Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-08

the British army In France was conslo-
erably stronger on January !, 1918 IMAM
It was on January l, 1917, adding:
That statement implies that Ha1gs
fighting strength on the eve OF tne
battle. beginning March 81. had not
peen diminished. That is not correct.
Gen. Maurice also denies the truth
of Premier Lloyd Georges assertion
that there was only one white DIVISION
in Mesopotamia and only three white
divisions in Egypt and Palestine.a
Not in Military Plot.
The former director of military oper-
htions forestalls the possible charge
that he is engaged in military con-
spiracy, and says he has not the least
desire to see the government In the
hands of soldiers.
grave step of writing this letter., ne
says, ARE that the statements referred
to are known by large number OF SOL
oilers to be incorrect. and this knoWl-
edge is breeding such diStruSt OF the
government as can only end in impair
ing the splendid morale of our troops
at time when everything possible
Should be done to raise 1t.
- have therefore decided, fully
realizing the consequences to mysei1,
that my duty as citizen must over
ride my duty as soldier. ana ask
You to publish this letter In the nope
That parliament will order an 1nVestl.
cation of the statements l have made.
Raises Two Questions.
Gen. NIaurice's letter" said Mr..
'Bonar Law, raised two questionable
question of military discipline involved
in writing such letter and the ques-
tion of veracity of ministerial statements:
= AS regards the first question. that is
Sheine dealt with by the army council
I'm the ordinary way. AS regards the
rsecond question. though 1t must De
obvious 10 the house that the govern
Gment could not be carried on If an
Inquiry into the conduct OF ministers
eshould be considered necessary when
sever their action was challenged by
Servant of the government who has
occupied a position of the highest con-
slidence, it affects the honor of the min
sisters. and it is proposed to invite two
sdure into the charge of Measurements
6alleged to have been made by the MIN
listers. and to report as quickly as pos
9sible.
Comment of Press.
g LONDON. May S-The action of Gen.
ssbfaurice former chief director of mill
.tary operations al the war office, In
slmpugning the veracity of" ministers
.spf the government, has created most
easeriouS political situation and one which
is of vital Importance to the cabinets
eexistence, according to the views eX-
o1TeSSeu by several VI Tic AO1 uiA6
newspapers.
= Papers which have consistently sup
eported the present administration rally
ssto it's side and insnuate or assert
Openly that former Premier Asquith
ssand his followers are back of Gen.
sskfaurice and that the affair is ma
Eneuver to Gust the Lloyd George cabinet
~and put in its place a cabinet headed
eby Mr.. Asquith. Niscount Grey and the
marquis of Lansdowne.
3 Thursdays debate, the Daily Tele-
egraph thinks. will be the most serious
.of any the government has had to face
Involving the question of it's continu-
lance in power. The paper is convinced
sthat the ministers acted in perfect
good faith when they made the state
.ments which Gen. Maurice contradicts
eand believes they merely repeated in
sformation supplied by their military
ADVISERS. The Daily Telegraph believes
6fhe country has complete and justi-
ssfia BILE confidence in the government, but
adds: