Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-05-15
Commons Votes Confidence After
Premier Refutes Maurice
Charges.
WINS BY VOTE OF 293 TO 1O6
Declares Army Figures Were From
Records and Are True-Asquith's
Inquiry Motion Is
Beaten.


a select committee to investigate the
charges made by General Maurice
against Premier Lloyd-George was re-
iected in the house of commons by
vote of 293 to LOG. Sir Edward Carson,
leader of the Irish unionists, appealed
to Mr.. Asquith not to proceed with his
motion. Sir Edward said that If the
yeracity of the ministers was not be-
lieved in the house there was not long
err 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.
In 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
ish 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 been
the best for an examination of the
facts, said Mr.. Lloyd-George 1t would
have been short and sharp and have
given a decision Immediately. lie
added:
Since l have thrown myself into
the vigorous prosecution of the war
/ have been drenched with cocoa
press slop."
The cocoa press" is the Daily
News group Of newspapers controlled
by Quakers, formerly the premierS
strongest supporters.
The premier declared such contrO
versies as the present one were dis
tracing and paralyz1ng.
II beg that they may come 10 an
end he added. National unity and
the army are threatened. The Ger
mans are preparing the biggesS blow
of the war, and beg and implore that
there shall be an end to this sniping."
Premier Asquith denied that his
motion respecting the General Maur-
ice affair was designed to obtain a
vote of censure of the, government
saying it was absurd to describe it as
such.
"Get on With War" Is Cry.
The suggestion was made by Mr..
Asquith that an investigation be made
by no-party committee of five mem
bers, which probably would be able
to reach decision that would be re-
spected by the house and the country
in two or three days.
"What is the alternative" he
asked
"Get on with the war;" G. B. Stan
ton, labor leader, interrupted. TINS
interjection was greeted with loud
cheers.
Mr.. Asquith responded that the best
way to get on with the war was 10
clear away misconceptions and mis-
understandings which might have Do
foundation but created doubt in the
mind of everyone.
May Be Court-Martialed.
The Evening News declared that "
understands Gen. Maurice, former u
rector of military operations, Will 10
eourt-martialed because of his accuse.
lions against Lloyd George and Bonai
Law.