New-York tribune., 1919-08-21
Attacks From All
Sides'Greet Speech
By Lloyd George
Premier Is Criticised for
What He Did and Did Nor
Say; Public Doubt on FIJI.
ture British Trade Policy
NetU York Tribune
European Bureau
tcop, right. 1919. New York Trihuua Inc,

Copyright. 1919. New York Trituua Inc,
LONDON, Aug. 2O.-The public is
confused as to the governments trade
policy after September 1. judging
from the declarations Of the President
of the Board of Trade in Mondav
nights parliamentary debate the svs-
tenn of licensing imports will be con-
t'nued, but what goods will be con-
sldered products of key industries. is
unknown until the government pub-
fishes the list.
Some sort of compromise between
tree trade and protection is the onlv
poilcy the government has in mind at
present. obviously such a policy will
tail to satisfy either the Liberals who
desire to return to free trade or the
conservatives who are anxious for
lafif. The Labor party proposes to
make fight on this tissue, and invita-
''ons nave already been extended to
Lord ROBERT Cecil to join them. No
Snahge IN government is possible until
la1e 1aii, but the long parliamentary re-
cess VIII be devoted to preparations for
political battle in the winter.
Press Reception Poor
Lloyd Georges speech has received q
p;ooier press reception than at any time
since he became Premier. He is ST.
tackled both from the right and from
the left, especially by Labor, and crit;-
clzed both for what he said and for
what he failed to say Britain had
peen some time waiting Cor speech
by the Premier in which he would
show either radical or conserva-
i've tendency as it is generally recop-
nized that it is no longer possible for
nm nm, to mold steadily the middle course
through which he led a united country
during the war.
:. The Premiers speech is not onlv
says "The Daily News.' "The House
dispersed without any additional knowl-
edge of the governments policy. 1t
was when he spoke on the question of
the naturalization of the mines and
refused to accept the Sankey scheme
that the Premier showed his conserya-
tive bias most clearly. He made no
effort to convince labor and the miners
OF the value of the governments plan,
ouo lad more stress upon the necessity
Oh conclllatlng the mine owners"
~ amid the blare of criticism "The
Daily Express sounds the single note
of praise. 1t says: "The Premier's
survey is keen, the policy he outlines
is sound"
Lloyd George has cleverly turned
the tables on us ALL" says "The Man
chester Guardian.' eve were expect
ing defense Of government charged
with great many shortcomings The
Premier gets up, and, without a word
OF suggestion that he has any charge,
to answer, delivers a serious homily
upon all our sins.
An Unequa!led Opportunity
seriously speaking, this is not a
tone which Mr.. Lloyd George has any
right to adopt; it will not improve his
position with the public. He has had
an unequalled opportunity and has
thrown it away. He and his colleagues
at Versailles have failed utterly to
settle Europe"
"The Mail" says: "The net result of
the speech is that the country stands
where it did. 1t is told in the plainest
terms that it is on the edge OF chasm
at whose bottom is ruin, but that all
action must be stopped in order that
the alarming situation may be post
poned. On all the main issues with
which he was expected to deal, the
Premier left the country in a state of
uncertainty. Such a speech as this at
such a iuncture merely reveals the
governments utter lack of policy upon
the most pressing problems of the
moment. Rome may be burning, but
Nero must get two months respite"