Bisbee daily review., 1918-05-08
ALL ENGLAND
 STIRRED OVER GENERALS ACT
Maurice Charges Premier and Bonar Law Gave House of Commons Misstatements in Regard to Size of Army.
CBy Review Leased vyrre,

- by Review Leased Wire1
 LONDON, May 7.-Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor of the excheoeuer. who is spokesman for the war cabinet in the house of commons since the premier's duties in managing the war do not give him time for constant at- tendencc in parliament, told the house -thls afternoon that the cabinet had de- cided to entrust to a commission of two judges the investigation of the charges which General Frederick B. Maurice, former chief director of miH- tary operations at the British war off, fice made. that the cabinet had de eeived thz country in parliament about the army in France.
 Of all the remarkable and unexpect- ed events which the war has evolved none surpasses the situation precipi- tated by one of the most distinguished generals of the army. General Maur- ice acted on the plea that my duty as citizen must override my duty as a soldier"
 Army Backs Maurice
 This was a direct challenge to all rules of military discipline and tech nically more fragrant Offense in time of war than in peace times. No one knows this better than General Maur- ice. who described it in his letter as "a very grave step" and indicated his willingness to suffer the consequences.
 Mir. Bonar Law refused to give as- surances that the disciplinary meas ures against General Maurice would be suspended pending the result of the investigation. General Maurice has strong support from the portion Of the army behind him: how strong remains to be seen. Critic of the premier have accrsed him of trying to shoulder upon the army what they allege to have been his mistakes and a news paper controversy has been going on since the beginning of the German of fensive. which may be described as the army against the politicians. the gist of which has been that the war cabinet has overridden its military ad. visors in matters of strategy and es- pecially in regard to the military de mands for men on the western front This quarrel has come to a crisis which now is likely to be settled and the air cleared.
 Relieved of Positlon
 General Maurice is one of the fore most military authorities and military historians of the war He was recent ly relieved of his position as director and it was understood that he was then being transferred to an important position in France. No notice of an- other assignment has been sssued. however. so apparently none was made
 The letter of General Maurice was written to the morning papers in which it appeared today. It charges BOnar Law and Premier Lloyd George with having made misstatements in the house of commons with reference to military matters.
 General Maurice recalls that Bonar Law on April 23 said the extension Of the British front in France was not dealth with by the Versailles war cOun- cil and asserts that the chancellor's statement is incorrect. He declared
 Deelaers Army Weaker
 ''I was at Versailles when the duee ton was decided by the council to which it had been referred.
 General Maurice then traverses Premier Lloyd Georges assertion on April 9 that the British army in France was considerably stronger on January 1. 1918. than 1t was on January 1. 1Sl l- adding:
 That statement implies that Haig's fighting strength on the eve of the battle beginnins March 2l had not been diminished. That is not cor rect"
 General Maurice also denies the truth of Premier Lloyd Georges asser- ton that there was only one white division in MesODotamia and only three in Egypt and Palestine,