Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1920-03-02
attic, graduate OF the University of
Washington was deputed to break
l,1, N I 1,.xl

attic, a graduate Of the University of
Washington was deputed to break
the matter to Lord Grey.
He met with most unexpected sue
cess. Not only was the statement
promised, but Lord Grey asked Saun-
ders if he fought the men would like
to take tea with him. Saunders, a
true conservative, said he thought it
might be arranged. 1t was. The
men all seemed to want to go, and
readily got permission to take tea on
a certain day in the first-class saloon.
Lord Grey, with his secretary and
his military attache, sat down at diff
ferent tables, and asked the men to
circulate about the room SO that
Everyone should meet everyone else
quite like church sociable. He
begged the men to ask questions,
about British politics, government.
labor conditions, Oxford, anything.
Lord Grey was himself an undergrad
uate at Balliol College here. The
Americans were little bashful at
first, but plunged in manfully.
Among other things he gave them
a few hints about his mission in
America, though it's precise object he
could not make public. He was
rather displeased with the New York
papers, which. he said, had made
nothing but trouble for him during
his whole stay in the United States,
announcing one day that he was
there for the purpose of floating a
$50, O0O,0OO,0OO loan to Great Brit
ain, denying the story the next day,
Explaining their denial the third. and
repeating the rumor the fourth.
But withal he was pleasant about the
matter. One of the men asked him
IL he we're taking the money back
with him.
"Oh, yes" he said, I'VE have the
whole ninety billion on board. That's
what makes the ship so steady. BY
the way, we have some Of it in a box
upstairs. You can see it for a dollar.
We're charging everyone a dollar to
look"
So successful was this tea that
Viscount Grey asked them to come
again. The second was even better
than the first, as the reserve had
worn of by that time. He took all
the mems names, and told them that
liz any of them wished to meet men
high in British public life he would
be glad to furnish them with letters
of introduction After this, the men
were prepared to throw overheard
all their preconceived notions of
British reserve. In fact. it is doubt
fill whether many Americans in his
position would have been so thought
full.
The men who met him describe
him as being tall. fiorid, and robust
looking, though unfortunately nearly
blind. Luckily, a recent operation
saved what remains of his sight,
though he will never see well again.
1t was his eyes which compelled him
to give up his position as foreign sec
rotary Of the British government, an
Office which he discharged with con-
summate ability during the years i'm
mediately before the war. His part
in the negotiations which resulted in
Great Britain's entering the conflict
are too well known to require men
ton. Only the serious nature of the
present international situation pre-
vailed upon him to undertake his re-
cent mission.
Saunders asked Lord Grey about
the Irish question. that bugbear of
British politicians. He admitted that
lit was serious question and said he
did not see how complete self-govern-
ment could be given to Ireland until
Ulster agreed to the arrangement, an
idea very prevalent among we'll
informed people here. Saunders also
asked what the English people
thought of the enthusiastic reception
of de Valera, the President Of Ire
land" in the United States.
Really" he replied, they don't
think much aboutit. You see nobody
in England knows how to pronounce
his name. so he's not talked about"
With regard to prohibition, ques-
ton which is discussed wherever
English and American people get to-
gether. Lord Grey made the obvious
remark that Great Britain is not yet
educated to the point of realizing the
social advantages which would be
very unexpected.
But" he added, lit is always the
unexpected that happens"