The New York herald., 1922-02-10
Silences Opposition So as to
Prepare for the Eco
nOmic Farley.
TWITs OPPONENTS WAYS
Declares They Use One Tone
Toward Germany, Another
to France.

SpectdI CdbIe TO The NEW YORK HERALD.
Copyright, 1929, bv THE New York HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
London. Feb. o.
Premier Lloyd George hit out right
and left in TIE House of Commons to-
day in support of the. Governments
foreign policy and the rehabilitation
of Europe through economic confer
ence and adjustment. He did not
mention Genoa, but his speech was a
defense of the entire Genoa policy
while at the same time it seemed a
palpable effort to smooth ever the
troubled waters that recently have
been flowing between England and
France. The vote in supper. of the
Governments policy on an amend
ment to the reply to the Kings speech
was 270 to rs.
With the italian Cabinet not yet
formed and with France admitting
openly that she would like tie Genoa
conference postponed, Mr.. Lloyd
George failed into silence the opposi-
ton of critics in order that he might
proceed with negotiations preparatory
to the Genoa conference. He jumped
rather Unexpectedly into the midst of
long series of attacks by the opposi-
ton on the Governments policy. made
in the form of amendments to the re-
ply to the Kings speech at the open
ing of Parliament.
One of the most helpful elements of
this attack was the admission by
Robert H. Clynes, labor leader, that
the labor party would support the
Government In itr Genoa policy.
Labor wants trade revival and not
a general election" he said.
1t was Sir Godfrey Collins who stirred
the Prime Minister to action. He had
critized both the Governments failure to
settle the German reparations policy and
its 'disagreements with France. Mr..
Lloyd George rose to his feet with his
eyes glaring across at the opposition
benches.
"The right honorable gentleman who
has just sat down." he said. suggested
that the real cause of unemployment was
the exaction of German reparations Is
tndl MS pCHcy OF lHt. POiiCy Ol Hls
friends? Is that tha policy of Mr.. AS
quith? Are you prepared to say that the
demand for reparations for the devas-
tated areas of France and Belgium and
for the damage done. this country
should be withdrawn? The opposition
has no right to go about the country
saying our difficulties are attributable en-
tirely to the German reparations unless
it IS prepared also to say that IL 1t
returned to power il would cancel the
claim for reparations. Is that your
policy?"
The Premier paused for reply, but
this was not forthcoming despite re-
peated cries OF "Answer!' from the
Government benches.
"Mr. Asquith and Sir Donald Maclean
committed themselves to the policy of
reducing the reparations." Mr.. Lloyd
George went on, but the honorable men,
bers of the opposition had another leader
What did the treaty say? They said We
were unknd to France and that in the
matter of postponing the reparations we
were pressing France too hard. Which
of these two policies is the right honor
able gentleman (Collins) supporting?
Here is what they call new honest
policy. One leader goes around and says
to Germany, Wen cancel your debts
Il
These fellows are pressing you too
hard The united party at last, Laugh
teri One story for Germany. another
story for France; one story for the ear
of the unemployed. another for the ear
of the taxpayers who are looking for
ward to get something out of the repara-
tions. Which really is the policy? We
are entitled TO know. This is one of the
advantages of speeches made in this
House instead of outside. One can ask
questions and from the absence of re-
plies can see they have not yet made
up their minds which horse to run.
Unemployment Is due to causes which
take a long time to get over. 1t is due
TO the exhaustion of the resources OF
the world and the impoverishment of our
customers throughout the world. IL will
be solved by a thorough examination Gf
the problem and not by telling one story
to one audience and different story
to another"
Col. J. c. wedgewood. in the final
fling OF the opposition, declared that
the policy OF the Government en- repara-
tions was tie same as that of the oppo-
sition because it was calling the Genoa
conference TO. consider the economic ef-
feet of the reparations payments, only
the Government hadn't the moral cour-
age to say so.