The New York herald., 1921-07-29

II was learned that an invitation 10
Lord Ncrthcliffe TO make his home al
TIE British Embassy during his visit 70
Washington was extended by Anlbassa-
dor Geddes several months ago and long
before the publication OF the criticism
OF Lord Curzon in the London Tunes
which led the Minister for Foreign
Affairs to adopt punitive measures
toward the British Journal
AS set out in Lord Northcliffe's state
ment tonight. he and Sir Auckland
Geddes have been personal friends OF
long standing and IL was understood
that the extension of the hospitality OF
the embassy to Lord Northcliffe and his
stah was on purely personal footing.
Dinner Set for Last Night.
1t was part of the programme. OF
entertainment for the visitor to give a
dinner at the embassy tonight to
which would be hidden as guests many
officials and prominent persons in
Washington whom Lord Northcliffe had
met on previous visits to Washington
or in London. So far as could be
learned. however. while tentative list
OF guests had been drawn up. the formal
invitations never were finally issued,
undoubtedly for the reason that the oc-
currence of the rupture between Lord
Curzon and the London Times and its
owner, occurring as 1t did, made it evil
IDENTIFY impossible to carry out these
plans.
II must be understood that the British
Embassy building in this capital, with
most of it's furnishings, is the property
OF the British Government-as much as
No. 10 Downing street. London-and
while ii is stated that Ambassador
Geddes did not receive any instrucuons
from London in regard to the entertain
n,ent OF Lord Northclfffe the Ambassa-
dor. of course, was fully aware of the
improperly of the use by him of the
property of the British Government to
entertain even a personal friend II that
person had fallen under the ban or the
Foreign Office. AS the clash between
Lord Curzon and Lord Northcliffe oc-
Cured before the departure of the latter
from England. July 16, 1t had been as
sumed by the embassy staff here that
the visitor had given full consideration
10 the conditions that would surround
his visit to Washington.
Cause of the Rupture.
The incident that caused the rupture
between the British Foreign :)fi1ce and
the Northcliffe press arose through the
publication in the London Times July l2
Of an article in its editorial columns
discussing the possible British represen-
tation in the Washington disarmament
conference. The Associated Press cable
despatch OF that date summarized the
editorial as follows:
''It 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 Cur
zon, the Times said:
"rt is for the same reason of avoid
ing suspicion that the attendance of Pre-
mier Lloyd George and Lord Curzon in
Washington seems particularly undesir-
able. The great qualification needed by
the representatives of this Empire Is
character for conspicuous straightfor-
wardness and honor.
"Mr Lloyd George does not possess this
character. OF all statesmen IN Europe
he probably Is most distrusted. In Amer
lea he is widely regarded as a man who
encompassed President Wilson with his
'wizardry."
The newspaper then turns to Lord
Curzon, alleging that his ''pompous and
pretentious manner and incapacity for
business do not it him to discharge the
responsible duties the mission would Inn
pose"