Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-09
MAUR|CE'S CHARGES
DISCUSSED HERE
Likely to Bring Further Co.
Ordination Of U. s. Support
With Her Allies.
cRITIcIsE CRITICS METHOD

CRITICISE CRITICS METHOD
In his open letter charging Premier
Lloyd George and Andrew Bonar Law
with making misstatements before
parliament regarding the British forces
in France, Gen. Maurice has raised
questions about which oficials and
Army officers in Washington showed
marked interest today. because these
questions involve the nature Of Amer
ica's increased participation In the
war.
With respect to the issues involved
SO tar as they concern tho political
situation in Great Britain ohacials here
were unwilling to comment because
that Is England's affair.
But the purely military aspects of
the situation are Of great interest to
all allied governments, It was stated.
and in regard to those any Information
which 10 brought out in the course Of
the Investigations of Gen. Maurice's
charges may have . happy effect in
further co-ordinating the partIcipa-
ton of the United States and other
allies
Discuss Next q. 8. Step.
Now that every war-making branch
Of this government is committed to q
speeding up policy. officials have been
discussing Informally q second step
they believe the United States could
take in making her participation more
effective. That step rs the ascsrtaining
80 o. AeA1a ~
ticular needs, and ways in which other
allies are better equipped to bear GER
tain burdens.
Formerly there was hesitation about
expressing this view because there was
fear that the allies might construe 1t
that her own speeding UP might be &C
companied in some degree by slow
ing down on the allies part. But the
view seems to be gaining ground that
America has given splendid evidence OF
her discrimination to throw her re.
and in every field. Therefore the next
step Is to stress those departments in
which the United States can help most,
in order that her aid may be extended
to greatest possible advsnta g .,, ,..
ing to Gen. Maurice's statements lies In
the mere facts Of the extent Of Eng
lands available man power. irrespec-
tive OF any considerations OF now she
or distributed that man power
Differences Long Brewing.
Back Of the technical charges Of mac
curacy preferred by Gen. Maurice lie the
long time differences that have existed
in England refarding the disposition of
the army. Some Englishmen have favor
ed concentration on the western front;
others believed that certain troops
might be used more effectively In other
fields of action, especially in the east.
France naturally has favored the west
ern front concentration. Italy also con.
sidered the Dardanelles expedition and
some of the operations In Macedonia.
unwise. It was in the course of a de-
tense of the distribution Of the British
troops that the premier and Bonar Law
made the statements with which Gen.
takes issue.
With the merits of these policies in
the past the United States has no con-
Germ. But in the present crisis 1t is
important by officers here
that the allied forces on the western
front not only should be able to exert
a drive, but also should be able to fol-
low up either a drive Of their own or
a checking Of blow from the enemy
with a push" that Will enable them
initial success.
Cooperate for Best Effort.
Thus an army Of million men at
the front would require to back it up
at least 90 per cent more men
who are ready to so into action upon
CALL ard other men In various stages
Of training to take their places. To
assure such a backing up is consid-
cred a matter upon which the allies
must cooperate, and they are doing
80 to a greater and q greater extent.
The comparative neglect Of some
phases Of preparation. and emphasis
upon others, which sometimes is not
explicable to the civilian. may be
grounded upon this growing co-opera-
ton which seeks not only to make
each nation do its best. but to exert
Its best efforts where they will count
for most.
Thus Col Roosevelt's desire that the
United States dominate every field of
military activity 10 considered = laSA-
able ambition. but In that effort + Is
held that common sense account OF the
proportion of things should not be
Duplication of work In one
Held, while another form of effort was
Haig's Backing Up" Support.
Some officers here hold the view that
while Gen Maurice's specific charges of
naccuracy may be sustained the
broader implications of his letter that |
England was blind to any extent to tho |
drive on the western front will be
shown to be groundless. The question |
rests upon whether Gen. Haigs forces |
were backed up adequately, and here
arises the question Of what was ''ade- |
1uate" support. The support that !
seemed entirely adequate from what
had been expected by military men I
themselves from the Germans may not !
have proved wholly adequate in view
If what did happen.
Some military men are inclined to
.riticise the method Gen. Maurice took
If calling attention to the alleged dis
.repancies Of statement. They believe |.
hat the first quality in a soldier is alb
,olute. loyalty to his government. and
question his right. except upon most
grounds. of breaking into
,rint with criticisms of officers or civil
ans in responsible government posts.
There always are plenty of civilians
informed about military
matters. they hold. to sponsor needful
criticism.
Others believe that Gen. Maurice. in
rev Of his reputation and ability,
would not have taken the step unless
le at least believed it necessary