New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-05-15
The Case Of Lloyd George

The Case Of Lloyd George
Having brought from the well
once too often a pitcher filled with
the waters Of opportunism, there is
disposition to rejoice over the smash
Lloyd George ruefully contemplates.
1t is temporarily forgotten that in
these days statesman, especially
Of democratic country, is compelled
by circumstances to be opportunist--
that strict consistency is impossible.
Besides over-opportunism, various
special evil designs are imputed to
the British Prime Minister. 1t is
said that he plotted to re-establish
the balance Of power system, with
the Continent of Europe so evenly di-
vided in power that Great Britain
could dominate by intervening on
the side which offered the better
price. Another explanation of his
policy Is that trade jealousy led
him to wish to keep France down
that he knew that Germany would
be so freighted with her reparation
burden that, even though it were
reduced, she would be for a gem
Grafton at disadvantage in compe-
tition; that he favored the Bolshe-
visits because Of belief that their
continued supremacy meant Rus
sia's permanent economic infcriority.
But it is fairer to interpret Lloyd
George more nationally. Perhaps he
had no exact plan--did not know
precisely where he was coming out;
did what he did because Of pres
sures he did not feel at liberty to
resist. In these days a political
leader in democratic country is
forced to consider first the state of
opinion in his own country. Three
powerful elements in Great Britain
have been pro-Bolshevist, at least
so far as concerns recognition and
trade relations. The British labor
party, the Observation-Disclosures lib
erals Of the Keynes Manchester
Guardian" school and financial in
terests in London which are SO keen
for concessions that they don't care
how they get them-all of these
have been actively Fostering Lloyd
George.
AS House of Commons man,
his eye is forever on the next gen
eral election. So he has been prone
to dodge like rabbit this way and
that way, according as he sensed
public opinion. His main objective
has not been to serve an interna-
tlonal cause. but rather to preserve
intact the British democratic par
llamentary system, with himself as
the chief director thereof. He has
been chased very hard-has often
felt the hot breath of his pursuers
ruff1ing his fur. 1t would be cruel
to deny him sympathy.
Despite his amazing gifts. Mr..
Lloyd George as public man has
manifested grave temperamental de-
fects. He is emotional rather than
intellectual, and economics and bust
ness problems are rather firing to
MIN. 1t is doubtful if he understands
IN vivid way what is the matter
with Russia or perceives the unmix-
ability Of her system and that of
Europe generally. He broke a
pledge and foredoomed the Genoa
conference to failure when he coun-
tenanced the discussion there of DO
litlcal questions, but he has little real
understanding Of matters of a non
political kind.
He has, for example, shown nc
interest in the plain fact that Eu-
ropes chief trouble comes from her
fiat money, and that it should be
scrapped according to some ratio OF
plan, even as Secretary Hughes
scrapped the battleships. Nor has
there been a single ringing utter
ance from him proclaiming that un-
I'll Russia has system that permits
the production Of tradable goods it
IS nonsense to talk of general trade
with her. He allowed Tchitcherin
to choose the field of debate. and
Ichltcherin naturally discounted
him.