The New York herald., 1921-07-30
PRIME MINISTER
ASSAILS INTERVIEW
Continued from First Page.

a conference without conditions. 1t Is
true that just before the King made
his epochal speech at Belfast Lord
Birkenhead. Lord Chancellor. in the
House of Lords came out vigorously
for no compromise with Sim Fein, and
that speech was authoritatively de-
scribed at the time as representing the
considered and voted decision Of the
Cabinet
Very few hours later. however. some
thing happened and the King'S speech
also was considered decision OF the
Cabinet. Premier Lloyd George himself
has been generally credited with swing
ing the Cabinet that way by winning
over one or two neutral members who
outvoted the military element. still
eager for a knockdown and dragout
fight to the finish with Sim Feln.
Government organs like the Evenino
Standard deeply resent what 1t calls
Lord Northcliffes effort TO discredit
Premier Lloyd George in foreign coun-
try. where he max soon be called on to
play n most important role for Eng
land. AS to all attacks against Mr..
Lloyd George during the last year and
more when the post war resentment was
rising against him. the invariable answer
of the Lloyd George organs Is Bring
on a champion who can lick him." there
L. no serious effort TO make It appear
that Lord Northcliffe Is personally am
bilious In his efforts to slay Mr.. Lloyd
George.
Lord Northcliffe's own friends indig-
nantly deny that he would ever try for
the Premiership. Ir certain Government
circles the story has been assfduously
put about tha' Northcliffe did want to
represent England at the Washington
conference. but this, too. the publishers g
friends deny They point to to-day's
unanimous lineup against Northcliffe in
the House OF Commons as the best proof
hat he has not taken any OF those
measures Of conciliation for making
friends with Mammon and iniquity''
which the yeriest neophite with political
ambitions would take
Lord Northcliffe's first open attacks on
Premier Lloyd George began year
ago when he took the French side on
the Frankfort occupation and remained
Francophle throughout the ensuing
tense hours with the Entente to the
great embarrassment OF Downing Street.
The two men had broken personally
long before this. but since the Frank
fort incident Lord Northcliffe's opposi-
ton has been switching from one point
to another and Mr.. Lloyd Georges pep
perry answers stirred the bitter blood to
the fevered pitch which is now evident.
The recall OF the invitations OF British
Ambassador Sir Auckland Geddes to
Lord Northcliffe 10 visit the Embassy
and to the dinner In his honor APP
parently also proved large factor In
bringing the row 10 head The
Foreign Office denied that Lord Curzon
coerced the Ambassador or influenced
his decision. The publication OF the
New York Times interview clears up the
wonder here az TO what prompted AM
bassador Geddes to act as he did. Off
cials admit OF course that Ambassador
Geddes did just the right thing.
SO far as any further punitive meas
ures against Lord Northcliffe 20. officials
generally deny that they will be taken.
They say that the matter can safely he
left TO the peoples good sense. Aside
from the violently pro-Govcrnnent and
highly influential stonddrd the other
evening newspapers ignore the incident
except 10 give brief accounts OF Premier
Lloyd Georges statement In the House
OF Commons regarding the Kings letter.
Lord Northclfrc's own Evening Ncvs
also prints at the top of tho front page
despatch telling Of Northcliffes ninety
minute talk with President Harding.
Lord Northcliffe has always played in
dependent politics--ns a matter OF fact.
the Times edltoriaily has not heSitated 10
commend Premier Lloyd George on come
recent occasions--but he has no direct
followers.
London has for some time been full