The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-11-16
This Country Will Not
Stand for Muddling By
English Government.
WOULD MANAGE THE
ENTIRE WAR FIRST
Declines Post of Air Minis
ter So His Hands May
Be Free
CBy Associated Preas.N


London, Nov. 16. - Lord North
cliffe has declined proffer Of the
administration OF the new air minis
try made to him by Premier Lloyd
George. - ...
In letter to the premier, Lord
Northcliffe explains that his refusal
OF the portfolio is due to dissatisfac-
ton with the methods of the
premier's administration, especially
with regard to relations with the
United States, and says that Lord
Northcliffe's desire, therefore is to
maintain an Independent attitude.
Lord Northcliffe's letter to Premier
Lloyd George, dated Tuesday. from
the London once of the British mis-
sion to the United States was as fol-
lows: ".
Dear Prime Minister:
Il have given anxious considera-
ton to your repeated Invitations that
should take charge OF the new all
ministry. The reason which iTnpelled
me to decline that great honor and
responsibility is in no way concern
ed with the office which is rightly to
be set UP. The reasons are roughly
as follows:
Visit to United States.
Returning after five months spent
in the Virile atmosphere of the Unit
ed States and Canada, find that
while these two countries are pro-
ceeding with their war preparations
with a fervor and enthusiasm little
understood on this side OF the Allan
tic; while the United States instantly
put into operation conscription over
which. we wobbled for two years and
Is making short work. OF seditiou
mongers; while Canada already has
given such proofs of thoroughness az
the Acknowledgement of conscientious
ob1ectors and the Standardization OF
all enemy aliens naturalized within
the last Is years; while we for ouI
part are asking immense sacrifices
from these peoples, there still are In
office here those who daily with such
urgent questions as that Of unity OF
war control, eradication OF sedition
mobilization OF the whole man and
woman power Of the country, and
the Introduction Of compulsory food
Fsst Result OF Delay.
II had personal exper1ence while
IA America Of the obstruction and
delay In certain departments In Lon
don, which for example, postponed
sending Lord Readings vital and
most successful mission. / ind the
censorship still being misused and
that men in various positions Of
authority who should have been
punished, have been retained and In
some cases elevated The spirit OF
the men and women OF Great Britain
Is clearly as eager and splendid as
ever. We have in my belief the most
efficient army in the world, led by
one of the greatest generals and
- -
ment Of our soldiers, sailors and
statesmen, but feel in the present
circumstances I can do better work
if maintain my Independence and
am not gagged by loyalty that
do not feel toward the whole OF your
administration.
United States Not Russia.
May also take this opportunity
Of giving warning about your rela-
tions with that great people from
whom come. We have had the
tragedy Of Russia, partly due to lack
OF allied propaganda to counteract
that Of the Germans. We have had
the tragedy OF Italy, largely due to
that same enemy propaganda We
have had the tragedies OF Serbia,
Rumania and Montenegro. There is
one tragedy which / am sure we
shall not have and that Is the tragedy
Of the United States.
"But from countless conversations
with leading Americans, know that
unless there is swift improvement
in our methods here. the United
States will rightly take into it's own
hands the entire management of a
great part OF the war. It will not
sacrifice its blood and treasure to
the incompetent handling OF the af-
fairs Of Europe.
"In saying all this, which is very
much on my mind, believe me I
have but the most friendly feeling
toward yourself and that !, am great
ly honored by your suggestion.
Yours sincerely,
'syorfhcliffe I"