The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-09
LLOYD GEORGE
TO FACE CRISIS
IN HOUSE TO-DAY
Will Answer Maurice's
Charge Impugning His
Veracity About Army.
BOOMERANG Is HINTED
French Said to Have Request
ed Extension Of British
Lines at Front.
BOOMERANG Is HINTED

Copyright. 1918: all riohfs reserved
LONDON, May S.--Premier Lloyd
George has decided TO stand or fall on
the outcome Of his reply tomorrow In
the House Of Commons to the charges
made by Major-Gen. +. b. Maurice that
the Ministers have deceived the public
as to military conditions on the western
front
After the Prime Minister'S statement.
according TO present indications. former
Premier Asquith will press his demand
that a select committee Of Parliament
be named to investigate the charges.
with power to Take evidence under oath.
The Government. which suggested yes
terday the appointment OF a court Of
honor consisting OF two judges to pass
on tho charges: changed its mind over
night: II has decided to treat Mr.. As
ouith's motion as vote Of no CONN.,
dence, and should Mr.. Asquith after the
Prime Minister'S explanation press his
motion TO a vote Parliament will have
to make a decision which will involve
the fate Of the Government.
Cannot Accept Suggestion.
The Government cannot. Of course. &C.
cept the suggestion that select commit
tee be appointed TO inquire into the &C
curacy Of statements by the Prime Min
lister and the leader Of the House
Neither Of the Ministers concerned could
remain In ONCE while such aiiesattons
~ were made BY Gen. Maurice were be.
ing Investigated by the committee. The
circumstances and the nature OF the
charges render It imperative that the al
legations must be refuted on the moor o'
the House Of Commons which body ther
must make a decision as to whether the
Governments explanations entitle 1t &c
continuance of the confidence OF the
country.
The defiant tone in which Chancellor
Bonar Law announced that disciplinar,
measures were to be taken against Gen
Maurice. who Is to be brought before the
army council. is taken to indicate thai
Premier Lloyd George has every inten
tion OF accepting Maurice's challenge Al
no the incorrectness Of his statement!
and Of fighting the matter out.
There Is reason to believe the Gov
erEment has a complete answer to thu
! charges. but there are certain conaden
rial matters particularly related to the
| extension Of the British front in France
which for obvious military reasons can
! not be disclosed. 1t is said. however
that this will not affect the convincing
nature OF the reply
Result OF French Requests.
| TIE Prime Minister will make
known that the extension OF the British
| line early this year was the result o
rcreated requests Of the French arm,
chiefs and that Premier Clemenceau saw
Field Marshal Haig personally about tn
natter. which was arrapSed withou
| reference at the time to the Versatile
council.
| 1t is believed that Gen. Maurice
statement that he was at Versailles whe
the inatter was arranged refers to
later decision. As to Gen. Maurice
charge OF the incorrectness Of the Pre-
mier's statement implying that Ger
Haiss fighting strength on the eve G
the great German offensive had not bee
diminished 1t will be shown that &c,
Maurice himself made statements OF tn
same import.
1t is doubtful II the Government wi
be able. for military reasons, to revei
the War Once figures on which thes
statements were based Sir Edwar
Carson. whose hostility to the Govern
ment is extremely marked. raised II
question yesterday as to now far II
formation revealed to Minister in II
Cabinet could be divulged, Bonar La
was of the opinion that legislation ws
not necessary to release Ministers ar
former Ministers from the obligation
secrecy in giving evidence In private, b'
no one contends that in a debate In Il
| Honuc ~ Cnmp,oOa Snch secrets C0il
be divulged
While the issue. broadly speaking, II
[ Continued MI &ccaud Pnac