Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-07-29
PUBLISHER LAYS
BLAME At DOOR
OF LORD CURz0N
Northcliffe Says He Is
Not Surprised at the
Action of Embassy.
Spends Afternoon With
President Harding Dis
cussing Newspapers

Washington, July 2S.-Lord North
ciffe, the British publisher, now in the
United States, in statement issued
here tonight, said ''for reasons of
which he is not aware" invitations ex-
bassy and to attend a dinner there
Thursday night, had been withdrawn.
Knowing the methods in India of
Lord Curzon, the British foreign sec
retary," the statement declared, Lord
Northcliffe is pretty certain that Lord
Curzon has adopted these methods
here"
Result of Controversy.
The statement conveyed the impress
sion that the matter involved in the
reported cancellation of invitations
was an outgrowth of the recent con-
troversy between Lord Northcliffe and
Lord Curzon. Soon after President
Harding made his overtures for dis
armament conference, the London
Times, the leading paper published by
Lord Northcliffe, opposed the sug-
gestion that Lord Curzon be appoint
ed one of the British delegates to the
proposed conference and attacked both
the foreign secretary and Premier
Lloyd George.
This, attack was followed by suspen-
sion Of privilege rights enjoyed for
years by the Eondon Times, North
cliffe paper. in the obtaining of news
from the British foreign office. These
developments have stirred England tor
several weeks.
Embassy Silent.
Lord Northcliffe issued his state
ment after questions had been asked
him concerning current rumors that
invitations extended him by the EN-
bassy had been withdrawn on in
structions from London. The only
comment obtainable from the embassy
with respect to the reports was that
they were inaccurate
Visits President.
II was established that Lord North
cliffe was stopping at local hotel ana
had gone there on his arrival in WASH
ington early in the day from New YORK.
The publisher visited President HARD
ing in the afternoon, discussing, as the
visitor said. Newspapers" The fali-
nre of Sir Auckland Geddes, the Brit
ish ambassador, to accompany the pup
Usher. was not considered significant.
Friend Of Ambassador.
It was learned that invitations to
Lord Northcliffe to make his nome at
the British embassy during his vlslt
to Washington was extended by AM
bassador Geddes several months ago
and long before the publication OF the
criticism of Lord Curzon in the London
Times. As set out in Lord North
cliffe's statement, he and Sir Auckland
Geddes have been personal friends OF
long standing and 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 program OF enter
tainment of the visitor to give a dinner
at the embassy Thursday night to
which would be bidden as guests many
officials and prominent persons IN
Washington. So far as could be learn
ed. while tentative list of guests had
been drawn up, the formal invitations
never were issued, undoubtedly for the
reason that the occurrence Of the rup-
ture between Lord Curzon and the Lon
don Times and it's owner, occurring as
it did, made it evidently impossible to
carry out these plans.
The Associated Press cable dispatch
of July IL summarized the editorial In
the Times as follows:
Editorial Bitter.
'Tt declares that neither the premier
nor the foreign minister is fitted by
his position, his temperament and his
past career to take direct part In
these negotiations
Concluding it's editorial with bitter
criticism of Lloyd George and Lord
Curzon, the Times said:
''It is for the same reason of avoid
ing suspicion that the attendance of
Premier Lloyd George and Lord Cur
zon in Washington seems particularly
undesirable. The great qualification
needed by the representatives of this
empire is character for conspicuous
-forwardness and honor. Mr.. '
Lloyd George does not possess this
character. OF all statesmen in Europe
he probably is most distrusted. In
America he is widely regarded as
man who encompassed President Will
son with his 'wizordry.'"
The newspaper then turns to Lord
Curzon alleging that his 'pompous"
and pretentious manner and incapacity
for business do not fit him to discharge q
The responsible duties the mission would
impose" e
WILL DEBATE BURDICK. 8
Grand Forks. N. D., July 2S.-
George e. Duis, chairman of the c
Il ~ | r