The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-17
LLOYD GEORGE
ASKS RETURN AS
COALITION HEAD
Says Peace COnferee Must
Have Whole Peoples Au-
thOrity Behind Him.
OPENS HIS CAMPAIGN
Calls "Blank Check" Blank
N0nsense-BOnar Law
Backs Premier's Plea.
OPENS HIS CAMPAIGN


George. Chancellor OF the Exchequer
Bonar Law and George n. Barnes,
member of the War Cabinet, the lead
ers Of the coalition Government,
opened the general election campaign
this morning by addressing a large and
enthusiastic meeting IN Central Hall.
Westminster. The Premier presided.
Mr.. Lloyd George said the new Par
lament would be the most important
ever elected in the history of the coun-
try. Continuing he said:
THE war has revealed the defects OF
the old system and we will be wise to
AXE note Of and remedy them. We
cannot return to the old conditions.
''If Parliament rises to the level of
.ts great opportunities then the empire
and the throne will be firmly estab-
lished on the only solid bas!s--that OF
contented and happy people.
Must Have Peoples Indorsement.
THE old Parliament has served its
use and there Is no time to lose. as
somebody must 60 to the peace confer
SECe Win LHe VI inc pcOpie
lehind him. There Is no use talking Of
siank checks. That is only talking
1lank nonsense.
The question is. What body OF men
Is going to settle the problems OF re-
construction? Tlecruiting statistics
have revealed terrible conditions as re-
CARDS the physical health of the ma
ton. This Is due not to poverty but to
neglect.
The health Of the people must be
tho special concern OF tho State. What
we have done toward feeding ourselves
In the past Is like feeding a hungry
giant with q teaspoon
Tho Premier hoped that many o: the
British soldiers on their return would
be settled on the land Tho develop
ment of transport and electricity would
have to be taken in hand, he said. All
tho problems OF reconstruct!on must be
faced by Britishers as patriots and no:
as partisaHs Every party, he declared,
had its good traditions, and also those
It would like to forget. For the next
four and half years, the Premier
says, he wanted to see all parties united,
" itn the best traditions OF all.
A voice: What about tho discharged
soldiers party?''
The Premier: surely, that Is not n
separate party. and the general election
will prove it." This remark was greet
cd with cheers.
The opposition, Mr.. Lloyd George con-
tinued, was organized for faultfnding
and made for delay. For organized
hn
at the present moment, he declared.
! was the height OF folly.
Expects Workers TO Condemn Act.
He had not the slightest doubt that
the workers OF the country would con-
demn that action. The coalition had
been in office two years and tie nation
could see what 1t had done lie only
claimed for It that IL had done every
thing possible Ito help our soldiers and
sailors and our allies TO win the war
by finance transport. food organization
and munitions"
II tho nation decided that a new
Government was TO take the place OF
the coalition the Premier said that he
and his colleagues would promise 1t
their unflagging support even to being
hodsnen in the construction OF the
new editice. In conclusion he said:
''Timidity ia fatal TO great action.
Let us approach our task as men de-
| termined to lay the foundation OF the
new world on a sure basis
Chancellor Bonar Law said II the
| election was delayed till next year the
! greater part OF the session would be
! lost. He declared his party believed
that the nation was intellectually be-
hind the Prime Minister.
The Premier has sent a letter 10
Bonar Law outlining his policy regard
| ing the principal issues OF the day. He
| considers It should be a coalition cleo
! ton, the constituents being Invited tc
raturn candidates who will undertake
TO support the present Go"ernment not
only to prosecute the war to finaI
erd and to negotiate peace but to desl
with problems OF reconstruction.
Party Lines VIII BRING Disaster.
! The Premier says ne desires to gee thi;
| carried through on personal grounds. fol
I during the last two years he has re-
ceiyed the wholehearted support OF th'
IInionist party, and the Government hai
had unity In aims and In action, which
has been remarkable In coalition Gov
| ernment. He says he Is convinced sucl
nm arrangement would be best for th'
country. adding
"The problems with which We shal
be faced Immediately on the cessation o.
hos,fities viii be hardly less oressInI
and will require hardly less drastic ua
! Continued Oh Sirth Poce