New-York tribune., 1922-01-31
Margot Asquitl'
Here, a Diluted
Dry Enthusiast
Prohibition Fine Thing, but
She Favors Light Wines
and Beer, Too, Says Wife
of Britain's Ex-Premicr
Spirit Gay Despite Illness
No Speaker, Just Reader Of
Manuscript, She Asserts,
Outlining Lecture Plans

Mrs. MarEct Asquith, vito OF the
.ormer British Premier. was in bed
at night when the storm tossed and
s.i..ed Cunarder Carnnania came into
n,srantire from Liverpool Hurri-
~. weather which affected most Of
49, vessels travellers did not spare the
lender little Englishwoman, who CON
Used to having been "dreadfully III"
throughout the greater part Of the
voyage.
that Mrs. Asquith was lying down. but
was willing to see paper men. if
they would overlook her inability to
rreet them elsewhere The presence
Of the reporters on board off Quaran
tine was a surprise to her. fsr she
understood that she was not to lano
until this morning and had expected
10 sec 70 one.
Spirits Cnharmed by Illness
Propped up on pillows and covered
with light blanket, the author of the
Autobiography of Margo. Asquth"
agreed to answer any questions.
The questions developed the fact
that tho woman who is world
famous for her audacious tongue
has become a model of discretion.
bright light from reading lamp put
her under sort of spotlight in a
at sea had made no apparent lnroads
on her vivacity. nor had it affected
her smile or the power of her sharp
contrato voice.
The subject Of hey lecture, "People.
Politics and Events" was the first
question to provoke a smile. "What
subjects would she take up under these
general titles she was asked.
II really oon't know she replied
Il am not going to speak. you know.
| shall read from the manuscript Of
rhy. which is yet unpublished
''Ne have tu,o speakers in our family,
NJ Asquith and my daughter, the
Princess Bbesco. There must be one
n the family who is not a speaker I
an That one. 7 have never been a
speaker | shall merely read from my
manuscripts.
A variety Of subjects came up, some
having reference TO Lloyd George, but
whenever the Premiers name was men
toned Mrs. Asouith glanced at the cell
nz ana smilingly remarked, ~ WONDER
ponder.'
The only topic which she herself sug-
gested was that Of prohibitions in
America. Apropos of nothing Mrs
Asquith SAID: II admire prohibitior
II IS tno thing. ! under stand that
IN America nov the workingmen report
tor work on Monday mornings.'
There Uerc few "drys" among the
1tsrrie~ors. and they asked how Mrs
Asquith had observed prohibition as it
working out IN America
No. for Absolute Prohibition
Largely from letters | have re-
ed from f,ends." she replied.
'laey tel no il is a fire thing for thc
country. have not gone into study
Of the subject. OF course if the legs-
.atlon is really a poor mans prohib-
ti"n 1t IS not perhaps faIr,y adminis-
'ercd really think that it should
rot be so draStica,ly enforced favor
permission to uso light wines and
oe"r. Drinking has gone out of fashion
III England. Pcop'e don't care 70 drink
20 eHcess: You soc practically no
.reh-iety ir England to-Gay'
Asled the reason for this modcr.-
ton IN drinking. Mrs. Ayquith said she
thousht 1t was purely matter of
health.
The people of England realize that
hey feel better and that their health
Is better If they abstain from alcoholic
liquors she said. "Sobriety at home
applies 70 the rich as vel! as to the
poor. have observed this PARTICULARS
at Melton Mowbr ray, where have hunted
.or twenty years. If one should ask
ior alcoholic drink there now the
ould have to ransack the cellars TO
ind it,
Some ore vcntured TO ask if the visi-
tor believed Premier Lloyd George mad
lost any Of his popularity. and the
qles.ion promptly brought out the eN-
clsmston: 81 wonder! wonder."
She expressed the opinion that there
you'd be no general election, a, the
vo'servative party and Sir George
,ornrer did not want it, She cx-
panied that neither she nor her hus-
oahd was on the inner circle of poll
..cs and that they were not in a posi-
ION TO Know vha; The political trend
Ign, ne. Protection. she ventured to
say mad done much harm to England.
concerning the Irish peace. Mrs.
asqlith said she felt that it had been
..e'hiteiy settled and that it was about
Nnle II vas settled, as the official re-
Nrsais were terrible. She admires
"chael Collins and Arthur Griffith.
'No'iihs. she said was young and popu-
, sr man who had great followinc
'u' 'riifth was the solid. constructive
.ard.
Mrs. Asquith expressed much delight