Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-09-13
Inside Story of the Famous
NorthCIiffe Interview That
Was Denied Is ToId---HoW
Premier Unanswered
BY VIM. BIRD
Copyright, 1921

Neased Wire Service to The JournaI.)
Great Britain usually takes it's kings
good naturally, regarding them as an en-
PIE or symbol, much as Americans regard
the great seal of the state department. But
it appears that George V is making the.
king business very popular institution
in England just now. His deep interest i'm
bringing about a settlement in Ireland has
zone much to add to his popularity and
ne IS hopeful that Irish peace may be
tire outstanding accomplishment of his
reign.)
LONDON, Sept. 1O.-One does not
have to be in London more than a
day or two to scent the fact that
King George is just now at the
height Of his popularity. He is gen.
orally given credit for bringing
about the Irish truce and of direct
ing the government to go further
than it ever had gone before in Of
fering everything to Ireland short
of separation from the empire
The king today is watching the
latest phase of the controversy, hope
full that the discordant Irish e1e-
ments may be brought into confer
ence and that out of this conference
permanent peace may come.
Of course, King George has never
been a strong" monarch. In fact
he has been regarded as very pale
indeed compared to his sturdy faith
err. But if the reign Of George V
should witness the settlement of
centuries old-history would hold
high place for the monarch now upon
the throne.
The king in any event has taken
himself out Of the figurehead class.
His bravery in going to Ireland 1T
the height of the disturbances there
and his speech from the Ulster throne
did much to heighten his popularity.
Naturally the current legends about
George have made him much talked
about and have done him no harm.
Reports Persist
Despite the hectic denials which
were entered following the famous
alleged Northcliffe interview in the
United States the report persists
that the king did take Lloyd George
eve of sending reinforcements to
Ireland to carry on the war.
People 'in the know" not only in
London, but in Paris and all the
when they read the original inter-
view, long before either the king had
branded it, or Lord Northcliffe re-
pudiated it. The story of the kings
angry intervention in the Irish
crisis has been going the rounds of
the drawing rooms and clubs, and
had even appeared in the continental
press in somewhat disunited form.
It is one of those stories that are
told and retold with impunity. gath
ering strength and detal with ev-
cry retelling) until finally they are
dividual unlucky enough to repeat
them in public. Then comes the
scathing denunciation Of the teller.
What is the truth underlying all
the confusion? Remember that King
George and his prime minister are
exchange of words in private. OBJ
viously, then, nobody else can tell
the whole story at first hand. But
it seems clear that the king did in
tervene, and did suggest that be-
fore the intended new reinforcements
were sent to Ireland in pursuance of
policy of force without STINT"
there should be some attempt at
reconciliation.
Now that Lloyd George has been
casting about for months for some
way of letting go the tail of the Irish
that the kings suggestion was most
welcome to him. When the whole
truth comes out, it will probably be
found that the premier reported the
kings suggestion to the cabinet ,o and
that the Tory ministers charged him
with betraying them and recon-
mending to his majesty policy of
capitulation to the rebels" What
more natural, in such circumstances,
than for Lloyd George to turn
round and say:
Lloyd George Speaks
Gentlemen, L assure you that the
king has suggested this on his own
initiative, after 1 had told him OF
our intention to send further troops.
I told him that the sense of this
cabinet was opposed to anything
that might look like weakness, but
his majesty begged me to convey
to YOU his earnest desire to inter
vene personally in the hope of eff
fecting a stoppage of bloodshed:;
Gentlemen, his majesty is aware OF
his constitutional limitations, but
there is his frank opinion. What is
your pleasure?"
After such a talk as that, 1t would
not be strange if some member of
the cabinet let drop hint outside
to the effect that "the king pulled
George up pretty sharp on his irlsh
policy" and anyone who knows the
way gossip grows may easily III
out the successive stages IN the
story that finally appeared in New
York as coming from Lord North
cliffe. ,
= Getting the king to issue denial
Of the Northcliffe interview was a
master stroke on the part OF Lloyd
George. He at once made the al
legations in the interview appear, an