Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-05-09
DENIES i /
M0TloN.l'SF|0 FOR
CE]NSURE VOTE
Declares if He Censures the
Government He Will
Face Them.

London, May Sin the. house of
commons today former Premier As
quith denied that his motion regard
ing the Maurice affairs were designed
to obtain a vote Of censure Of the
saying it was absurd to
describe 1t as such. Should he find 1t
his duty to censure the government he
said, he hoped that he would have
the courage to do SO in direct and
form.
Moving q motion In the house OF
commons this afternoon for the ap-
investigate the charges made by Cen
eral Maurice. former director Of mill
taGy operations at the war Office. eX-
Premier Asquith said he thought it
was not the business of parliament to
constantly inquire into the conduct, OF
successive phases of the war. s The
house Eof commons, he added, had
more than enough of such inquiries
already
London, May s.-Although the in
dications are that the government will
weather today's storm, which grew
out of Sir General Maurice's now
famous charges against Lloyd George
and Andrew Bonar Law, 1t is interest
ing to note that for the first time In
the history of the Lloyd George ad-
ministration, inspired intimations ap-
pear in that portion of tho press which
supports former Premier Asquith that
in event Of the government being de-
feated there exists 'aps alternative @
breach."zt ~; " 81 W.
1t is confidently declared in the
same quarters that even; should the
ministry survive today. its days are
numbered. f'. -
On the government side. 1t is as
serted the premier has. a complete
answer to the accusations Of General
Maurice and that the debate will not
turn on technical procedure, but will
cussion Of the merits OF the case,
which certain important disclosures
relating to the extension Of the British
front In France by the fifth army
1t is understood that both Premier
Lloyd, George. and Chancellpr Bonas
Law viii make compfehsn4aye, states
l11ents replying, seriatimf IN an Of
gsnsEss saa;t ssrIss i E
piana1ise q aI;an Y nnss fsetors &c g sh his
y MeetingsSof .ttls unionisG ana. liberal
war committees were held last night
and tbs understood both decided to
support the government. The labor
party decided to await the trend of
the debate. AZ,
Among the minor points that have
arisen is the authorized statement that
General Maurice's letter was not
shown previous to its publication to
any soldier or politician. The anti
IL, ~ ,1Iythkf f1nt4
rules out the allegations of collusion
between General Maurice and Mr..
Premier Lloyd George was cheered
said lie had been, 9 treated q q ilfairly.
It g was the business ~ of General
Maurice to come to the cabinet and
point out where the ministers had
made mistakes. he declared. sa.
motion was carried Mr.. Asquith
would again be responsible for the
conduct Of the war.
Denying that the strength Of the
British fighting forces had been mis-
represented. as stated by General
Maurice. MIR. 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. t'-s
The demand made by Mr. 'Asquith
for a select committee was character
lied by the premier as without pre-
cedent in the history of the house.
| During the time General Maurice
was in Office and when he had access
| to information and to the ministers
| themselves, Mr.. Lloyd George said,
he never challenged statements OF
the ministers.
In regard to the comparison be
forces, the premier added, he was
| charged with misleading the public
but all the figures on which his state
ment was based came from General
Maurice's departm ent. So
'"The statement that three British
divisions were present in Egypt" he
explained, was made at a cabinet
meeting when General Maurice wAs
present and he never had corrected It.
IReEarding the extension of the Brit
! ish front, the premier went on, Cen
eral Maurice was at Versailles but
4 was not in the council chamber. He
was in a building outside with others
assisting the council. The extension
Of the front Of General Goug's army
! the premier declared. was never dis.
cussed at that council. and the extern
sion was an accomplished fact. before
/ the council met.
Mr.. Lloyd George said, was reluctant
to extend his line and 80 was the wal
cabinet. The extension. he added
Was In response TO- very great pres
sure from France. A ~ IS y .t .tt
The premier quoted from docu
ments from General Maurice's de
partment, dated nine days after tn,