The New York herald., 1922-01-07
Lloyd Georges Initiative.

CANNES, Jan. 6 (ASsOciated PresS) -
Premier Lloyd George of Great Britain
took the most prominent part in the de-
liberations, speaking for an hour. In his
opinion a place for decisive action had
been reached IL the economic structure
of Europe was to be saved. Describing
the economic meeting of the Supreme
Council as the most important since the
armistice, he declared that the public
opinion of the world demanded that the
Allies take wider responsibilities to re-
vive Europe. e.-
Tho Prime Minister sounded a warn
ing that the Allies themselves must
solve the. problem of rehabilitating Eu-
rope economically, and he appealed to
them to forget their preJudices and CO.
operate with this end In view -,
Given the floor Immediately after the
French Premier, NJ. BRAND. had well
coined the delegations in the grand salon
of the Cannes Yacht Club. Mr.. Lloyd
George launched into. sharply pointed
references to the French clairns growing
out OF the war. He. said. the. British
were equally entitled to- put, forth claims,
since their taxes as a resultGof the war
were twice as heavy as those of any
other country .
The remark of the British Prime Min
ister that most impressed the delegates
was his reference to the prejudice that
might exist against entering into rela-
tions with the Soviet Government be-
cause IT had blood upon its hands.
"But." he declared. II know a country
which quite recently took the hand Of an
ASSASSIN in the Near East
The passage was Immediately trans
lated for NJ. BRAND, who first smiled at
the reference to the Angora treaty be-
tween France and the Turkish National
lists, and then retorted: Yes, but we
made his acquaintance in London"
This reference to the fact that the
Kemalists were invited to London to
confer with the Allies last spring pro-
vokedi laughter. The French Premier
refrained from other comment.
Regrets Absence of U. 5.
Mr.. Lloyd George. i'm his only brief
reference to the United States. declared; /;
II was sincerely hopeful that the great
republic Of the West might have joined
hands with us. / win not praiume to
express any opinion upon the attitude
OF that country. 1t has its own reasons"
But Europe certainly cannot afford
to ignore these conditions" he continued
rand inasmuch as responsibility for Eu-
rope must be with the victors in the
late war. we ought to assume that re-
sponsibility. And IL we do not take II
boldly and courageously, we need not
wait for history to condemn us We
should be condemned by the voice OF
our own countrymen. and that very
soon."
Mr.. Lloyd George declared the Allies
had reached point where they must act
declsively and broadly II the economic
structure of Europe was to be saved. He
said the present meeting of the Supreme
Council was the most important that had
been held since the armistlce. and that
the public opinion of the world demanded
that the Allies take wider responsobili-
ties to revive Europe.
II has been suggested, he continued,
that Great Britain was suggesting this
course in order to escape her obligations.
but he declared this was untrue, and that
England was prepared to carry out all
her obligations. Asking permission 10
speak frankly on the subject OF German
reparations. Mr.. Lloyd George said
This Is impossible unless II can be
by general agreement of the Allies
Failing this. the fruits of peace will rot
ungathered.
"The Allies" he continued. must
make allowances for each others opin-
Ions. Too much has been heard OF in
dividual claims and interests. All the
Allies have just claims. IL Is recog-
nized then that all have suffered and
sacrificed-some II Is true. more than
others. All the sacrifices are not re-
corded in evidences of devastation. AL
though formidable. this Is the last part
OF the havoc and devastation wrought
by the war"
The British Premier said he had al
.,Ia ft, he 4.
position of seeming to stand up for the
Germans and that denunciation OF this
apparent position was a cheap way OF
winning applause.
"Im not a pro-German apologlst" :"
he declared. II have always said, and say
now that the German Government lust
pay to the utmost limit of it's capacity
for the damage IL has done. But like
lawyers we must consider the case and
decide unanimously upon what meas
ures must he taken In order TO secure
payment. When Great Britain advised
against rushing Germany into bank
ruptcy she did not have the interest %
Germany in mind. although Germany
always had been Englands best Gus
toner.
The worst thing the Allies could have
done would have been to rush Germany
into the same position as Russia is now
in. where she would be IN greater danger
and where anarchy would be enthroned
among much more efficient people.
The danger of course would be greater
for those whose frontiers are closest.
Despite Misrepresentation at home and
abroad. we are returning to the counsel
OF common sense.
Mr. Lloyd George declared that re-
spc sibillty rests upon the victors. "If
they try to escape IT. he said they
win be condemned by. the voice OF our