The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-05-08
ASQU|TH IS BACK
or MAURICE MOVE,
LONDON BELIEVES
Vote in Commons Thursday
Test of Lloyd George,
BIG FACTS TO BE GIVEN
Military Secrets Must Be Re-
veaIed,' Correspondent Says,

LONDON. May 8.-Andrew Borar
Law, chancellor OF the cxchequcr who
IS spokesman for the war cabinet in
the house Of commons since the pre-
micr's duties in managing the war do
not give him time for constant attend
ance in parliament. told the house yes
terday that the cabinet had decided TO
cntruSt To a commission Of two Judges
the investigation OF the charges which
Gen. Frederick r. Maurice, former
military director of operations at the
British war office. made that the cabi-
net had deceived the country in parlia-
ment about the army in France
Wants Parliamentary Inquiry.
Ex-Premier Asquith, who is always a
supporter Of parliamentary traditions
led the faction in the house which in
sisted that the investigation be made
by parliamentary committee
Mr.. Bonar Law stood firm for a Judi
cial inquiry on the ground that the
deepest secrets of the conduct of the
war were involved ard the cabinet did
not wish to reveal them TO a committee
which might not safeguard them as the
Judges would
Asquth Backs Move.
Papers which have consistently sup
ported the present administration rally
to its side and insinuate, or assert
| A 1.
and his followers are back Of General
Maurice and that the affair is a man
euser to oust the Lloyd George cabi-
net and put in It's place a cabinet
headed by Mr., Asquith. viscount Grey
and the MARQUIS of Lanadowpe. Thhn-
days debAte the Telegraph thinks. will
be the most serious that the government
has had to face The paper is con.
vinced that the ministers acted in per-
feet good faith when they made the
statements which General Maurice CON
tradicts and believes they were merely
repeated information supplied by their
military advisers.
Will Debate Thursday.
There will be a debate on the ques-
tion Thursday and in the meantime it
passes into the realm Of speculation
Talk was rhe about Westminster that
the government may be overthrown on a
test vote on this technical phase OF
the question.
As a consequence of the political
situation brought about by General
Maurice's letter, Premier Lloyd
George, according to the lobby
correspondent of the Daily Tele-
graph, considers II unavoidable to
disclose facts which have been
withheld up to this time for military
reasons. The premier, 1t Is an
nounced, intends to give facts and
figures when he speaks on the As
quith motion on ThursdS.
OF an the remarkable and unexpected
events which the war has evolved none
surpasseS the situation preoipitated by
one Of. the more distinguished generals
OF the British army. General Maurice
acted on the plea that my duty as a
citizen must override my duty as a
soldier"
This was a direct challenge to all
rules of military discipline. No one
knows hlis better than General Maurice
who described it in his letter as "a
very grave step" and indicated his
willingness to suffer the consequences.
Mr.. Bonar Law refused to give as
surance that the disciplinary measures
against General Maurice would be sus-
pended pending the result OF the inves-
tigation.
Serious Situation Created.
The action of General Maurice, in
impugning the veracity OF ministers OF
the government, has created a most
serious political situation and one
which is of vital importance to the
cabinets existence, according to the
views expressed by several OF the morn
ing papers.
Faith in Lloyd George.
The Daily Telegraph believes the
country has complete and justifiabls
confidence in the government, but adds
There is no doubt but that the
opposition led by Mr. Asquith re-
CARDS the time as ripe for il to ac-
cept the responsibility Of office
| II is for the house Of commons to
choose. The alternative government
would be exclusively a radical one"
The Daily Mail, which strongly sup
ports Premier Lloyd George and is
strongly inimicsl TO former Premier
Asquith, says the debate on Mr.. As
quith's motion will afford him the
opportunity for an attempt to bring
about a parliamentary crisis
New Political War.
Mr. Asquith's intervention indi-
Gates that the political truce is now
at an end. We must anticipate a
new political struggle oentering
i