New-York tribune., 1922-06-26
'Die-Hards,' Strengthened
by Wilson Tragedy, to
Open Bitter Attack on
Irish Policy i'm Commons
Dramatic Move by
Premier Is Hinied
Facing Fight of His Polii-
ical Life, He Is Sure 10
Ask Vote of Confidence
By Arthur s. Draper

Copyright 1922 Ncw York Tribune Inc.
LONDON. June 25.-Lloyd Georges
government will face a political crisis
when the House Of Commons meets
tomorrow only a few hours after the
body Of Field Marshal Sir Henry Hughes
Wilson IL cntombcd in ST. Pauls Cathe.
dral. The Premicr's position has been
none too secure for several months. but
now his fondest admirers admit the
Cabinets really prccarious situation.
FOR the whole country has been pro.
foundly moved by Wilson's assassina-
ton, ard the "die.hord" Conservatives
who accuse the government OF failure
TO guard the Field Marshal and other
leading men from assassins. are great
ly strengthened.
Tomorrow morning London will be
given over 20 mourning, but IN the
afternoon the struggle will begin which
may cost the political life OF one or all
members OF the government
Edward Short. Home Secretary. will
be tho target OF the governments crit
les. although their real fire vii! be
aimed at Lloyd George and his policy
OF handling the Irish problem.
The Premier he's a body of support
ers who have never deserted him how
ever great the criticism from the other
side Of the House, and the majority Of
that group will almost certainly stand
by him IN this most serious crisis. lie
is expected 10 have parliamentary
majority, and 1t appears certain he will
demand vote Of confidence, for no
government could afford to let such a
challenge 10 90 by default Some po-
litical observers look for a dramatic
move by Lloyd George when he enters
the debate.
Irish Policy Chief Targe,
All sorts OF motives will animate tho
critics OF the government. There are
those who hate his Irish policy, his
negotiations with Michael Collins and
Arthur Griffith. the Free State leaders.
his coneiliatory attitude toward the
south Of Ireland and the withdrawal Of
troops from that section. There are
others who have no sympathy with the
Premier foreign policy, his converse
tions with the Russians. his agree
ments with the French government and
his view OF the methods 10 be taken
regarding Germany. The die hard
group can hardly expect 20 beat the
government in q division, but they be-
lieye they can exert enough pressure
20 make the government alter It's Irish
policy.
Lloyd Georges greatest difficulty will
be 20 satisfy the House and through n
the country that his handling OF the
Irish situation has justified itself
Statements which have been made In
Dublin since the assassination OF Field
Marshal Wilson have not helped 20
make the Premier's task any easier
Chaotic conditions continue IN Ulster,
particularly in Belfast. where reprisal
Follows reprisal There is no question
hut that gunmen in the fight between
Catholics and Protestants are killing
and wounding according to order and
not unfortunately as might be
Judged from reports. To-morrow's de-
bate may bring out the fact that both
sides carry heavy responsibility Tor
crimes now being committed on the
frontier
Collins's Regime Faces Fire
Collinss provisional government will
be attacked tomorrow and these at
tacks will have their reaction In Ire
land. where the republicans are in
desperate position after the recent
election. The government has been
holding Cabinet discussions almost con-
tinualiy since Wilson's assassination
and military leaders have been called
into conference on several occasions
the natural deduction being that some
sort OF military rule will be introduced
into Ulster soon
The assassination Of Ra,hensu Is a
great blow 10 Lloyd George, for the
slain minister was the one German
with whom the British government was
able 10 deal satisfactorily. Reeonsid-
Grafton Of the Allied policy may come
Immediately. a.
Carlo Schanzer, Italian Foreign MIN,
ister, arrived in London to-day and
will meet Lloyd George .o-morro" ior
of European problems =
conference OF the Allied leaders may
be called before the end Of this week
as the German crisis is considered eN-
tremely serious here. but Lloyd George
must make q temporary settlement OF
the Irish difficulties before ne can
tackle any other problem.