18 MAY 1918, Page 2

On Wednesday the Daily Chronicle made the interesting announce- ment

that Sir Frederick Maurice has become its military critic. At the same time it published an important " personal explanation " from General Maurice. In his explanation of his differences with the Government General Maurice is, of course, unable to draw upon secret information. He makes no complaint of his punishment, but remarks that his case has never been heard, and that he still stands absolutely by his letter. He makes one disclosure of real interest and relevance. In answer to Mr. Lloyd George's complaint that he had deferred his criticism so long, he denies altogether the report that he was actually present in the House of Commons on April 9th, and heard Mr. Lloyd George's speech on that day. The Prime Minister in the Maurice debate said: " Until Sir Frederick Maurice left office, during the whole of the time that these questions were being discussed, he never made any representations to the Chief of the Staff." General Maurice now states that between. April 9th and April 20th he was very much occupied with his duties, was part of the time in France, and had not leisure to do more than glance at the Prime Minister's speech of April 9th.