The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-05-09
not
CONSIDERING
CENSuRE OF
GOVERNMENT
Motion to Investigate Maur-
ice Affair Not Intended to
Bring Vote Against Admin
istration, Ex-premier Says.
IRISH DESIRE CHANGE
(By Associated Press)


LONDON. May 9.-Premier Lloyd
George was cheered loudly when he
arose to speak. He said he had been
, treated unfairly. 1t was the business
of General Maurice to come to the
cabinet and point out where the min
listers had made mistakes, he declared.
Denying that the strength of the
British fighting forces had been mis-
represented as stated by General Mau-
rice, 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 inquiry
on this point, he added, and the fig
ures were not inaccurate.
The demand made by Mr. Asquith
for select committee was character
lied by the premier as without prece-
dent in the history of the house.
During the time General Maurice
was in office and when he had access
to information and to the ministers
themselves. Mr.. Lloyd George said, he
never challenged statements of the
ministers.
Mr.. Lloyd George. said that if the
Asquith motion was carried Mr.. AS
Quith would again be responsible for
the conduct of the war.
(By Associated Press)
LONDON. May 9.-In the House of
Commons today former premier AS
quith denied that his motion respect
ing the Maurice affair was designed to
obtain vote of censure of the govern.
ment, saying 1t was absurd to de-
scribe it as such. Should he find it
his duty to censure the government,
he said, he hoped he would have the
courage to do so In direct and uneQuiv-
ocal form.
Moving his motion for the appoint
ment of q select committee to investi
gate the charges made by General
Maurice Mr. Asquith said he thought
1t was not the business Of parliament
to constantly inquire into the conduct
of successive phases Of war. The
House of Commons, he added, had
more than enough of inquiries already
WILL WEATHER STORM
LONDON, May 9.-Although indica-
tions are that the government will
weather today's storm it is interest
ing to note that for the first time in
the history of the Lloyd George admin
istration inspired intimations appear
in that portion of the press which sup
ports former premier Asquith that in
event of the government being defeat
ed there exists IAN alternative govern
ment ready to step into the breach"
1t is confidently declared in the same
quarters that even should the minis
try survive today, it's days are num-
bered. On the governments side it is
asserted the premier has a complete
answer to the accusation of General
Maurice and that the debate will not
turn on technical procedure but will
be what is described as an open discus
sion of the merits of the case with
certain important disclosures relating
to the extension of the British front in
France by the fifth army.
1t is understood that both Premier
Lloyd George and Chancellor Bonar
Law will make comprehensive state
ments replying to all of General Maui
rice's points leaving it to Mr.. Asquith
if he considers their explanation un-
satisfac actory to push his motion to
division.
IRISH WANT TRANSFER.
(By Associated Pr,ss)
LONDON, May 9.-Irish nationalist
newspapers, says a dispatch to the
Times. from Dublin, are taking the
most lively interest in the parliamen-
tary crisis, the nationalists obviously
praying for transfer of the govern
ment to hands which would refuse to
enforce ccnscription in Ireland
The Freeman's Journal. it is added,
describes the letter of Major General
Maurice as ray of hope and says
that unless the ministers can clear
themselves, they must go or must di-
vert the interest OF the British public
by sensation.
LONDON, May Safeguarding the
withdrawal of Major General Maurice
from the war Office, the Times. says it
was "superceded.' 1t adds that it is
understood that pending his appoint
ment to post in France. tn egen-
eral was allowed to retain his pay and
continue to work in collaboration with
Major General Padecliffe, his success
sor, as chief of military operations.
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