Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-07
Lloyd George 10 the Fore

| Is httlne, IN this time OF storm and stress
OF suffering and dying. Of yielding and
cohquerlng, or unreasonable s3c riice and in
finite tragedy. that the strongest man in the
British empire should be called to the direc-
ton OF its destnics. Action is the hours
imperative and cXigent need. and Britain's
man of action is David Lloyd George
Three years ago students of European ar
fairs were fond OF quoting the dictum that
Mr.. Asquith possessed "the finest mind in
Europe 1t is probably true. but in CRISIS
such dis this even the finest mind will not
suffice to save civilization. Complementins
IT must be will which surmounts all OBJ
stacies and a heart which braves all dangers
Decision, al crisis, must be PROMPT as we'll
as accurate. forceful we'll as compreben-
siEe Delay is as pregnant with disaster as
folly itself.
Indeed. TO one forced TO bear such bur
den as Mr. .Asquith has borne. too fine mind
or at any rate too finely trained a mind may
he an actual handicap. The scholar is
noble tradition in British politics. but to end
this war with Il triumphant. just and perma-
nent peace is not eXactly scholars task
The scholarly man deals too much in alb
stractons. weighs too carefully opposing and
conflicting arguments. fingers too long on de
tail is too impressed and hacked by pre-
ccdent. to formulate instantaneous de-
cision and translate it into instantaneous
action.
Asqnih has been the great compromiser
ann compromise has its and its value
IN the affairs Of men. but il has also its
weaknesses and its dangers. There are those
who believe that an uncompromisiug attitude
on BTitnins part at the very starting point
vi TINS world war, would have averted il
mere are those who say 4 vigorous declara-
ton by Sir Edward Grey. that the nation for
which he spoke would stand firmly by the
siae OIL france. would have stayed the Kaisers
In
ward paltered -and Tie world war began
II was. for Britain. the beginning Of com
promise. There compromise at home. in
ireland. i'll France, in the Balkans For
weary months British diplomacy and British
strategy wed with each other To display The
larger fuiiity and faulty ''Muddlng
through" acquired something Of the char
acter OF IA national virtue, until il began to
be perceived that this world conflict could not
be muddled through hut demanded Of every
nation engaged all its trea sure, all its energy
all It's ribr and all its devotion to the COM
mon
AL each new awakening Lloyd George has
been called ip discharge q new and more
nnerous duty. In the beginning as Chan
celIor OF the EXchequcr. he laid the firm foun-
cations OF that financial system which has
enabled the empire To withstand the shock
OF war; as Minister OF Munitions he fitted the
British nation TO supply its soldiers in the
held, so that. along the font which these
soldiers held, d humiliating interIority was
Transformed into fixed superiority; as Min
lister Of War when the great Kitchener found
a grave beneath the sea. he has directed the
most vigorous and successful offensive in
which Britain has engaged
He Is called nov to supreme command of
all the forces OF tie empire-farces moral
financial and industrial. as we'll as military.
lie answers The summons. not only of King
ana country, but nj civilization and of destiny.
No man ever assumed ii loftier obligation.
lie holds in his hands the fate OF meu and
nations and Of generations unborn God
sneed him in his high task!