The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-11-09

bury one of the sons of George Cad
bury, is general manager of the News.
Without going behind the scenes it had
been obvious to careful readers of the
News that there were divided opinions
in the editorial offices This was nov
city in a paper renowned for its con-
sistency of policy much as for the
independent character of it's editor. 1t
was clearly webbing in its views regard
ing the future of the liberal party, and
particularly the future of Mr.. Lloyd
George. 1t never went in for the kind
of attacks on the prime minister in
which the Northcliffe press INDUCED for
a time; Gardeners methods are not sem
So tional. But it had steadily maintained
a policy of critical opposition to the
coalition government, the only London
paper voicing the opinions of the indie
pendent liberals. After Robert Donald 8
fall, Gardiner was the only powerful
anti-Lloyd George editor in London
Then came his resignation" from the
editorial chair once occupied by Dick
ems 1t might have caused less talk If
the Cadburys had had another editor
ready to take his place. But weeks went
bv. and still at the time of writing no
editor has accepted the appointment;
one at least to whom it was ottered Is
known to have demanded as his price an
absolutely free hand in policy, which
drawn from Mr.. Gardiner
Henry Cadbury was one OF the 500
members present at the dinner. He has
not revealed what were his feelings on
hearing the speakers warmly praise and
the audience loudly applaud the pohcy
of his former editor. Mr.. Asquith ana
y. A. Spender, editor of the Westmin-
ster Gazette, were the principal speakeTs'
They represented the retirement OF Mr..
Gardiner as a political and professional
calamity.
This was spice for the many London
newspaper men and journalists present.
for the independence of the press In the
fact of the growing influence and inter-
ference of absentee propritors is giVlns
Fleet street bad dreams these nights. inc
English editor has enjoyed many privli-
eyes in the past, including the legal rec
ignition that he cannot be dismissed from
his post without six months notice,
and the free hand'r is still among tho
most cherished traditions of the profess
sion.
Political interest In the evening was
however, even greater than TINS profess
sional interest. For. months it had peen
an almost daily speculation aInons
members as to how the MEM
berships of the club (Which is essen
TALLY a political club was divided pc
.,,-oer 'cvd George and Asquith. ldoyo
Georges full length portrait still hangs
in the place of honor in the large oii-
ing room His membership has never
been questioned. But there had not pre-,
viously been any club event that wouio
give an opportunity for the measure
ment of forces. There were members
who bitterly denounced Lloyd George
on every private occasion; but there
were others who strongly upheld MIN
knowledge was general that Gardner
resignation had something to do with
his undated criticism of Lloyd George'
added to this the craftsmanship or Mr.
Asouith gave the affair the definite color
of an ant-Lloyd George demonstration,
Possibly a number of Georgeites STAYED
away; there were very few there: their
only attempt of protest against one OF
Asuuith's mild reference to controversial
politics was hardly heard.
Whenever the subject used to be raised
the estimate of forces in the CLUB was
always that they were about equally
divided; observant old members today
put their estimate at about three or
four to one against Lloyd George. And
there was no doubt about the hearth
ness of Asquith's welcome or the relish
with which every guarded reference he
made to the strained political situation
was applauded. When he said, 81 have
been in public life nearly 35 years, and
do not think 1t is yet over" there
was an ovation that reminded one more
of an American political meeting than
of anything in London club life. There
was no mistaking the anti-Lloyd George
ring of those and other cheers.
But" the wise old members tell the
hasty young ones, remember that Lloyd
George is still liberal while he is a
member of this club, and so long as he
remains liberal he has only to walk
in at these doors and tell us he is free,
to be at home again"