The New York herald., 1921-07-29
LORD NORTHCLFFE
BARRED FROM DINNER
BY BRITISH EMBASSY
Invitations Given to London
Publisher Are Recalled
When He Arrives in
Washington.
HE LAYS 1T TO CURZON
Says Foreign Secretary,
Wincing Under Criticism,
Tries Tricks He Used
When in India. I
LONG TALK WITH HARDING
Owner of London Times and
President Discuss Newspa-
per Problems for More
Than an Hour.
LONG TALK WITH HARDING

WASHINGTON, July 2s.-Lord North.
cliffe. the British publisher. now in
the United States, in a statement
issued here tonight said that "for
reasons of which he Is not aware"
invitations extended to him to stay
at the British Embassy and to attend
a dinner there tonight had been
withdrawn.
Knowing the methods in India of
Lord Curzon, the British Foreign
Secretary" the statement declared
Lord Northcliffe is pretty certain
that Lord Curzon has adopted those
methods here"
The British publishers statement
conveyed the impression that the
whole matter involved in the report.
ed cancellation OF invitations was an
outgrowth Of the recent controversy
between Lord Northcliffe and Lord
Curzon. Soon after President Hard
ing made his overtures for disarm-
ament conference the London Times,
the leading paper published by.
Northcliffe, opposed the suggestion
that Lord Curzon be appointed one
of the British delegates and attacked
both the Foreign Secretary and Pre-
mier Lloyd George.
This attack was followed by sus-
pension Of privileged rights enjoyed
for years by the London Times. "A
Northcliffe paper. in the obtaining OF
news from the British Foreign Office.
These developments have stirred
England for several weeks.
.Inaccuratc," Em mbassy Comment.
Lord Northcliffe issued his state
ment tonight after questions had been
asked him concerning current rumors
that invitations extended him by the
Embassy had been withdrawn on in
structions from London. The only
comment obtainable from the Embassy
with, respect to the reports were that
they were inaccurate"
It was established. however, that
Lord Northcliffe was staying at a
hotel, where he had gone on his ar
rival in Washington early in the day
from New York. The publisher visited
the White House in the afternoon and
passed an hour and twenty minutes
with President Harding
He was presented to Mr.. Harding
by II. wickham Steed, editor OF the
London Times. but the failure OF SIR
Auckland Geddes. the British Ambas-
sador. to accompany the publisher was
not considered significant in that Lord
Northcliffe on arriving in this country
stressed that he was not on an Official
mission or in an oficial capacity.
/ Statement by NorthcIine.
The statement as issued by Lord
Northcliffe follows:
Lord Northcliffe tonight authorized
the statement that he had been invited
while in Washington TO stop at the Brit
| ish Embassy with his entire staff and 20
attend a dinner there tonight. For
some reason OF which he Is not aware
both invitations were withdrawn. Know
ing the methods In India OF Lord Cur
zon. the British Foreign Secretary. Lord
Northcliffe IL pretty certain that Lord
Curzon had adopted those methods here.
In India. while vic.roy. he cut of the
news supply of newspapers that criti-
cised him and placed a social embargo
on their writer's. On the present occa-
sion Lord Northciiffe says Lord Curzon
IS not dealing with Indian natives or
the owners OF small Indian newspapers
Lord Northcliffe regrets he cannot
/ visit with his friend. Sir Auckland
Geddes, 10 whom he paid his respects
| to-day after being with President Har-
ding at the White House. but Is consoled
concerning the cancelled Embassy din
ner by the fact that he will meet to-
| morrow night at 81 dinner all tho people
who were originally invited to the En-
bassy dinner"
after his talk with President Harding
to-day Lord Northciiffe insisted that the
conversation was an exchange OF views
between newspaper publishers.
"wc talked newspapers" he said when
an attempt was made to draw him into
discussion OF his conference with the
\ President
II am not TO be drawn" he said In
reply TO insistent questions about dis.
armament. ~ have been In the game
too long myself"
! Members OF Lord Northclire's party
! fsld they understood that President
l Harding and The Cabinet were 20 have
attended the embassy dinner tonight
/ and that after receiving Instructions
! from London Ambassador Geddes was
/ forced to cancel all of these invitations.
! Although the British Embassy would
make no statement on the subject Il
vas reported the Ambassador called per-
| sonally on members OF the Cabinet and
| explained the situation.
The British Embassy was in semi
| darkness tonight. and inquiries from
newspaper reporters as 20 the facts con-
| rccted with the cancellation of Lord
| NnrthcIiffata Nislf nlirifnd No resroNnan-