The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-08
Government Calls for Support
> in Vote Tomorrow.
Letter of General Maurice
Makes Grave Charges.
SITUATION IS MOST CRITICAL
Press Divided Over Matter, but
Agreed on Gravity.
Asquith Is Accused of Playing
for Political Gain.

London. May S.-As a consequence
of the political situation brought about
by General Maurice's letter, Premier
Lloyd George, according to the LOBBY
correspondent ofAthe Daily Telegraph,
considers it unavoidable to disclose
facts which have been withheld up 70
this time for military reasons me
premier, it is announced. INTENDS 10
give facts and figures when ne SPEAKS
on the Asquith motion on THURSDAY:
London, May S.-The government
has issued a summons to its support
ers requesting their attendance IN the
house of commons Thursday wnen
Mr.. Asouith will move a resolution
which If carried, will be a vote OF CEN
sure of the government ,r >,
IA division is absolutely cerIaln,
saws the call. According to the Pfess
association the proposal to reIer the
Maurice affair to two judges may De
regarded as withdrawn. as the sug-
restion did not appeal to the mouse
and its rejection by Mr.. Asquith ana
his followers rendered 1t worthless.
ON the other hand it is added 1t is
doubtful whether any form OF inquiry
would be held and it Is hkeiy the
premier will give the house the iul-
lest possible information CONSISTENT
with public safety, citing figures IN
proof of his statement of the relative
strength of the army IN Jahuaf ,
other matters involved in the state
ment of General Maurice, 1t is unner-
stood an explanation perfectly CON
sistent with both versions will be made.
Is Serious Crisis.
BY ED. L. KEEN.
London. May S.-The most serious
poIitical crisis in the life of the Lloyd
George government exists TO-DAY.
The situation, engendered by Cen en-
premier with lack of veracity, was
brought to a head by Herbert AS
uuith's motion in favor or the mousse
of commons investigating the charses'
instead of allowing the government 10
appoint two judges for that purpose.
Asouith's action amounts to dlrect
declaration of lack of confidence IN
the government.
I,lovd- George is likely to reply TO
Maurice. Political students generaly
plain satisfactorily. Nevertheless the
Incident tends to shake pubic contl-
dence until it is Strengthened out
Press Is Divided.
Altho divided along lines for and
against the government, the morning
press agrees on the seriousness OF sucn
a charge coming from Maurice, for
rner member of the general staff. They
hold the opinion it is challenge
which the government must meet I'M
rnediately or face the peril or weak
ened public confidence.
The Northcliffe press supports the
government. refusing to believe the
ministers deliberately deceived the
people.
The Times and the Mail favor the
gdvernment's method of investigation
Tie Mail believes Asquith thinks he
has found weapon with which to de-
stfey the present government and re-
tuth the old government-of which
4 hd was the head-to power. The
Daily News hopes commons will not
allow the issue to pass from its
hands" 1t understands the govern
| ment will not accept the Asquith mo-
ti@n but will treat it as vote of cen
| sure. Therefore, parliament will
| make decision which will involve the
life of the government"
Maurice May Be Punished.
The Post is bitterly opposed to the
| government. The Telegraph says:
/ The opposition, led by Asquith re-
/ CARDS the time ripe and is ready
1 totaccept the responsibility of office"
The Express. pro-government, de-
Il cf4res Maurice may be punished for a
4 grave infraction of military regula-
| tons in writing the letter.
The action of General Maurice, for
mer chief director of militarN opera
| fions at the war office in impugning
the veracity of ministers of the gov
eminent has created a most serious
political situation and one which is of
vital importance to the cabinets exist
ence, according to the views expressed
byseveral of the morning papers.
Is Political Move?
Papers which have consistently sup
ported the present administration rally
to. its side and insinuate or assert
openly that former Premier Asquith
ard his followers are back of General
Maurice and that the affair is ma
NEWER to Gust the Lloyd George cabi-
4 net and put in it's place a cabinet
headed by Mr.. Asquith, Viscount Grey
and the Marquis of Lansdowne.
thursdays debate/ the Daily TeIe-
grpph thinks, will be the most serious
that any of the government has had
to- face involving the question of its
continuance in power. The paper is
convinced that the ministers acted in
perfect good faith when they made the
statements which General Maurice
contradicts and believes they merely
. repeated information supplied by their
military advisers.
The Daily Telegraph believes the
country has complete and justifiable
cdnfidence in the government, but
/ adds:
s..There is no doubt that the oppo.
sition led by Mr. Asquith regards the
time as ripe for it to accept the
/ responsibility of office. 1t is for the
house of commons to choose. The
alternate government would be ex
| clusively radical one"
II Unknown by Soldiers.
THE Daily Mail. which strongly sup
parts Premier Lloyd George and il
/ strongly inimical to former Premie
Asduith, says the debate on Mr.
. Aequith's motion will afford him tn,
needed opportunity for an attempt t,
bring about a parliamentary crisis.
remarks that when Maurice said tina
/ no soldier had seen his letter he dit
/ not say that no politician had seen II
rThis omission the Daily Mai
/ adds. coupled. with Asquith's maneu
vars in parliament on Tuesday, sug
e&sts That the old gang believe it ha
found a weapon. which will destro,
-. Rovernment. We believe these in