The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-11


 George should witness the settle ment 'of the Irish question-more than seven centuries old--history would hold a high place tor the mon arch now upon the throne.
 The King in any event has taken himself out of the figurehead class. His bravery in going to Ireland at the height of the disturbances there and his speech from the Ulster throne did much to heighten his popularl- .Asty. Naturally, the current legends 4. .i.labout sl--unEloNed d--handlinga-.oi llIirloyd GeeEga--haVe.- made him much lIliralked about also, and have done lNhim no harm.
 Despite the hectic denials which were entered following the famous alleged Nortcliffe interview in the United States, King George did take Lloyd George severely to task when he was on the eve of sending rein forcements to Ireland to carry on the war.
 People Gasp at Interview
 The people, not only in London' but in Paris and all the other con tinental, capitals, gasped when they read the original interview, long pc fore either the King had branded It, or Lord Northcliffe repudlated It. The story of the Kings angry Inter vention in the Irish crisis had peen going the rounds of the drawing rooms and clubs and had even ap- neared in the continental press Tn somewhat disunited form. It is one of those stories that are told ana re- told with impunity (gathering strength and detail with every re- telling) until finally they are vouched for by some prominent individual un- lucky enough to repeat them in pup lie. Then comes the scathlng oe- nunciation of tho teller.
 What is the truth underlying all the confuson? Remember that King George and his prime minister are sunnosed to have had a rather sharp exchange of words in private. oo- vjouslv. then, nobody else can tel inc whole story at first hand. But if seems clear that the King dld In teryene, and did suggest that oefore the intended new endorsements were sent to Ireland in pursuance or policy of force without stint there should be some attempt at re- conciliation.
 welcomed Suggestion
 Now that Lloyd George has been casting about for months for some way of letting go the tail of the Irish bear, there is reason to believe that the Kings suggestion was most welcome to him. When the whoie truth comes out, it will probably be found that the premier reported the Kings suggestion to the cabinet anu that the tory ministers charged nln' with betraying them ana recon mending to his majesty a policy or capitulation to the rebels what X more natural in such circumstances than for Lloyd George to turn ronno lwnd say. "Gentlemen, assure you 'fhat the King has sd gGested thiss on his own tnitia ttxea after l had toio him of our intention to send further troops. told him that the sense of jthe cabinet was opposed to anything |lIthat mi giit5 look ike weakness. 4out III Ais majesty~bHgged me to convey to 'llniou his sRrhe est desire to intervene \ ',,ersonally in the hope of effecting ,l,m stoppaee of bloodshed Gentlemen, 'IEkis majesty is aware of his consti- I lIltutional limftationsa but there Is his. z frank opinion. What is your pleas urer'
 After such a talk as that it would not be strange if some member ol the cabinet let drop a hint outside to the effect that the King pulled Lloyd George up pretty sharply on his Irish pOl1Cy, anu dHyoHe Who knows the way gossip grows may easily fill out the successive stages In the story that finally appeared in New York as coming from Lord Northcliffe.
 Getting the King to issue denial to the Northcliffe interview was master stroke on the part of Lloyd George. He at once made the ale xStions in the interview appear an attack on the King rather than the prime minister. In fact, even the strong coalition papers, on the day the interview was printed, did not suggest that any disrespect to his majesty was implied, but he royal denial made it look as if the King had taken it very much to heart It was a clever stroke. but Lloyd George will be well advised not to over- work that method of rolling with his opponents. otherwise he will expose himself to the charge of duplicating the King in party politics.