New-York tribune., 1918-05-11

Prime Minister and his successor was
evident, and it appears to increase pro-
gresslvely with each of the clashes in
cident to their positions as head of the
government and leader of the opposi-
ton.
The status of the controversy as it
now stands is virtually that the de-
fence has been heard, but the accuser
has not. Whether he ever will be is
doubtful.
The case of General Maurice is in
the hands Of the Army Council, and
there seems little doubt that his dis
tlngulshed military career has been
ended by his own action.
The lobbyist Of "The Daily News"
says some of the Liberals who regu-
lary supported the government voted
against it on the ground that the issue
ought not to be made a question of
confidence. Most of the Conservatives
voted for the government because they
dld not wish to change the ministry,
fearing to involve the accession to
office of the Marquis of Lansdowne
and Arthur Henderson, thereby giving
a pacihst complexion to an Asquith
government.
The action of the House generally
accorded with the views various news
papers expressed previous to the Pre-
mler's statement in the House. The
staunch supporters of Premier Lloyd
George accept his statement. without
question. Those papers which urged
an inquiry treat the speech as having
a restricted value.
Among the former papers is "The
Daily Mail" which says that not a rag
Of General Maurice's pretentious in
dictment is left. and asks who again
will ever pay the least attention to
anything he says. 1t declares that
former Premier Asquith was outgen-
eralled and outfought.
The Premier's answer, says "The
Daily Telegraph" was complete and
overwhelming and showed that Cen
eral Maurice had not shadow of JUS
tlfication for any of his charges.
"The Daily Chronicle" voicing the
second view, says the issues were left
in the same mischievous obscurity as
the uncertainty in the mind of the
public. 1t declares the Premier's state
ment does not remove the serious dis
quiet from the mind of the army.
"The Daily News" refers to the Pre-
miers withdrawal of the plan of a
judicial inquiry as political jugglery
and says he burked the inquiry into
charges affecting British honor and
the honor of Parliament. 1t adds:
MAJOR General Maurice's charges
remain unaffected by this melodrama
and the public is left to laugh or
weep, according to its humor,, at the
latest achievement of political wiz
ardry"
Premier Lloyd George, says "The
Morning. Post" sought to substantiate
one series of one-sided and unsup-
ported statements by another series.
Because the House of Commons
chose to be satisfied with Mr.: Lloyd
Georges statement" it adds, %t does
not follow that the people outside the
House will be equally pliable. In this
matter, as in others, the Commons has
ceased to represent the nation.
The government survived another cmer-
gency, but under existing conditions il
must recur, and each succeeding crisis
leaves it weaker and more discredited.
"The Times" apparently converted
from some of its previously expressed
! views by the Premier's speech, drop!
its contention in favor of an inquiry
1t refers to the Premiers staggering
and startling revelations" with refer
ence to the statements of Major Gen
eral Maurice, whose whole case, it says
goes by default. 1t adds that it il
charitable to assume that Genera
Maurice was made the instrument o
more able and less honorable men, an,
thinks it hardly surprising that tn
House Of Commons should have re
fused so decisvely to hear any NOR,
of him.