New-York tribune., 1922-03-20
Ilovd George
Y aCatiO12 L.
Held E}ls1n,de1
tcortinu,d from rage cre)


LLOYD George and so has the Anglo
French alliance Although Allied ox-
perts have already begun to gather
here to talk over the agonda for the
Genoa meeting, there is widespread
belief that the conference viii either
be postponed or abandoned entirely.
With Lloyd George interested less and
less in international projects and more
and more in his own political fortunes
the Genoa idea has been largely shot to
pieces, because from tho first he has
ben its principal exponent Italy con
siders the conference white elephant.
France doesn't want it, the British
public is indifferent, and even Germany.
Russia and the neutrals are losing IN
terest To arouse enthusiasm for the
gathering anew would be an almost
herculcan task for which Lloyd George
IS not fitted, and if he is busy about
April 10 in forcing a general election
IN his country and attempting to rout
his enemies ne will have no time to
give to conference considerations.
The French and ether Continental
impression through Europe that Lloyd
George no longer commands a popular
majority in his own country and con-
seqUently could not be any more of a
power at Genoa, even if he went there,
than Woodrow Wilson was on his sec
ond visit to Versailles
New Line-lp Essential
While there is only little founda-
ton for such view, it is granted in
Great Britain that there must be 3 po~
litical reorganization before Lloyd
George could hope to go to Genoa with
any real measure of support at home.
1t is not likely that he viii switch over
from Liberal to Conservative in an eff
fort to retain a majority He may be-
come chief of new Centrist group,
but his real Gesirc is to be the ac-
knowledged leader of the Liberals-a
position which Asquith will challenge
to the bitter end because he cannot
forgive the colleague who outmanu-
vered him in 1916. British political OBJ
servers believe that the Conservatives
Will lose some seats at the next cleo
ton while the Liberals and Labor VIII
make large gains, but they doubt
whether any party viii establish a
clear majority in Parliament, which
means that some form Of coalition
must be made.
The chances Of Labor forming a GOV
ernment are extremely remote. but it
is quite possible that the party Will
hold the balance of power. Labor is
most unlikely to furnish any members
of the new government, although what
ever party is in power would welcome
Labor with open arms, if only to stife
criticism from the Labor members.
Conservatives Are Hopeful
The conservatives are not in the least
discouraged by the immediate or remote
prospects confronting them.
Sir George Younger has brought his
political army into excellent tactical
position, and this despite the violent
opposition of Lloyd George. If, as ex-
pected, the Premier resigns, the Con-
servatives certainly will essay the task
of governing the country. although the
period of Lloyd Georges successor may
be short
Lloyd George who has enjoyed a long
reign only because of Conservative sup
port, cannot withhold his support when
the positions are reversed. But just as
Chamberlain and Lord Birkenhead
failed to hold the Conservative ranks
together, so Lloyd George might find
difficulty in keeping intact the ranks
of the coalition Liberals. That is the
reason why general election seems to
be only matter of comparatively few
weeks