Sir Edward Carson asked whether the proceedings before the Judges
would be public, and whether Cabinet Ministers and ex- Cabinet Ministers would be examined. Mr. Bonar Law thought the inquiry must necessarily be held in private. Sir Edward Carson next asked how Cabinet Ministers or ex-Cabinet Ministers could be absolved from their obligations of secrecy without an Act of Parliament. Mr. B3nar Law, in order to try to allay the dissatisfaction, remarked that there was no desire on the part of the Government to burke the matter, and that Mr. Asquith, if he desired to do so, could himself select the Judges. In answer to further questions, Mr. Bonar Law said that even if every statement in General Maurice's letter were true, the discipline of the Army would be undermined if such conduct were allowed to pass. We think that ou reflection Mr. Bonar Law will not be able to main- tain that statement. In extreme cases extreme courses are necessary, and this remains true 'whether the present situation be proved an extreme case or not. In 1914, at the time of the Curragh incident, Mr. Boner Law himself laid it down that the duty of the citizen must take precedence in critical situations over the duty of the soldier.
