Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-27
LLOYD GEORGE TO SAVE
ALLIES FROM DISASTER
G. III. IetIlcm, Brilliant Scottish
Journalist, Says Prime Minister
VIII Prevent Any Incompetence.
HIS TASK A COLOSSAL ONE
Long Service as Public Servant Has
Developed Foresight, Energy and
Courage, Attributes vitality Essen
tinl TO Prosecution OF War.
BT G. III. Li:TIiEaI,

i"to oilicc. nearly two years ago.
! an Italian statesman described his
position and personality in the phrase
that echoed widely over Italy, and
summed up the feeling there toward
tho ono man who could rescue the Allied
cause from the dangers and disasters
TO which delay and incompetence had
led II. bit by bit.
The Prime Minister OF Europe, said
this man.
1t was an imaginative and expressive
I phrase. even then. when we had still
cofnbatant Russia and still victorious
Italy to depend upon. IL is doubly true
and doubly expressive now that Italy
Ia threatened and Russia in confusion.
For We British have now the main bur
den OF the war upon us. Think OF it,
Russia silent and suffering. Immortal
France indicated. but sorcly tried
Italy under eclipse. Tho United States
preparing. Japan far off. What re-
mains?
Great Britain, the predominant part
ner. Great Britain against Prussia
And, guiding the war. on our side.
chief OF the partnership. and so Prime
Minister OF Europc-Lloyd George.
His task is a colossal one. his re-
aisn8 OF fearing it. Indeed. to be afraid.
10 hesitate. not TO govern. but TO let
others govern. would be absolutely
fatal for the Prime Minister at this
stage in the conflict. II would be
fatal, I repeat. for the one man TO give
over the rcins to many men-to many
fingers. ready to twist and turn this
way and that. II the one man is to
be worthy OF his task. he must hold
the reins firmly himself.
For this work he needs three main
aualities--foresight. energy, courage
Has Lloyd George got these qualities?
Let US sec.
Foresight and energy first
Lloyd George began the war as
Finance Minister, then wen. on TO
munitions. then became War Score
tary. then Primo Minister. In finance
and in muniton AID at the War Office
Lloyd George planned for a long war
In the FIRST place: then. in the second
place, for unified war.
The war may be very long one"
was his text in 1915 for the May bud
get OF that year. This was foresight.
Boldly he spoke out. Boldly he warned
our workers. Drink and Extravaganza
could make us lose. For six months
war drink must DC curtailed. For
long war also. finances must be pooled.
F9rcsish, and unity! Lloyd George
lett the EHchcqucr.
Ills immense driving power and force
OF Imagination were needed at the
Ministry OF Munitions. The shell scan
DIAL had Mortified the country. A man
vas wanted completely to rcorsanlzc
tho production OF war material with
al, ,liat depends upon IL.
In this colossal task tic new Min
lister OF Munitions showed the two
most necessary OF the qualities / have
mentioned abovc-cncrEy foresight.
lilo planned for 4 long war. The
Ministry of Munitions now r"a
ne sowcd. In face OF considerable cI-
vilian and military opposition. he bold
lydoublcd contracts undertaken in 1915.
Nothing was enough for hirn--nothing
too much. He solved the munition
problem once for all. How? BY en-
crSy and foresight.
In combating the craze for holidays.
IN setting the example OF ccaseless
labor. In speaking out to employees
and employers in conciliatinE indus
trial leaders and rcconciling labor
CARNATIONS. and. again. in reprcssinG
at the Ministry OF Munitions IL task for
which the country can never thank him
enough.
The country sho-cd its gratitude.
When Lord Kitchener was drowned
(June. 1870. Lloyd George became Sec
rotary of state for War.
Hero hc went far ahead Of the de-
partrnental idea of what was wanted
for tho war, as he had done at the Min
istry OF Munitions. lie called for Sir
Eric Gcddcs. lie dealt with the rail-
ways at the front. For this last work
and this alone, his name would be
memorable in war history. For this
tho army knows how to value his cf-
fort on their behalf
The country also showed its grati-
tude by pointing TO him the one
possible Premier when, at the end Of
1916, the old coalition government fell
All parties and men then gathered
about him--pcrhaps too many men from
too many parties; too many men view
ing themselves as indispcDsables. rep
resentipE too many parties long de-
funct
The danger lurking ar cad Of the new
government began TO reveal itsclf--de-
partmcnts parties. personalities. great
persons with great names. long titles
and vast self-estecm. To unity them
all was another hugo task-to assuasL
cgrcgious vanitics perhaps Impossible
one.
Lloyd George tried
He has been extraordinarily loyal
: Io has praised and paid tribute to
men so dvcrsed by tradition and tenn
permanent from himself Sir Edward
Carson and Lord Miner. lie has told
tho public OF tho achievements OF his
not due to himself.
Has lie gone too far in tbs?
COURAGE Is THIRD
QUALITY PREMIER NEEDS
The answer to that gives mo my
point for the third quality needed in
a Prcmlcr-couragc.
Now, mono denies Lloyd Georges per-
sonal courage. Mono denies his pluck,