1918-05-13 — Page 5

Page

SUNDAY'S CABLES

THE "MAURICE" SENSATION.

THE DEBATE IN THE COMMONS.

THE PREMIER'S EXPLANATIONS.

(Reuter's Service to the China Mail)

PREMIER'S EXHAUSTIVE-

EXPLANATION,

OVERWHELMING DEFEAT OF MR. ASQUITH'S MOTION.

LONDON, May 9, In continuation of os speech in the

George, "nine days after my speech. (Load cheers). As regards General Maurice's second statement dealing with the comparison between the Allied and onemy forces, I have been charged with misleading the public by leading the public to believe that at the time the

FACTS EXPLAINING THE

EXTENSION.

Proceeding, Mr. Lloyd George out lined the principles laid down by Sir William Robertson, which the Cabinet accepted, namely: Firstly, they accepted in principle that there must be an extension of the British line; secondly,

that the time and extent must be left to the two Commandors-in-Chief

British

form the subject of conferences with the Army. The Premier added that it the Anglo-American Freas Asso- French. War Crom on Allied Governments. In these circum was not so much a question of theciation, emphasised the loyalty Major, pinning on the decoration in stances the War Cabinet fear that until length of the line as the question of with

which Field Marshal

Sir the midst of a fight, One French this policy is settled it will be premature reserves massed behind.

Douglas Hoig, who was an old battery fired until every gun was dis to decide finally whether the British front can be extended by four divisions

triend of his, placed his services at abled and the officers and halt the men serving the guns were killed dr or to a greater or less extent than this."

There were two general on the disposal of Generalissime Foch.

wounded. The Premier added that that was siderations to which must This loyality was dua to his absolute communicated to Sir Douglas Haig and

ARMY'S DISCIPLINE.

te

In several instances in the recent fighting the Germans were sing captured British aeroplanes, or their

refer. Regarding the sect of confidance in Generalissima Foch was never departed from. After that action, such as Genèral Maurice'a. Similar loyality was felt by all Field. thirdly, no extension was possible until came the Cambrai. incident and the on the discipline of the Army, it was | Mamahal Sir Douglas Haig's officers. own marked like the British, thes the offensive was over: fourthly, the send troops from France and making it

a fingiant breach of discipline. Mr. Lord Derby was convinced that the line to be taken over must depend difficuit for Sir Douglas Haig to carry Premier respectfully expressed his

Asquith bad admitted it. The unified Command was the surest upon the military policy for 1918

out the promise given to General Petain

roud to victory, which would not be

Italian disaster, necessitating us to

........

and upon the role assigned to those for a certain extension, which was not / opinion that Mr. Asquith ought to occurred. Then M. Clemenceau came was a vote of censure on the Govern a large sa the one that subecquently deprecate it. Mr. Asquith a motion long in being traversed. into office and insisted that the British ment, which could not possibly cen. Army take over the fine. We maintained tinue operations if it was carried. that it was a matter to be discussed by and Mr. Asquith would then be the Commander-in-Chief. Ultimately My responsible for the Government. Clemenceau enggested that the matter (Cries of "No." and cheers, and should be examined by the military

armies. Everyone would admit that those were sound principles (cheers) and the Cabinet accepted them without demur. They had never departed from them during the whole of the negotin tions. There was a meeting last year at Boulogne between himself, Sir William Fock, which was summoned to discuss

Robertson, M.« Painleve and General

House of Commons (the first portion of attack occurred the Allier position on a question affecting the Foreign Office representatives at Versailies and that

WY very

which was published in last night's Chiara Mally the Premier sail 19 regards the extension of the front the

were involved, it Allies difficult to discuss it without risk of offending their susceptibilities. That was one reason why he was exceedingly sorry the controversy had arisen. A Select Committee was not the best tribunal for the investigation of facts The when passions were aroused. House of Commons case to a similar decision long ago as regards election petitions. Mr. Asquith had come to that conclusion as regard Mesopotamia A Select Committee was then suggested, which Mr. Asquith deprecated for

a

a

the Western Front was that we had slight superiority in infantry, a con, siderable superiority in cavalry and superiority in artillery. The whole of these figures were based on statements made by General Maurice."

FRENCH GOVERNMENTS.

DEMAND.

at which A. Painleve raised the question

the Versailles Council decide if a

difference of opinion arose.

LATER.

Mr. Lloyd George, continuing his speech in the House of Commons,

of the extension of the front. He, Mr. Lloyd George, was unprepared. There fore, ho told Sir William Robertson that it was a matter with which he must deal, and the whole matter was handled by said the Military representatives at Sir William Robertson and he laid down Versailles examined the question and those principles, which were heartily the Cabinet communicated with Sir approved by the Cabinet. In con

MAJOR-GENERAL MAHON.

DEPARTURE FROM IRELAND:

LONDON. May 10. Major-General Sir Bryan Mabon has announced his impetuling depar-

"Wait and see.")

The Premier emphasised that it tus from Ireland.

was essential to deprecate action Eke

[General Maurice's, which was not merely a breach of the King's Re- gulations. General Maurice occu- pied a high position. Supposing a Regimental' other or an ordinary soldier acted similarly, what would have been said:

1

OTHER SPEECHES.

SCOTTISH BOLSHEVIST CONSUL

SENTENCED.

FIVE YEARS' IMPRISONMENT FOR SEDITION,

Loxboy, May 10.

John Mclean, the Scottish teach- Sir Edward Carson said it was er, who was the Bolshevist Consul. was sentenced at Glasgow to five years' rigorós imprisonment for

The Fremier continued that the sequence of the matter "eing discussed William Robertson and Field-Maraha!

at this conference, Sir Douglas Haig Sir Douglas Haig, urging the import-ridiculous to ask Judges to decide a statement regarding the Divisions in

got the impression that some decision

ance of making a very strong British question which involved the Pre- Mesopotamia and Egypt was made to

was reached without his consent the War Cabinet in the presence Consequently Sir William Robertson cuse for presentation at Versailles. mier's honour, but he appealed to sedition. of General Maurice, who made, bodrew up the following memorandum. That was the only interference as far Mr. Asquith not to insist on an correction.

between the Prime

At the recent Boulogne Conference as the British Cabinet was concerned. enquiry by a Committee. Nothing more disastrous could be content- Minister, M.

The Military representatives at Ver-

pluted. question of the extension of front was

sailles suggested a compromise be- raised by the French representative." tween the British und French views, The Premier then drew attention coupling with them the recom to the following words in the memo-mendation as regards the steps

Regarding the extension of front,

Versailles. That was true; but the implication was that he was at that meeting. He was det thore. He was

'reasons which he. Mr. Royd George. General Maurice stated he was at Painleve, General Foch and myself the i

Judges were considered right customed to examine facts, and could give a short sharp decision. Since Tuesday

bad become clear from the pro-Asquithin a building outside with several others

Brigadier-General H. Page Croft (Unionist M.P. for Christchurch) accused the Premier of bluffing the Flouse.

Lord Hugh Cecil said Mr. Lloyd

UKRAINE'S WAR ON RUSSIA.

GENERAL SKOROPADSKY'S

securing immunity from the French guns, swooping down on groups of French officers and machine-gunning them at a hundred yards' range.

The French Division paid a heavy toll for its victory; but it has stop", ped dead the enemy offensive against the Flemish Hill wince April 29th. The Germans have scarcely stirred except in response to French attacks. So completely was the enemy beaten. that men who went through the battle are confident that he will int try a frontal attack on Scherpenberg-

CAPTURED BY BRIGANDS.

RELEASED AFTER 52 DAYS.

MANIFESTO.

Moscow, May 10. General Skoropodsky, the inveter-I

(Shanghai) writing from Yenchens, Ho

A correspondent of the China Press

man on April 27th says: Early yesterday from Wayang that Mr. Kyle had reb afternoon Mr. Bitchcock received word.

ed there at 5 p.m. on April 25. A few of us rode out to Wuyang Road to meet and welcome the released engineer- When about 12 or 15 li from Yencheng, we met the party son Mr. Kyle was safe and well protected. He, together with Mr. Hitchecek and the other friends, who had been here for seven weeks of 20 in connection with the core, left for Peking by the express hist night-

During conversation with Mr. Kyle learned something of his privations during the fifty-two days of bia captivity.

press that no statement, no decision of who were present to assist various randum in view of the statement that which ought to be taken by the George's speech was more effective ate enemy of the Bolshevike, in a He estimates he walked from 1,200 to, any secret tribunal in the world would Generals; but he was not in the Council the Government overruled Sir Douglas! be accepted. The Gorrentient had, Chamber when the question was dis

the public and let the public judge

Haig and Sir William Robertson: French to assist if the British were

.19 10

therefore, decided to give the facts to/cussed. The extension of the front of«The reply given was that while in attacked, and vice vera. This re-than as a defence of the Govern- Ukrunians that they owed their salva-25, they have been on the pinia in the

GENERAL MAURICE'S

ALLEGATIONS.

General

It had been

Si: Dougins Haig to the Council as 1

was taken over as the result of the

ment in power.

THE VOTING.

The manifesto does not mention pence with Russia. Therefore, it is assumed that the Ukraine will con Mr. Asquith's motion was rejected tinue operations against Husara," by 298 votes to 108.

attack on General Maurice manifesto on resuming office, told the General Gough's Army was never discus principle we were, of course, ready to commendation was to be discussed ment, which had lost the national tien to the Central Powers, who were sed in the Versailles Council at all. A do whatever we could have done, the at Versailles on March 1st, but before confidence. Only the four of Mr. invincible, demand was made for further extension,

matter could not be discussed in the but the extension in question occurred absence of Sir Douglas Haig or daring that Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig Asquith's retum kept the Gover- Proceeding to

before the Council met. examine Maurice's statements, the Premier said agreed upon by Sir Douglas Haig and the present operation, and due regard and General Petain met and carie must also be had. to the plan of to an agreement is regards un exter that two challenges had been made General Petain and was reported by operation for

next year. Ition to Barisia, un Field Marshal regarding the figures arstly, regarding the comparison which he, the Premier, fait ampli. Not a single yard of irontested that it would be beat for Sir Douglas Haig to come to an arrange-

Sir Douglas Huig reported it to Ver. The majority consisted of made of the British forces in France on

ment with General Pezzin as to when sailies. No further extension of the Ministers, most of the Unionists SALONIKA OPERATIONS. January 14t, this year, and on January

this could done. So far as I (Sir line had occurred. That was the present, a ninnber of the Liberali William Robertson) am further formal discussion occured while story. Field-Marshal Haig in the matter therefore cannot be regarded taking over the extension of the line as decided. Further, I am sure the land the full approval of the British War Cabinet would not think of decid. Cabinet. Having regard to the pre ing such an important question without sufe from the Government and the obtaining Sir Douglas Haig's view and I am replying to him in the above French Military authorities Field sense." (Cheers),

Marshal Sir Douglas Haig had option but to make the extension.

Versailles Council. Although General Iat, last year, and secondly, comparison Maurice did not say so the real point of the enemy and Allied forces on the was this-it was put in a question by Western Front. "I said the fighting Mr. Lambert (already published) strength of the Army has increased namely, whether this portion of the General Maurice says it has diminished. line was not taken over by order of the The figures. I gave were taken from the War Cabinet despite the objections of official records of the War Office. If Sir Douglas Haig and Sir William they are incorrect General Maurice is Roberson. There was not a word of

■s responsible na anyone else: but they truth in that suggestion. Of course, are not inaccurate. I have made Sir Douglas Esig was not anxious to

อง

The Premier continued: "That was

MISCHIEVOUS AND UNFOUNDED RUMOUR.

"

and most of the Labourites. Ap- pareatly only one Unionist. the Hon. Mr. Aubrey Herbert (MP; for It.it. significant that out of 260 Somerset), voted for the minority.

Liberals less than half supported Mr. Asfuith in his first assault on the Ministry.

J

ENEMY ATTACKS IN PICARDY.

LosDON, April 9, 10.35 p.m. Field-Marshal Sir. Douglas Haig

AERIAL FIGHTING.

BULGAR TRENCHES RAIDED BY BRITISH

ป

Lospas, May '0.-

100 li during that period and all during nights. For the last month, after the great battle in the hills on March region of the triangle formed by the three cities of Tencheng, Siping and Wayang. During the whole of this time, he did not see daylight. The party travelled only at night, and during the. day Mr. Kylo was carefully guarded in dark rooms. He had bat little sleep, for when be amored he was immediately awakened by his captors. After a while they took away his foreign pocts because of the noise made when walking and substituted Chinese shoes. These did not fit and caused huge and painful blisters. Later on he tore up a towel and after binding this around, the shoes were more comfortable..

From the time of Mr. Farcell's escap one of the leaders. Kee-lin, promised to protect Kyle and, I understand, really befriended him, doing his heat to zet the best possible food for him. For two whole, weeks they were within sound of the railway and one evening. A Salonika official report states: the 12th of April, they were within 100 The British raided trenches near! train

yards of the line, and the passenger through. At length*

negotia Lake Dairun on the night of May tions were carried on through the

Roman Catholic Mission and at one of. 8th, reached & objectives, bombed the stations at a villays 40

li frous Wuyang, Mr. Kyle with Hecelin anil others arrived, at which point his bodily killed a number of Bulgars in hand sufferings really came to an end. I betr to-hand fighting.

tliat

the seven chief robbers have been pardoned and will have situations found Five of our aeroplanes on May 1st for them by the Chinese Government. bombed the Hubova aerodrome in The release is due to Commander

Chepp.

who has been working hard and the Vardar valley. They destroyed very capably managing offairs since he

large shed and bombs fell among twelve peroplanes on the ground

We, bombed the same aerodrome on May 7th, directly hitting a work

enquiry since. I a pot sure what extend his line, nor was the War on October 18 and the War Cabinet He was in our judgment absolutely FIGHTING IN FLANDERS, dug-outs, blew up a pillbox and General Maurice exactly means. There Cabinet, but the pressure from the fully approved of the communication. is absolutely no doubt that there was French Government and the French Sir Douglas Haig immediately replier right in the course he took. He BRITISH AND FRENCH POSITIONS! a very considerable addition to the Army was enormous.

RE-ESTABLISHED. This pressure saying that it threw a new light on the naturally would have preferred not mun-power of the Army in France at could not be resisted." He did not Boulogne decision. This question was to have done it, but the Government the beginning of 1918 compared with suggest for a moment that the French first formally discussed with the War fully approved of his action... the beginning of 1917. There was acted unfairly. There was considerable Cabinet on October 24,. There was great increase in the man-power of our ferment in France last year regarding further pressure from the French Army throughout the world in 1918 the length of line held by the French Goverances and Sir William Robertson compared with 19:7, but the increase Army compared with ours. The French gave his views regarding the line which in our man-power in France was greater loses had been enormous. They bad the British ought to take. This combien a pernicious, runour, full of mis-reporte than the average throughout the whale sustained the great strain of the fighting clusion was recorded in the minutes of chief and harm to the British Army. At the conclusion of the fighting shop. Bombs Tell close to sixteer and Mr. Kyle did not see him again

I do not know what General for three years. The Freneh bad a the War Cabinet as follows: After that "we, despite the remonstrances of this morning in the fù Clytte-Vor.seroplanes on the ground.

greater proportion of their manhood in hearing the Chief of the Imperial Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Huig and mezcele sector the "French and We bombed the Drums nerodrome Mr. Lloyd George said General The French then held a front of 32 General Staff the following-conclusions gi William Robertson, forced the British. positions were completely 8th, causing considerable damage undergime, but the strain of the capti:/

aren

Maurice has in mind when he talks of! fighting strength."

The War Cabinet were recorded:

the line than any other belligerent Maurice must have drawn a distinction miles. We held a frout of 120 miles, between combatant and non-combatant but the Germans were massed much strength. "I do not accept that more dersely against our line, which, distinction."(Cries of "Oh!")

moreover, was much more vulnerable The Premier (continuing); Are than the French. Beside the line those men who stopped the advance at mentioned the French Army then held The Premier bere interjected "We Amiens the other day combatanta! a two Division front on our left in are supposed to have overruled the Are the men under fire daily making order to enable us to accumulate Chief of Staff."

As a result of this action there had

approved the suggestion of the Chief of to take a risk they ought never to the Imperial Staff that, he should reply have taken. Did anyone, naked the to Sir Douglas Haig in the following Premier, imagine that Field-Marshal Haig would have accepted a respon sibility of this kind" for a moment?

ra-established

trenches.

went to Wayang.. Une interesting and mystericus phase I must not omit. When the Kyle Purcell party were robbed and kidnapped on the fourth of March, the bandit who took the silver amounting to $13,000 disappeared from the land.

until one evening when near the rail way. He then appeared with a stock of food, guns and ammunition, and has not been seen since.

Mr. Kyle looked in pretty fair shape, considering all the hardships he had All the bombs burst among nero,vity has told heavily upon him and it planes.

All our aeroplanes returned.

on the morning and afternoon of May

FRENCH PAY HEAVY TOLL FOR VICTORY.

ENEMY USE AEROPLANES MARKED LIKE BRITISH.

Lowpox, May 9.

will be some time before he regains his montéd vigour. He is a man of about 62 years of age. Be bass wife in the United states and two sons serving with the colours in France.

The enemy, after artillery Ering, launched two early local attacks in the neighbourhood of Albert, wid Bouzincourt. Our rifle and machine-

A correspondent of the NC. Daily The Famier proceeded to say that gun fire broke up the latter attack,

News writing from Kaileng, dh April 20 entd:-The Governor appointed in high. sad repairing roads, tramways and the necessary reserves with a view to The Premier then resumed resumed he was not sony, to have bad the the exemy not reaching our our

military officer, with fall powers, to railways, who suffer severe casualties, an attack in Flanders.

round up the whole bajid and show no The French reading the War Cabinet's minutes: opportunity of disposing once for all The enemy, after suffering heavy

metry to any such decision in action to combatants or non-combatants? Does pressed us to extend our line in order "The War Cabinet is of opinion that in these rumours which were onrculated casualties from our fire at Albert,

begin on Sunday the 1st instant. This anyone say they are not part of the thus they might withdraw men from deciding the extent to which British by persons for their own purpose, elected a lodgment in our advanced

decision was confirmed by the American Legation authorities, who had been fighting strength of the Army?

the army for purposes of agriculture. troops can take over the line from the

Reuter's Correspondent at French vainly negotiating all these weeks for Mr. Lloyd George read an extract Their agricultural output had fallen French regard must be had to the but the real lesson of this discussion positions on a front of 150 yards.

Headquarters, continuing his descrip-ever, conveyed to the bait chief in the Mr. Kyle's liberation it was how- from a document from General Maurier's enormously and they were compelled necessity of giving them reasonable about the extension of the line wa UNIFIED COMMAND SUREST ROLD tion of the work of the French troops form of an ultimatum, with a rather department initialled by General Mau- to withdraw part of their army for opportunity for leave, rest and training the importance of the unity of com-

da facipating option attached. Mr. in the defence rica's depot "From the statements cultivation of the soil. Therefore daring the winter months, and for the raand. The discussion would never

of Scherpenberg on Eyle were unmediately released, the April 2011, says

bandits were to receive full pardon and. included it will be seen that the com- owing to the French pressure Sir plan of operations for 1918, and furthe-

of Fhave arisen but for the lack of unity

being enrolled in the the privilege In recognition of the killind man miltis, with a port of honour for Satant strangth of the Iritish Army William Robertson and the Cabinet that while the present offensive con was greater on January, 1st, 1818, than felt it was inevitable during the rrinter tinues it will be impossible to commence of command. The Premier was glad

courage with which the British guns the chief á bundle of 60 pardons were served under devastating enemy was sent along, and Mr Byle was guaranteed by the Amerkan Legations On January 1st, 1917.

that there should be some extension, taking over more front. The general that at last we had one united Army "That came from General Maurice's What further extension should be made military policy for next year is any and a Commander responsible for

fire, the French Colonal under whose releword on Thuriday last" (wich (what continued Mr. Lloyd was a matter in doubt.

cofemind they won bestowed the the future se reference is patent.

possible results for other foreigners in being considered and will subsequently the whole and every part of the

TO VICTORY

FIELD-MARSHAL HAIG'S LOYALTY

Fis, May-10. sking ab

Lord Derby, dinner given in his honour by