Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial. (Wilmington, Del.) 1878-1928, 1918-05-10
GEORGE UPHELD;
SWEEPS COMMONS,
VOTE is 293 TO 1O6
Refutes Charges of Inaccurate
Statements and Resents
Conduct of General
Maurice.
WINS A GREAT VICTORY
,oNDoN NAV 10

AN unpleasant incident when nau caused
more political bitterness than any pre-
ceding chapter of this troubled admins
tration. was brought about by a sudden
change of tactics on the part OF the cabi-
net.
Premier 1.lovd George again showed
himself = keen political strategiSt and 4
strong leader for his own cause He
withdrew the cabinet : proposition for n
court az honor TO deal with the charges OF
Naiorl General Maurice. which Andrew
Bonar Law. on Tuesday, said concerned
the honor of the ministers. The premier
made II clear that adoption OF former
Premier Asquith's motion for select
committee 10 investigate the matter
would bc regarded as vote Of censure
which would be followed by the govern
nCnt'S resignation.
Mr. Llovd George detailed in a burning
speech his version Of the controversy
which Najor-G General Maurice began
The debate was brief and the premier $
explanation was lis dominating feature.
MAJORITY LARGER THAN EXPECTED.
The cabinet rode safely over the crisls
hy a vote Of 293 to iO6. The majority
was even larger than newspapers had
predicted and shows that the House Of
Commons, at least. Is not for change Of
government which would have been the
result oi adopting Mr. Asduith' proposal
Former Premier Asquths speech was
short. lie expressed surprise that the
government would take his motion for
investigation by a committee as vote
ii rcnsurp. and had the House with HIM
when ne rehukcd Chancellor Bonar Law
Tor asserting that members could not to
found Who would give 2 non-partiSan
judgment
Tho principal point Of tho premier ;
defence was that the disputed statements
had been based on information furnished
lv MaIor-( General Maurice department
II the War office and that MaJor-t General
Maurice never had questioned them while
nc was ia daily conferences With the
cabinet. lie asserted that General
Maurice had ceased to hold office for
good or bad reasons.
Personal feeling between tho former
prime minister and his successor Was cvl-
dent and il appears to increase progressive
II with each 1T the clashes incident to
heir positions aS head Of the government
and leader ot the opposition
Prcmc~ Lloyd George was cheercd
IoudIv when ne arose 10 speak lie said
hc had been treated unfairly II was
he business Of General Maurice I'd come
% the cabinet and point out where the
ministers had made mistakes he de-
clared.
DENYING that the strength Of the
British fighting forces had been ms
represented. a. stated by General Maui
rice Mr. How'd George asserted the
figures which he had gwen were taken
from official records al the War Othce.
Since that time he had made inquiries
on this point he added. and the figures
were not inaccurate.
The demand made ny Mr. Asquith for
a select committee Was characterized ny
the premier Is without precedent IN the
history a. the House
During the time General Maurice was
in Office and when he had access to in
formation and 10 the ministers them
selves, Mr. Llovd George SAID, he never
challenged statements OF the ministers.
In regard Ia the comparison between
the enemy and the allied forces, the
premier added, he was charged with
misleading the public. but all the figures
on which his statement was based came
from General Maurice department.
The statement that three British d.
visions were present in Egypt, he eX-
planned. was made al cabinet meeting
when General Maurice was present, and
he never corrected II.
TELLS or ARMY EXTENSION
Regarding the extension Of the British
front. the premier went on General
Maurice was Al Versailles, but was not
IN the council chamber He was In q
building outside with others, assisting
the council The EXTENSION Of the front
OF General Coughs army, the premier
declared, was never discussed ~ that
council. and tho extension WAS al accom-
pIIshed fact before the council met
Field Marshal >ir Douglas Hsig Mr.
Llovd George SAID, WAS reluctant - eX-
tend has line and 50 was the war cabi-
net The extension, be added was in
response 10 very great pressure from
France
The premier quoted from documents
from General Aiaurices department,
dated zine DAYS after the premier :
speech Ia which the statement regard
ing the relative sizes 81 tic allied and
enemy forces had been made, the quota
ton being TO the effect that the COIN
Blatant strength Of the British army was
greater in January. 1918, than II Jan
uary, 1917.
Field Marshal Hang At one time was
under the impression. Mr. Lloyd George
declared. tildt tiIt cdbinet iit1u Ldht-I
the decision as to the extension Ot the
line without his consent but thc I'M
perlal chief Of staff had sent mcmOTan-
dun explaining the matter.
The military representatives 1t thf
Versailles council had examined INTO
hc proposals for the extension d the
British line and had suggested com
promise, the premier STA ted, and the eX-
tension took place under an agreement
between Field Marshal Hang and Cen
erai Petaln. the French commander.
A judicial tribunal would have been
he best Tor All examination Of the facts,
SAID MIR Lloyd George ii would have
been short and sharp and have gwen
a decision immediately lie added:
Since ! 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 Quak-
ers, formerly the prcmier's strongest
supporters.
MAURICE MAINTAINED SILENCE.
1t was General Maurlces duty. the
premier asserted, to tell the ministers
they had erred IN iii important state
n1ent Of facts Hc bad never heard a
syllable OF the matter until lie saw il
IN the newspapers Ilc would ask the
House to give i Judgment respecting it
today
Mr. Lloyd George said General Maur-
ICE IN the absence 81 the chief Of staff ,