The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-29
Lloyd George Is Deeply in Debt,
and Fact Is Resented
by Public.
ny LA MAnaUIsE DE, FoNrDNoY.


Wv exception to her statesmen in
office as ministers Of the crown
being in debt. owing to their inability
to make both ends meet. she has dis
played resentment when these debts
have been due to foolish speculation on
the stock exchange.
Lord Beaconsfeld lebored under a
burden Of debt throughout his long
career of more than half century. un-
til his death. Those of his letters
which have been published. aiao the
sprinted "reminiscences of his contem-
poraries and his official biogra plies.
compiled from the entire boxes of
diaries, correspondence and memo ida.
which he bequeathed at his death to
Lord Rowton, all speak in the most
unvarnished manner about the fnan-
cial troubles with which he was
harassed throughout his career. Far
from it's prejudicing him in the eyes
Of the people. it, on the contrary. won
their sympathy. and even their admira-
ton. that statesman who, as Chan
cellor OF the Exchequer and a $ Premier,
had such unrivaled means of enriching
himself, thanks to his advanced know
ledge of measures and events destined
to take place. should have remained
30 poor.
1t is different with Lloyd George 1t
Is currently reported in London. and
that, too. in the most authorize tive
manner, that he Is. like the late Lord
Beaconsfield, heavily inf debt. TO the
tune of some sSc,000. But in this in
stance his financial difficulties are less
due to insufficient means than 10 UNI
fortunate speculation. The English
people resent the idea that Statesman
who, as Chancellor OF the EXchequer.
Is intrusted with the custody and man :
agement OF the finances of the nation.
II
and there is no sympathy whatsoever
for him when these ventures prove un-
| successful. without its being legally
dishonest, such conduct is considered
as indicate. and as contrary to the
ethics which are more or less ohliga :
tory on the part OF minlsters of the
crown.
| That Lloyd George should have
| speculatcd in the shares OF the Ameri-
| can Marconi Wireless Company Is
looked upon as particularly lacking III
| delicacy. IN view OF that concerns
| close association with tho English
Marconi Company and the latier's
| agreements and contracts with the
present English government.
II is sinsuarly unfortunate that the
investigation into the conduct OF
Lloyd George. Chancellor of the Ex-
| cheuuer, of Sir Rufus Isaacs. the At
torney General, and OF those of their
colleagues in the Asquith adninistra :
! ton who speculated In English Mar
conis, should have been conducted on
such political partisan lines. instead
of with that strict impartiality which
ordinarily characterizes judicial inves
legations of this nature in England.
For the adversaries of the members OF
the administration implicated In tho
affair have displayed so much savage
animus and such Intense bitterness as
| to convey the impression. even TO the
| Unionists, that the investigation par
takes of the nature of persecution
rather than prosecution.
| Still, at the same time, even the
! friends of those whose conduct has
/ been the subject Of inquiry for some
| time past have arrived at the con
viction that while Lloyd George and
Sir Rufus Isaacs are innocent OF any
actual dishonesty. yet that enough has
been proved as TO their lack Of delft
cacy. to kill all chances OF rhc Chan
cellor OF tho EXchequer being ever ad-
vanced to the premiership, or the clc-
Walton Of the Attorney General to the
bench. as Lord Chief Justice Of Eng