The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-29

Embassy silent
 The British embassy was in semi darkness tonight and inquiries from newspaper reporters as to the facts connected with the cancellation of Lord Northcliffe's visit el.cited no re- sponse beyond the statement that there was nothing to be said on be- half of the embassy or the ambas- sador.
 It was learned that the invitation to Lord Northcliffe to make his home at the British embassy during his visit to Washington was extended by Ambassadors Geddes several months ago, long before the publication of the criticism of Lord Curzon in the London Times which led the minister of foreign affairs to adopt punitive measures toward the great British. journal. As set out in Lord North cliffes statement tonight. he and Sir Auckland Geddes have been personal friends of long standing sand it was understood that the extension of the hospitality of the embassy to Lord Northcliffe and his staff was on a purely personal footing.
 It was part of the programme of entertainment of the visitor to give dinner at the embassy tonight to 1 which would be bidden as guests many officials and prominent per sons in Washington whom Lord Northcliffe had met on previous visits. to Washington or in London So far as could be learned. however. l while tentative list of guests had | been drawn up. the formal invita- I ..- f;,.u1 doubtedly because the rupture be- l tween Lord Curzon and. the London Times and it's owner made it evident | ly impossible to carry out these | plans. For it must be underst tood that the British embassy building in i this capital, with most of its fur nishings is the property of the Brit | ish government-as much so as No l 10 Downing street, London-ano while it is stated authoritatively that Ambassador Geddes did not receive instructions from London in regard to the entertainment of Lord North cliffe. the ambassador, of course, was i fully aware of the impropriety of the use by him of the property of the l British government to enertain 2
 personal friend if that person had fallen under the ban of the foreign office Inasmuch as the clash be- | tween Lord Curzon and Lord North cliffe took place before the departure | of the latter from England, July 16 l 1t had been assumed by the embassy staff here that the visitor had given | full consideration to the conditions l that would surround his visit tc Washington.
 l Published July F
 The incident which caused the rup- | ture between the British foreign of flee and the Northcltffe press arose through the publicati in tie Lon- don Times July 12 of an article in it's l editorial columns discussing the pos ssible British representation in the 1 Washington disarmament conference 1 The Associated Press cable dispatch of that date summarized the editorial as follows:
 Ut declares that neither the pre- mier nor tho foreign minister is | fitted by his position, his tempera- ment and his past career to take a direct part In these negotiations.
 Concluding its editorial with bitter criticism of Lloyd George and Lord Curzon the Times said;
 ''It is for the same reason of avoid i ing suspicion that the attendance of
 Premier Lloyd George and Lord Cur i zon in Washington seems particu. larly undesirable. The great quali- l fication needed by the representa- tives of this empire is character for | conspicuous straightforwardness and honor. Mir. Lloyd George does not possess this character. Of all states
 men in Europe, he probably. is most distrusted. In America he is widely
 regarded as a man who encompassed
 President Wilson with his wiz. I ardry.'"
 ! The newspaper then turns to Lo<t
 Curzon. alleging that his 'pompous 1 and pretentious manner and inca
 pacity for business do not fit hin I to discharge the responsible dutie. 1 the mission would impose.'