Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-05
BY A. G. GARDINER.
Special Dispatch to The Tribune.


Copyright. 1922. by The Grea, FAILS Tribune.
London. Nov. 4.-Lioyd George has
gone to bed with a cold. This IN
itself is small fact, but most signifi-
cant of the amazing comedy and con-
fusion that now prevails. Whatever
his indisposition is in reality, there Is
little doubt that it is one ''ef con-
venience." The fortunes of the former
premier, however, exceed disposal TO
pass. He does not know which way TO
turn and for the moment silence is the
only expedient.
The entire parliamentary battle and
the result of the coming election cen
ters around his personality. and for
once his genius for political maneuver-
ing is completely oyershadowed.
The younger chief organizer of the
conservative party, his main foe, has
outwitted him step by step. and having
brought about the overthrow of the
coalition, has now resolved to tumble
Lloyd George once and for all in the
mud.
Nation Divided
The country. watching the drama.
is bewildered and torn between con-
flicting emotions. Lloyd George is
still name to conjure with for the
man in the street. Once the darling
of the liberals, then of the tories, he
is now rejected by both but still re-
tains great popular following. His
weakness is that he has no organlza-
ton behind him. With plenty of
money and plenty of prestige he has
no political machine.
His plan of campaign seems vislbly
failing. The keynote of his method is
to secure the election of Il sufficient
personal following which would allow
him to dominate the new parliament.
He has calculated that Bonar Law will
not have sufficient conservatives TO
command majority in the house.
This would force him to seek his help
and thus restore the coalition with
Lloyd George again in power, not as
premier, it is true, but as mayor OF
the palace. 1t was for this reason
that he hesitated to turn his guns on
the conservatives, but Bonar Law has
countered by running candidates
everywhere against Lloyd George sup
porters and thus forcing a final rup-
ture. The former premier protested
against this action, which he character
lied as treachery, but his younger op-
ponent is merciless. The result IS
that Lloyd George is caught in a cleft
stick, having delayed too long in
making overtures to the liberals on
one side and in attacking the con-
seryatives on the other.
Plans Retaliation
He threatens now to retaliate by
flooding all conservative constituencies
with candidates of his own. He is
said to have $50 prospective candi-
dates ready to be launched in such II
campaign of revenge. But Bonar Law
laughs mt the potency of such an army
that is not backed by an organization.
He seems to have Lloyd George by
the throat and refuses to let so. 1t
looks improbable that Lloyd George
will pursue his threat, which must end
in fiasco for himself. Meanwhile his
prospects are darkened hourly. 1t is
now calculated that he may not have
a following of more than 80. or 40.
This would be important. however,
should the conservative be unable TO
command majority. His party would
be the only one to which Bonar Law
could look for help. This very con-
sideration probably will lead Lloyd
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