Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-06
PREMIER LLOYD GEORGE
WINS SWEEPING VICTORY
WeIshnan Is Given Vote of
Confidence by House of
Commons - Enemies to
Continue Active

/ LONDON, April ABBY the Asso-
ciated Press. 1.-THE overwhelming
victory of Prime Minister Lloyd
George in the house of commons yes
terday, when he was given the conf
dence of the house by a vote of 372
to "a, has had the effect of d quick,
violent thunderstorm in clearing the
political atmosphere.
Apparently nettled by limitations
! that he was lodging a direct vote of
confidence in presenting his resolu-
| ton calling for support of the gov
ernmont's policy toward the Genoa
conference, the premier threw down
the gauntlet early in the debate and
declared the cabinet would stand or
fallon the result of the division. The
result left no doubt as to the
strength of the government.
The opposition centered its at
| tack behind the laborite amend
ment, which would have, declared
| lack of confidence in the govern
ment. When that went down in an
! avalanche of mays" the issue was
as good as decided, and the subse-
quent debate was almost perfume
| tory.
The fight against the coalition,
however, has not been abandoned
and Sir William Johnson-Hicks,
Unionist, plans to put forward in
the house tomorrow a motion to the
effect that: "In the opinion of this
| house, lack of confidence in the
| policy of the present coalition gov
eminent can only be remedied by
the establishment of a ministry COM
posed of men united by identity or
of political principles.
Meets the Issue
In a stirring speech before a
| crowded house, the British prime
minister put his leadership to the
test. He defended the coalition gov
ernment's foreign policy and asked
the approval of parliament of the
Genoa economic conference.
| Lloyd George met squarely thu
crisis confronting his government.
He was faced, from the opposition
benches, by leaders of three indie
pendent groups of political enemies.
each ready with an amendment to
| his resolutions:
Resolved, That this house ap-
prove the resolutions passed by the
supreme council at Cannes as n
basis for the Genoa conference, and
will support his majesty's govern
| ment in endeavoriilg to eXect them"
| The prime minister stood ready to
resign if an amendment were passed.
'"The Genoa conference was called
| to consider the reconstruction of
economic Europe" Lloyd George
| declared, opening his speech in
the afternoon, land to examine the
best method OF restoring prosperity
out of desolation.''
He thereupon moved his .resolu-
ton, asking parliament's confidence
in the proposed policies.
Premier's Speechs
The prime minister then went on
to elaborate on the principles under
| lying the proposed conference.
II do not believe the Genoa con.
ference should consider revision of
existing treaties" he declared, in.
| dicating his accord with the French
viewpoint, that the Versailles treaty
must not be abandoned in favor of
new agreements.
1t was on this point, Premier
Lloyd Georges new-found accord
with France, that the independent
liberals were prepared to attack the
premier's resolution.
| "Europes troubles is not due to
our having demanded reparations,' -
Lloyd George said, "but because
there is something to repair"
This typical Lloyd George twist,
delivered in his best style, brought
a burst of appreciative applause
from the house.
Alteration of existing treaties
would not wipe out the need for rep
arations, the premier declared, but
would merely transfer the burden of
payment from Germany's shoulders
| to those of France.
One of the first things that would
be undertaken at Genoa, Lloyd
George said, was restoration of for
eign exchange. In order that this
! might be done, it was most neces-
sary that each nation balance its
budgets.
The question of peace with Rus.
sian, Lloyd George said, was a most
important one.
Germany cannot pay her repara'
ton debts until Russia has been re-
| oloISu, lHe pIllIlS 1IlllllSIeI USCldr6O
emphatically.
1--WE must establish complete peace
throughout all Europe" Lloyd
George stated, with a view to deal
ing with serious problems of trade
and unemployment.
"The real basis for peace would
be if Russia were willing to accept
the allies conditions.
''Russia's large armies are an ex
cuse for other countries maintaining
armies
Soviet Recognition
The prime minister then reached
the most important point in his adj
dress, the question of recognition OF
the Soviet government by the allies
The house hung on every word, fo1
it was we'll known that Lloyd George
had carefully gone over this portion
Of his speech with his colleagues in
the cabinet just before coming tC
commons. 1t was over this question
that Winston Churchill split with
his chief, although a reconciliation
was effected later
The conservatives in common
were prepared to resist any sugges
ton of unqualified de jure recog
milton of the Kremlin.
Lloyd George insisted that Rus