The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-05-09
ASSOCIATED Press.)

London, May 9.--ln the house
Of commons today former Pre-
"a, rnisr, Asquith denied that bis mo-
ffon respecting the Maurice at
fair was designed to obtain a
vote Of censure Of the govern
rent, saying It was absurd to de-
scribe il as such. Should he find
il his duty to censure the gov
ernment, he said. he hoped that
he would have the courage to do
SO in direct and unequivocaI form.
Premier Lloyd George was
cheered loudly when he arose to
speak. He said he had been
treated unfairly. II was the bust
ness Of Gen. Maurice to come to
the cabinet and point out where
he declared.
Denying that the strength Of the
British fighting forces had been mis-
represented as stated by Gen. Maurice,
Mr.. Lloyd George asserted the figures
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.
The demand made by Mr.. Asquth
for a select committee was character
lied by the premier as without prece-
dent in the history Of the house. Dur
ina the time Gen. Maurice Was in Of.
flee and when he had access to infor-
nation and to the ministers them
selves. Mr.. Lloyd George said, he never
challenged statements Of the ministers.
Same as Maurice's Figures.
In regard to the comparison between
the enemy and the allied force, the
premier added, he was charged with
misleading the public, but all the fig
ures on which his statement was based
came from Gen. Maurice's dep partment.
The statement that three British di-
visions were present in Egypt, he ex-
planned, was made at a cabinet meet
ing when Gen. Maurice was present
and he never had corrected it.
Regarding the extension Of the Brit
ish front, the premier went on, Gen.
Maurice was at Versailles, but was not
in the council chamber. He was in
building outside with others, assisting
the council. The extension Of the front
Of Gen. Coughs army, the premier de-
elared, was never discussed at that
council, and the extension was an ac-
eepted fact before the council met.
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.
Mr.. LLOYD George said, was reluctant
TO extend his line and so was the war
cabinet. The extension. he AIDED, was
in response to very great pressure
from France.
Commanders Agreed.
The premier quoted from docu- |
ments from gen. Maurice's depart |
ment. dated nine days after the pre- |
mier's speech. in which the statement |
regarding the relative sizes Of the al !
lied and enemy forces had been made. |
the quotation being TO the effect that /
the Combatant strength OF the British
army was greater in January. 1918, /
than in January, 1917.
Field Marshal Hag. at one time.
was under the impression. Mr.. Lloyd
George declared. that the cabinet had
taken the decision as TO .he extern
sion of the line without his consent.
hut the imperial chief Of stan had
sent a memorandum explaining the
matter.
The military representatives NJ the
Versailles council had examined into
The proposals for the extension OF the
British line and had suggested a
the prenier stated. and
he extension took place under an
greement between Field Marshal
iaiE and Gen. Petsin. the French
commander.
Orenehed With Press Slop.
A judicial tribunal would have bccn
hest for an examination Of the facts. ,
said Mr. LLOYD George. n would have
been short and sharp and have given
! decision Immediately. He added
-Since ! have thrown myself into ]
he vigorous prosecution OF the war