The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-16
British War Policy Is Upheld
by the Premier.
Says Turks Knew Great Britain
Meant Business.
BROUGHT PEACE = NOT WAR
Most of Speech Devoted to
Ridiculc of Critics.
Gave No IntimatiOn of Plans in
Coming Election.
(By The Associated Press)

N1dDCnetleT. OCt. IT.
lister Lloyd GEORGES speech 70 the
liberals of the Manchester Reform
club this afternoon, expected to be
historic utterance, was a disappoint-
ment because the premier gave no
intimation regarding his plans or his
program In that respect his orator
was similar to that of Austen Cham
beriain at Birmingham yesterday.
OF his address of one hour and
twenty minutes, Mr.. Lloyd George de-
voted nearly an hour to a defense OF
his near eastern policy and to ridicule
OF his critics.
In brilliant peroration recalling
his services TO the nation, he said:
Il cast myself on the people because
] have never betrayed them"
In beginning his speech at the
luncheon and thus raising the curtain
on a new 1ct in the political drama,
which may mark a climax in the
career of the strik ing central figure,
Mr.. Lloyd George referred to the Near
Eastern crisis, declaring the people OF
this country must not believe that
Their government had endeavored to
rush Great Britain into war.
Not WAR Mongcrs.
I'VE have not been war mongers.
premier arose amid yense silence OF
expectancy on the part of his hear
ers who were looking to him to begin
the fight for his political life. great
array OF newspaper men eagerly seized
upon his words and rushed them off
to the four corners of the globe.
Continuing his defense of the gov
ernments policy rega rding the near
east, Mr.. Lloyd George said the ne
gotiations had been conducted in a
manner Unprecedented in this coun-
try. The government, he declared,
had been assailed with mfsrepresenta-
Tions such as no government had ever
been subjected to. The country would
resent this. he declared, adding that
there were queer people" "let loose"
in the press in these days.
My task has been made much cas-
icr." declared the premier. "by the
speech which Mr.. Chamberlain with
Clarity and lucidity, point and force,
delivered yesterday.
our object in the action we took
was threefold, the freedom of the
straits, the prevention of the war
spreading into Europe, and the pre-
vention of the repetition in Constan-
tinople and Thrace of the unutterable |
horrors of Asia Minor.
The war of 1914 practically began |
in the Balkans. We had to act prompt |
ly' resolutely and firmly. Since 1914
the Turks according to official testi- |
money nave slaughtered IN cOlQ DlOOQ
1.JOO.0 600 A m e n a n and 500, 900
Greeks, without any provocation at
all"
It's no use trying to bluff first
rate lighting ANIMAL said Mr.. Lloyd
George, referring to the Near East.
It's always a mistake to threaten un-
less you mean II. The Turks knew we
meant it and that's why we have
peace.
Il am told we have departed from
the methods of the old diplomacy.
That's very sad. The old diplomacy
ended in the most disastrous war this
world has ever seen. The amateur
diplomacy of 1922 has at least
brought peace.
Il am sorry to see that the liberals
have been pleading that it was none
of our business TO intervene between
the Turks and their victims. That
was not the old liberal doctrine. 1
maintain the policy we adopted re-
garding Turkey was in accordance
with the highest interest and tradi-
tons OF this land and we have reason
20 be proud il succeeded"
At one point Mr.. Lloyd George de-
clared dramatically. with his head
back:
AS long as have a sword in my
hand and God gives me strength to
use it. will do So"
Continuing his dealing with the
near eastern situation the prime min
lister said;
Sir Charles Harrington warned us
that there were from 1900 to 10000
Turks inside Constantinople.
We received a message from the
French government" he said. that if
either the Greeks or the Turks In
vaded the neutral zone they would
have TO be resisted by force by the
allies. We accepted that. We
thought they meant it."
Serve I'm Amy Capacity.
After expressing his love for free
dom. saying that no une would wei
come a change more than he, the
prime minister added: "Three years
ago. I was anxious to go out and
begged Mr.. Bonar Law to take the Of
flee. He declined. 1 never sought
the position. never wished to re-
tain it, But 1 will serve my country
in any capacity.
IT shall watch many things" he
added. II shall watch to see how we
are to forgive Germany her repara-
tions and yet make France love us
more than ever. 1 shall watch how
we are to pay the United States all we
owe her. and forgive every other
country all they owe US.
TT will be an interesting expert
ment" the premier said, Ito see the