New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-11
TN MANY aspects of his career and
character David Lloyd George
resembles our OWN Abraham Lin.

character David Lloyd George
resembles our own Abraham Lin
coin. Both men rose from humble
beginnings to be leaders of their re-
spective countries. Both possessed the
moral courage to oppose what they con-
sidered unjust wars; Lincoln severely
criticized the Mexican War, and Lloyd
George was stoned and mobbed for his
outspoken sympathy with the Beers
Both ultimately carried through great
wars for principle without faltering in
the face of partisan and pacifst snip
ing. Both possessed in rare measure
the qualities of fexibility and tolerance,
the indispensable stock in trade of a
democratic statesman.
A Friendly Biography
The fascinating story of Lloyd
Georges life is told by Harold Spender
in "The Prime Minister (Doran) Ev-
cry biography of living man is al
most certain to contain an excessive
amount either of praise or of blame;
and Mr.. Spender's admiration for Lloyd
George is hearty and unqualified. One
feels that certain weak spots in the
hero's career are somewhat slurred.
There is little reference to Ireland and
the author barely alludes to the Pre-
mler's extravagant speeches in the
last general election. But Lloyd George
is a figure who can support a liberal
need of eulogy; and the biography as
whole is interesting and well rounded
Lloyd George was born and brought
up in Wales and he has preserved a
passionate attachment for the little
country throughout his life As Welsh
Nonconformist he was quick to resent
the encroachments Of English civil and
ecclesiastical power. In his early wears
In Parliament he fought hard for
the establishment of the Anglican
Church in Wales. Mr. Spender be-
lieves that much of his love for small
nations may be derived from his early
enthusiasm over the historic deeds Of
the Welsh national heroes.
Mr.. Spender describes Lloyd Georges
prewar political achievements, his am
bilious program of socia! reform, his
determined and successful fight against
the House of Lords for the famous Lib
eral budget, his services as a conciliator
IN threatening strikes. But the Premier
will be remembered in history as a war
leader. Mr.. Spender gives an impressive
record Of his achievements in this
field, his tremendously efficient organi-
zation of munitions production, his in
sistence upon the handling of war prob
lens by small and effective body, his
constant effort to secure closer coopera-
ton between the Allies in the face of
much we'll meant but parochial OPPOSE
ton
Favored Balkan Campaign
The author asserts that Lloyd George
favored much more intensive concen-
tration of force in the Balkan theater
of hostilities. He believed that an eff
fective display of Allied force there
while Serbia was still an active COM
blatant would have brought all the Bal
kan states into the alliance against Ger
many. 1t is impossible to determine just
how practical this theory would have
proved in operation. In any event, the
Allied affairs in the Balkans could
scarcely have been managed worse than
they were.
Mr.. Spender depicts Lloyd George as
occupying middle ground in the peace
negotiations. He was not so insistent
upon crushing Germany as Clemenceau;
he was less inclined to prefer idealistic
to practical solutions than Wilson. AS
result he played the role of con.
sistent peacemaker between his two
major allies. 1t is perhaps due to his
skill and fexibility that the conference
did not go to pieces from the clash be-
tween Wilson's internationahsm and
Clemenceau's exalted patriotism Lloyd
Georges view of the League of Nations
seems to have been characterized by
common sense rather than by visionary
enthusiasm.
sIn regard to the League Of Nations"