New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-06
LLOYD GEORGE AND THE PEOPLE
A Statesman Who Truly Represents the
Majority of His Countrymen

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Three items in to-day's Tribune are
Of more than feeting interest and should be
read together. These are:
|. Mr.. sydney Brookss letter
2. An interview with "a returned traveller
2. Nine. Sarah Bernhardt's statement AZ
Wilmington.
Mfr. Brooks gives the American people IN
clear and forceful words, the British vie" OF
the war and warns of all peace mongers'
whether well-meaning idealists or opponents
of Germany's growing needs Generaiiy
sneakine. "a returned traveller bears out BIZ
Rrooks and shows that he understands the
true attitude Of the British Empire toward
this war Of settlement" But, when he says
that since "the elevation and enforcement
Of Mr.. Lloyd George "by the classes no mas
been losing ground with the masses" he IN
derestimates the position filed by that demo-
cratic leader in the hearts OF the people.
Perhaps you will permit me TO interpret
briefly the present political situation In Lon
don. Before the war Mr.. Lloyd George was
absolutely hated by the landed aristocracy
and the upper middle class. He was the fear
less champion of the workers. lie said open
lv that the land -grabbers and the coupon
cutters should be made TO pay their due pro-
portions of the nations expenditure. lie was
specially severe on dukes, and these eminent
~ respectable and lofty personages tried TO
be equally severe on him. Had the struggle
come to an issue OF is only postponed) there
would have been what my beloved county OF
Yorkshire calls "a bonny row."
Then Germany decreed Armageddon, and no
mar drew the sword Of freedom more valiant
" than the gallant Welshman. All his genius
ali his Celtic enthusiasm, all the vivid imagi-
nation and real driving power Of his ardent
Temperament, appear in steady and con
suming flame. Not once has his purpose raj
tered: nor has he stumbled by the way. lie
began by organizing the nations hnanceS'
and achieved such marvels that the governor
Of the Bank Of England, in glowing eulo-
GUM of his work. expressed the hope that the
King would make Mr.. Lloyd George duke
Never was sedate joke more sharply pointed.
II nut in phrase the mind of the whole
people. Mr.. Lloyd Georges, Interpretation OF
lBritains fixed purpose next made itself felt
in the Ministry of Munitions Then he re-
organized the War Office. Now he bids fair
to direct the ship of state.
He has no enemies, He is trusted or all
men. But--there is always a conditional ele-
ment In politics the war has lasted so long
that the George Bernard Shaws, the Ramsay
Macdonalds, the Pankhursts, the Hobhouses
and the rest Of the notorety hunters are be-
ginning to fear they may never be heard OF
again. This monstrous fate has stirred them
into action. They simply cannot bear the
passing of these years of enforced silence.
Not even the sufferings of their motherland
can still their puny ambitions SO the pack
is in cry. Jealous of success, they have
united in denouncing the man who has reft
them of following, with the result that
Cardiff planned to cool the ardor OF some
among them by throwing them into the Taft.
And now as to Nine. Bernhard. This great
souled Frenchwoman, MANNED i'll, asking
Heaven to be merciful and give her strength
to do her work, what does she say from her
bed Of sickness in Wilmington, Del? Not
word as to her own troubles. Newspaper
men gathered to question her, but patriotism
rose superior to the personal worries of the
actress, and madame was avid of news. How
is the war going?" she asked. Are the Ru-
manians still holding their own
In these words Sarah Bernhard voiced the
true shirt of the Allied nations, and it is
lust that self-same spirit which breathes
forth from Lloyd George In every act and
every speech.
Please note that | pass no comment on
the pending Cabinet crisis in England. The
hour will produce the man. What | want all
readers of The Tribune to believe Is that
since August, 1914, Lloyd George has never
once failed TO represent the opinions OF SO
per cent. of his fellow-countrymen.
LOUIS TRACY
New York, Dec. 4, 1915