDON, May 9.-The Irish national
SITS, according to the Daily News, decid
d officially Wednesday night not to par
icipate in the proceedings in parlia
nent today. If this information is &C
urate, substantial majority for th'
in the event Of division
would seem to be assured.
Although the indications are that th'
government will weather today's storm. i
8 interesting to note that for the frs
ime in the history Of the Lloyd Georgt
inspired limitations ap
,ear in that portion Of the press which
imports former Premier Asquith tha'
n event Of the government being de-
eated there exists IAN alternative gov
,rnment ready to step into the breach.
It is confidently declared in the same
Iuarters that even should the ministry
urvive today its days are numbered.
Premier Has Answer.
On the government side. IT is asserted
he premier has a complete answer tt
he accusations of Gen. Maurice ant
hat the debate will not turn on tech
lical procedure. but will be what /.
described as an open discussion Of thu
merits Of the case, with certain impor
ant disclosures relating to the exten.
sion of the British front in France b,
he fifth army.
1t is understood that both Premier
Lloyd George and Chancellor Bonal
.aw will make comprehensive state.
nents, replying seriatim to all of Gen
points, leaving it to Mr.. AS
luith, IL he considers their explanation
to push his motion to /;
division.
war committees were held last nigh
and 1T is understood both decided t,
support the government.
The labor party decided to await 4h'
trend of the debate.
Among the minor points that hav,
arisen is the authorized statement tina
Gen. Maurice's letter was not shown
previous to it's publication to any sol
der or politician.
The anti-government press contend
that this rules out the alterations O
collusion between Gen. Maurice an,
Mr.. Asquitb.
Interest Is Intense.
The intense interest in the crisi
brought about by the letter of Mai. Gen
Maurice is reflected in the mornin,
They give much promi
nence to the prospects of today's doint
in the house of commons and the atti
tude Of political parties toward tn,
government and Gen. Maurice, respect
lively, and speculate upon the probabl,
outcome. Editorially the papers agai,
deal with the subject very fully.
Opinion Is general that II former Pre-
mier Asquith forces his motion to hay
a select committee investigateAthe charge
made against the government by Ger
Maurice to division the government vii
obtain majority. which some commenfa
tors believe will be substantial. Howeve,
views differ as to how far this will satisf
the public.
Vindication Expected.
Some hold that a verdict by the hous
Of commons in support Of the governmen
wills completely vndicate the governmen
and crush what they call tho intrigue q
the Asquithian opponents. Others saw tba
such a verdict will prove nothing exceu
to oust the government at
critical moment. leaving the main ouestto
unaffected.
Dr.. Naon Sails for New York Nav q
BUENos AIRES. Wednesday. May g.
DR.. Romula 8. Naon, ambassador to tn