The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-02-12

them up to public ridicule with all his
oratorical powers. II adds.
There never could be any enduring
sympathy between him and the CHER
members OF the Cabinet, Balfour, Long,
Austen Chamberlain and Bonar Law
even II they were convinced that the
Premier had dropped all his former
views regarding social reforms.
Doubts Premier's ABILITY.
Nothing will ever bring the Tories
to embrace willingly such social reforms
as those which the soldiers now return
Ing to civil life contemplate. These re-
forms may be forced upon them, but Is
Premier Lloyd George strong enough to
do this? Is he not by temperament
political chameleon. taking the views OF
those who happen TO be his associates!
did not his daily changes of opinion
during the election campaign make clear
to any student of his political person.
ality that he waits until the newspapers
tell him what to do. advancing his opin-
ions under the pressure Of their criti-
cism? The Premier is not man OF
wide knowledge nor is his mind fertile
with large ideas; he depends greatly
upon others he must be sure OF support.
The most perilous defect OF his char
acter is that he is not sure of himself"
This Ia the frankest piece of criticism
of Premier Lloyd George in recent
months coming from a Northcliffe or
gan. It is hard to determine whether
II Is designed to stir the Cabinet into
quick action on reconstruction measures
or is merely an indication of general
lack Of confidence in the present Gov
eminent
Crowds Seemed Quiet.
The crowds which watched the state
| procession from buckingham Palace to
Parliament seemed unusually quiet.
their reserve being reflected In the sober
thought evident on the faces OF the new
members OF Parliament gathered to hear
| the address from the throne. more than
one phase Of which brought hope to those
| whose most intense desire Is to see I'M
mediate remedies applied TO the labor
| situation.
Here again the question seemed up
! pcrrnost whether the Lloyd George Gov
eminent could survive and make good
| the promises OF the recent election.
| The Westminster Gazette says of the
general doubling atmosphere: Whether
the Parliament can stand the test OF
these times Is a question which will he
answered from to-day forward. We have
! grievances. but the last thing we desire
ia to add Parliamentary upheavals to the
other difficulties OF the new House OF
! Commons
I'VE must remember that It's predomi-
| nent parties have no guarantee CORE
spending to the support OF the country
when nearly half of the country. includ-
| ing two-thirds OF the soldiers. abstained
or were prevented from voting. So far
the Ministers have no guiding policy"
Paper sIsps at Wilson.
Another element OF scepticism appear,
in the Morning Post. which contrasts the
optimism Of Premier Lloyd George II
regard to the Pa+ts congress with the
gloomy forebodings OF Premier Clemen
ceau and argues for stronger and firmei
relations with France and Italy and les.
favyitism toward che Wilson policies
| In this connection II asks:
Has British opinion deserted triet
and trusted friends to ingratiate US with
| President Wilson, who takes it'll,
trouble to conceal his dislike for Eng
land? Are we abandoning the friends
| who stood by US In the darkest times fol
a scheme of untried idealism untried BY
| experience and unlikely OF success
All these utterances which crowd tn
columns OF the daily newspapers poin
plainly to the apprehension which clouds
the immediate political outlook.