New-York tribune., 1922-09-16
Balft'tnr Against
Lloyd Georges ;
Trip to Geneva
Premier's Proposed Address
toLeague on Disarmament
WorriesBrifi Diploaaaatss
Fear l. o 9 of Prestige
Likely to Spill. !. Assembly
France and England Far
From, Accord; Time Held
Inopportune for Speech
BY Wilbur Forrest
u4.,5 rr1,hr, tn mr., f,,.s buun

Copyright, 18s2. New York Tribune INC
GENEVA, Sept i5-Pemier Lloyd
Georges desire to come to Geneva and
speak to the Assembly OF the League
Of Nations on disarmament and, ac-
cording to private advices from the
Premier himself. 'heip this worthy
cause along" may be counterrianded by
Earl Balfour, it developed to-day.
IL Floyd George comes, it now seems
almost certain he will promise his For
eign Minister to abstain from precipi-
tating the league into divisional po-'
litical fight which is feared by Lord
Baifour and his supporters.
Sir Edward Grigg, Lloyd Georges
secretary, who acted as the Premier's
spokesman at the conference at Genoa,
ararived here to-day, announcing that
the Premier was still undetermined
whether to come to Switzerland or not.
Sir Edward sought an interview to-day
league officials, and it Is expected he
will communicate with his chief as to
how the land lies. There could be no
other explanation Of Sir Edwards
presence here except the cropping out
within the league of objections to
Lloyd Georges coming.
Fears Are Twofold
The Earl Of Balfour's fears are
probably twofold. First, Lloyd George
can only hurt his own prestige il he
attempts to dictate what the league
shall do and the result OF his efforts
are buried in some obscure commit
tee; second, there is as yet no COM
plete agreement between the French
and British delegates on disarmament
and Lloyd Georges presence might
have unhappy results bearing on
future negotiations on irlter-Allied
debts and reparations.
Another fear of Lord Balfour's was
reflected in his speech before the As
sembly a week ago, when he forcefully
objected to Lord Robert Cecil's idea
that the league should take up such
affairs as Asia Minor in view of the
Allied inability to settle them. Lloyd
George may have decided to suggest
here that in view of the growth of
league sentiment in England during the
last year it is time to give the league
a chance to make good.
What will be the outcome of Lord
Balfour's attempt to direct the moves
ment of his chief cannot be forecasted,
Sir Edward Grigg announced to-day
that he expected to remain here sevA
eral days, and in the mean time his
movements will be of extreme interest.
Cecil Hopes Premier Appears
Lord Robert Cecil told the Tribune
correspondent to-day that he was still
hopeful of Lloyd Georges presence
here, as it would undoubtedly be use
full if he really has anything to say
AS has already been explained in The
Tribune, Lord Robert hagenow maneu-
vered Lloyd George into a position I'm
which he will have no other alternative
than to support Lord Roberts proposal
for general guaranty treaty to begin
some accurate understanding among
the Greater nations of Europe
Lloyd George first launched the guar
anty pact plan at Genoa, where it
failed as q result of the Rapallo treaty.
French circles are suspicious of Lloyd
Georges Intentions in coming to
Geneva, fearing another attempt to lay
the blame for artnaments at the door
of France. But if the Premier Ia agree
able to Lord Robert Cecil's plan there
is plenty of indication that the French
deleation is willing to talk business.
British figures available here a few
days ago setting the effectives of the
French army at more than 100000
caused the French to retaliate with
league data showing the number to be
about 100000 less. In the mean time
the friends of the league are not anx-
ious to see tho leagues disarmament
thunder lost in the noise of Anglo
FRENCH polcmics and Lloyd George
would find no sympathy for such a
move here. Undoubtedly the Earl Of
Balfour has sensed this and made It
clear to Lloyd George
Although Hungary was admitted to
the, league to-day and Henri Bergson
spoke at length on the need for greater
intellectual cooperation among ma
tons, all subjects were dwarfed BY the
British split over Lloyd Georges pres
ence.
GENEVA, Sept. Is (By The Associ-
ated Press). Prime Minister Lloyd
George's much-heralded visit to Geneva
again appears to be doubtful. His
coming was considered certain when
his private secretary, Sir Edward
Grigg, arrived here last evening, but
Sir Edward himself, after conferrina
with Lord Balfeur, said to-day he
could not say whether the Premier wa
coming or not.
Sir Edward explained he came Co
IeHeSsa 10 see WhaC was going on here.
There is a great deal of speculation
this evening as to the real object of
his visit. His statement that he was
unable to announce whether Mr.. Lloyd
George was coming is taken as mean
ing there is opposition in the British
delegation to the Prime Minister'S
presence here, and that his secretary
came to see If it was possible to over
come that opposition.