The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-10
LLOYD-GEORGE
IS INDICATED
Commons Votes Confidence After
Premier Refutes Maurice
Charges.
WINS BY VOTE OF 2s3 TO 1o6
Declares Army Figures Were From
Records and Are True-Asquiths
Inquiry Motion is
Beaten.

London. May 1O.-Ex-Premier AS
Quith's motion for the appointment OF
select committee to investigate the
charges made by General Maurice
against Premier Lloyd-George was re-
jected in the house Of commons by
vote Of 293 to 100. Sir Edward Carson
leader Of the Irish unionists. appealed
to Mr.. Asquith not to proceed with his
motion. Sir Edward said that II the
veracity of the ministers was not De
lieved In the house there was not long
es any possibility of carrying on the
government.
Premier Flags Critics.
Mr.. Lloyd George said that If the
motion was carried Mr.. AsQuith would
again be responsible for the conduct
OF the war.
Premier Lloyd-George was cheered
loudly when he arose to speak. He said
he had been treated unfairly. 1t was
the business of General Maurice to
come to the cabinet and point out
where the ministers had made mis-.
takes, he declared.
Denying that the strength of the
British fighting forces had been mis-
represented as stated by General Maui
rice, Mr. Lloyd-George asserted the fig
ures 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.
Maurice Furnished Figures.
h regard to the comparison between
the enemy and the allied forces, the
premier added, he was charged with
misleading the public, but all the fig
ures On which his statement was based
came from General Maurices depart
ment.
The statement that three British di-
visions were present in Egypt, he ex-
planned, was made at a cabinet meet
ing when General Maurice was present
and he never had corrected 1t.
Regarding the extension Of the Brit
ISL front, the premier went on, General
Maurice was at Versailles, but was not
In the council chamber. He was In a
building outside with others, assisting
the council. The extension of the
front of General Coughs army the pre-
mier declared, was never discussed at
that council, and the extension was an
accomplished fact before the council
met.
France Asked Extension.
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig
Mr.. Lloyd George said, was reluctant
to extend his line, and so was the
war cabinet. The extension, he added
was in response to very great pres
sure from France
A judicial tribunal would have beer
the best for an examination Of the
facts, said Mr.. Lloyd-George 1t woulG
have been short and sharp and have
given a decision Immediately. HI
added:
"Since l have thrown myself int
the vigorous prosecution Of the wal
/ have been drenched with 'cocos
press slop."
The cocoa press" is the Dali,
News group of newspapers controlled
by Quakers, formerly the PREMIER
strongest supporters.
The premier declared such contro
versies as the present one were dis
tracing and paralyz1ng.
81 beg that they may come 70 al
end,' he added. National unity AM
the army are threatened The Ger
mans are preparing the biggest blow
of the war, and beg and implore tha
there shall be an END to this sniping.
Premier Asquith denied that hi
motion respecting the General Maur
ice affair was designed to obtain
vote Of censure of the government
saving 1t was absurd to describe it a
such.
"Get on With War" Is Cry.
The suggestion was made by MI
Asquith that an investigation be mad
by a no-party committee of five mem
bers, which probably would be abb
to reach decision that would be re
spected by the house and the countr
in two or three days.
what is the alternative?" h
asked
sect on with the war!" G.. B. Star
ton, q labor leader, interrupted. Thi
interjectiOn was greeted with lou
cheers.
Mr.. AsQuith responded that the bes
way to get on with the war was t
clear away misconceptions and mi.
understandings which might have o
foundation but created doubt In tn
mind Of everyone.
May Be Court-Martiaied.
The Evening News declared that
understands Gen. Maurice. former d