The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-14
British War Policy Is Upheld
by the Premier.
Saws Turks Knew Great Britain
Meant Business.
BROUGHT PEACE = NOT WAR
Most of Speech Devoted to
Ridicule of Critics.
Gave No IHtimatiOn of Plans in
Coming Election.
fRx The Associated Press.l

Manchester Oct. 14.-Prime Min
lister Lloyd Georges speech to the
liberals of the Manchester Reform
club this afternoon, expected to be a
historic utterance, was a disappoint-
ment because the premier gave no
intimation regarding his plans or his
program. In tnat respect his oraton
was similar to that of Austen Cham
berlain at Birmingham yesterday.
OF his address of one hour and
twenty minutes, Mr.. Lloyd George de-
voted nearly an hour to d defense of
his near eastern policy and to ridicule
of his critics.
In a brilliant peroration recalling
his services to the nation, he said:
Il cast myself on the people because
l have never betrayed them
In beginning his speech at the
luncheon and thus raising the curtain
on a new act in the political drama.
which may mark a climax in the
career of the striking central figure,
Mr. Lloyd George referred to the Near
Eastern crisis, declaring the people OF
this country must not believe that
their government had endeavored to
rush Great Britain into war.
! Not War Mongers.
I'VE have not been war nnongers.
| but peace makers" he said. The
expectancy on the part OF his hear
ers who were looking to him to begin
the fight for his political life. great
| array of newspaper men eagerly seized
upon his words and rushed them off
to the four corners of the globe.
Continuing his defense of The gov
ernment's policy regarcing the near
| east, Mr.. Lloyd George SAID the ne
F, gotiations had been concucted in a
| manner unprecedented in this coun-
had been assailed with misrepresenta-
| tions such as no government had ever
| been subjected to. The country would
resent this. he declared. adding that
| there were queer people" 'let loose"
in the press in these days
| My task has been made much cas-
| fer," declared the premier. "by the
speech which Mr.. Chamberlain with
| clarity and lucfdity, point and force,
! delivered yesterday.
| Our object in the action we took
| was threefold, the freedom of tho
straits, the prevention of the war
spreading into Europe, and the pre-
vention of the repetition in Constan-
| tinople and Thrace of tine unutterable
horrors of Asia Minor.
The war of 1914 practically began
in the Balkans. We had to act prompt l
! ly, resolutely and firmly. Since 1914
the Turks according to official testi-
money have slaughtered in cold blood
Greeks, without any provocation at
ALL"
IT'S no use trying to bluff a first
| rate fighting animal" said Mr.. Lloyd
George, referring TO the Near East.
| Its always a mistake to threaten uu-
less you mean it. The Turks knew We
meant it and that's why we have
lpeace.
II am told we have departed from
the methods of the old diplomacy.
That's very sad. The old diplomacy
| ended in the most disastrous war this
world has ever seen. The amateur
diplomacy of 1922 has at least
brought peace.
Il am sorry to see that the liberals
have been pleading that it was none
OF our business to intervene between
the Turks and their victims. That
was not the old liberal doctrine. 1
maintain the policy we adopted re-
garding Turkey was in accordance
with the highest interest and tradi-
tions of this land and we have reason
to be proud it succeeded"
| At one point Mr.. Lloyd George de-
clared dramatically. with his head
thrown back:
las long as have a sword in my
hand and God gives me strength to
use IL, 1 will do So"
/ Continuing his dealing with the
! near eastern situation the prime min
lister said:
Sir Charles Harrington warned us
that there were from 1900 to 5000
Turks inside Constantinople.
"We received a message from the
French government he said. that II
either the Greeks or the Turks in
vaded the neutral zone they would
have to be resisted by force by the
allies. We accepted that We
thought they meant ft''
| Serve in Amy Capacity.
ovnraa~fuo 5.fo ro.,1
dom, saying that no one would well
come change more tnan he, the
prime minister added: Three years
Il fCortinned or Page Tbreel