El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-05-10

event which has assumed the importance Of crisis
n is that clash between Gen Frederick Maurice former
director Of operations IN the British office and the
Lloyd George has won in the first exchange but there is
The eruption occurred when Gen Maurice having been
sumay removed from his post addressed letter to the
London newspapers IN which be made serious accusations
against members Of the ministry, especially premier David
Lloyd George and Andrew BOnar Law, chancellor Of the in
Cen Mauricg renewed the old charge so often made BY
British army officers Of blUndering civilian interference
with military operations, but he went much farther Al
most many words he accused members Of the minis
Try Of fasehoods made public deceive the people Of the
allied countries. Especially he denied the truth Of the
rers recent assertion that field marshal Hags forces
the beginning Of 1918 strong at the begin
ming Of 1917 He also branded fasehood the statement
from the that there wss but white division
MesOpoamia and only two three IN Egypt and Paes
tine And declared that the policy Of interference by
the civilian ministry has had baneful influence the
conduct Of the Previously Gen Maurice while still IN
the war otoe, had contradcted the prelers optimistic
statements with regard to the German offensive in the
vest by declaring that the British army awaited the
rival Of Buecher implying the cause was hopeless unless
BuscheT did arrive. He meant the French Ienforcements.
In sending his letter to the London papers, Gen Maurice
explained that duty as citizen OVERRIDE duty as
soldier In other words his duty soldier oounseed him
silence matter Of discipline but his duty citi-
urged him to speak for the nations good.
Now the curious situation has arisen that both the min
ty and Gen Maurice the defensive. The ministry
must rue the generals statements stand convicted Of
dupcty which conviction inevitably would result in the
overthrow OF the cabinet Gen Maurice on the defensive
because charges have been preferred against him and he
must reue them be convicted Of INSTRUMENTATION. The
general is In grave danger Of being convicted for the
fact Of having made the charges, because British authOr
ties expressed the opinion that every single
assertion made By Gen Maurice tue nevertheless max
ing them he guilty Of characterization to such extent
that be be punished Otherwise, 1t Is argued the
discipline Of the British army would be undermined
Observers IN this dispute between the general and
the ministry revival Of hitherto partly concealed
t between the military and the civilian leaders, each de-
sug control the operation Of the army. It is existent
= many countries not IN al In some It takes the form
trying shape the policies Of the government as for
instance il Germany where in 1917 the military element
headed by HindenbuTg and LudendorH and the
civilian faction by chancellor Bethmsnn- Howeg This
year there only the difference that the civilian element
Is headed by d.. Richard Keuhmann In France the
struggle last year between Rbot and Painleve, pre-
mers and Nivee. Petsin and F0oh In the United States
# exists only the mild form Of lack Of confidence the
part Of army officers IN the ability Of the secretary
Of waL
In England Gen Maurice stands in the role Of spokes-
nan for the British army seeking to free itself from what
II considers the hampsrng influence Of civilian ministers
unsed IN strategy and ignorant Of vital aspects Of the
experienced by the officers and IN the field
We look forward with certainty an interesting
series Of discussions as both sides endeayor to carry their