The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-11-23
RUMOR SAYS THAT
LORD FRENCH NOT
TO RESIGN As VICE
ROYAL Of IRELAND
May, However, Be Dissatis-
fled Because of His Man.
ifest Lack of Home Of
flee Influence

Dublin, Nov. 23.-The rumors that
Lord French is about to retire from
the office of lord lieutenant because
he is dissatisfied with his lack Of
influence on policy are regarded in
usually well-informed circles here, as
without foundation in fact. His role
was definitely settled several months
ago when Sir Hamar Greenwood and
General Macready came 10 ireland
and no change has since taken place.
When first appointed Lord French
was accompanied by Mr., Shortt as
chief secretary and the arrangement
was that each should have an equal
voice in the administration. When
they differed the difference was re-
ferred to the cabinet. Where there
was no time to make the reference
Lord Frenchs view prevailed. This
plan did not work well. Neither
party was satisfied. Each minister
thought ne could do better without
the other. Mr.. Shortt was sent away
TO the home office, and Lord French
was allowed to choose a chief secre-
tary not as colleague but as
subordinate. and he chose Mr.. Mac
pherson, of whom he had had
a favorable experience when Mir. Mae
pherson was under secretary Of war.
Lord French is said to have inter-
jered in all the details OF admins
tration. He tired Of the job and
welcomed the change which brought
Sir Hamar Greenwood as real chief
secretary directly representing the
cabinet, and General Macready 10
control the armed forces. The three
men have since got on well together
and the viceroy is understood 10 be
content with q mainly ornamental
position which relieves him from much
trouble
The salary attached to his post is
500 900 a year with various addi-
tional allowances, and with some con-
cessions in The matter Of income tax.
Previous viceroys found the sum in
sufficient and some Of them who
were wealthy men supplemented 1t
out Of their private means. But then
there were levees, drawing rooms,
dances and entertainments on a large
scale in the castle. all modelled in
imitation of the functions of the royal
court of London These have not
been resumed since the war which
suspended them, and the entertain
ments are few and on the modest
scale in the Vicercgal Lodge, which
T f, 10 "
many Irish country mansions.
The viceroyalty is thus now an Of
flee of considerable profit, and since
in the new conditions it is involving
its holder in less labor and anxiety,
there is every lnducement for him to
remain in 1t.
II is n convenience TO the govern
ment that Lord French should stay.
1t would no: be easy to find suit
able successor Unless, therefore.
Lord Frcnch's health breaks down Il
change is considered unlikely.
Should complete reversal take
place in present methods Of Irish ad-
ministration and new policy Of con-
citation be iuaugurated, there would
be a change in all the Irish offices,
Three names are mentioned as pos
sible viccroys in that event. Lord
Decies, who married Miss Gould. Of
New York, is constantly spoken Of.
He is personally very popular with
all classes and Is a very genial man
typlcally Irish IN his ways, lie would
be an ornamental lord lieutenant Of
the old spending style.
II the lord lieutenant were to have
the real as we'll as the merely noml-
nal power, Lord Northclffo is mem
toned as a possible choice. Another
/ likely man Is Lord Shaftcsbury who
made an important speech at the
I Irish peace conference and whose
role would be. while conclliatng Irish
feeling generally, to secure the adj
hesion OF Belfast where he has great
! interests.
If, owing, to reasons OF health, Lord
French should 80 during the con-
tinuauce OF the present regime the
most probable successor is believed
to be the Marquis Of Londonderry.