The New York herald., 1922-10-22
LLOYD GEORGE HOTLY
DEFENDS COALITION,
/. SILENT ON CAMPA Align
Declares Nations Welfare
Must Be Put Before
That of Parties.
CONDEMNS DIE-HARDS
Aids Advise Silence on His
Future Course Until
Bonar Law Acts.
MAY FORM NEW PARTY
Receives Enthusiastic Well
come in London on Return
From Leeds.
MAY FORM NEW PARTY

Special Gable 70 THE NEW York HERALD
CobUioht, 1899. bv TIE New YORK HpxaLp.
LEEDS, England, Oct. 21.-With a
brilliant defense of the coalition gov
ernment David Lloyd George, before
an audience of 5000 Liberal support
ers. to-day accepted the challenge OF
the die hard Conservatives, and in a
dramatic outburst declared he would
still, as always. ba democrat.
"The banner of party strife has
been hoisted.' he declared. THE peo-
pie must decide whether the party or
the nation comes first stand for the
people"
Mr.. Lloyd Georges audience felt
that 1t was historic occasion and
they hoped for declaration of the
plan of campaign which he speaker
would adopt to restore 'he coalition.
In this, however. II was disap.
pointed Mr.. Lloyd George carefully
abstained from outlining a program.
PurposeIy withhoIds Program.
1t was learned later that Mr.. Lloy6
George hao purposely withheld out
lining plan of campaign upon the
eleventh hour advice of Cabinet sup-
porters. 1t is reported that he was
advised by telegram ito say moth
ing" and he did so. His party. which
lis still indistinct. but certainly in the
process of formation, wanted to let
Bonar Law make the first move, and
as a result Mr.. Lloyd George will
maintain silence a few days more,
probably until the middle of next
week.
The Leeds speech was. disappoint-
ing even to his supporters, but they
returned to London smiling. which
was remarkable in contrast to their
feeling when they left the Majestic
Theater in Leeds this afternoon, and
their smiles broadened when their
train drew in to st. Pancras station,
where a great ovation greeted Mr..
Lloyd George, and the cheering con-
tinued many minutes. rivalling any
thing he had received on his trip.
IL was q demonstration entirely un-
expected because it was nearly IL
o'clock. but an echo of cheers followed
his car out of the station.
Lloyd George Ready to Fight.
THE NEW YORK HERALD correspond
xsteh r.f
Mr.. Lloyd Georges ablest lieutenants
during the last few days is able 10
state without qualification that Mr..
Lloyd George is prepared TO fight. He
is not quitting, he is not retiring. he
is not going to pass quietly into civil
ian life.
His spirits are high and his lieuten-
ants believe that he will not only be
able 10 form a Government. but that
labor will so closely approximate the
Conservative strength that the Lloyd
George party, with eighty Liberals and
perhaps an equal number OF support
ing Conservatives. will hold the key TO
the situation and be in a position to
arrange some sort Of a cooperating
government. which Is known to be
Lloyd Georges ambition.
Mr.. Lloyd George aroused enthusi-
asm when he recounted the history
OF the coalitions efforts in solving the
grave problems Of the country. and
asserted that It was just beginning TO
settle them satisfactorily when the
coalition was shattered. He said the
salvation OF the country lay in the
completion OF the coalitions works.
and denounced what he called the dc
hard minority's success In its plot,
charging that Il was disappointed be-
cause 1t had failed to point the way 20
recovery.
No Time Before for Defense.
During the last six years / have
done the hardest work OF my life while
criticism was pouring in.' he said IN
the beginning Of his address. There
has been no time 70 tell the people
the real story. ! am willing now 20
put my record in the hands of the
people" he said.
Mr.. Lloyd George defended the treaty
of Versailles and the League OF Ma
tions.
He paid tribute to Andrew Bonsr
Law. saying: "He is still friend OF
mine, and / will say nothing to end
Z that friendship" Tho statement was
in reply to a query hurled from the
audience and evoked applause.
There was great outburst Of ap-
proval whom he detailed Arthur Bal
four's schioverrnts al the wafx.ag-
ton Conference on the Limitation OF