Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-24
ENGLAND BACKS
QUIET POLICY
OF B0NAR LAW
Britishers See Comedy
in Former Premier 5
Attempt to Cover Up.
Christmas Spirit Takes
Place Of Diplomatic
Skeletons in London.
BY A. G. GARDINER
Special Dispatch to The Tribune.

BY A. G. GARDINER
Special Dispatch to The Tribune.
Copyright. 1872, By Great Falls Tribuns)
London, Dec. 23.-The indomitable
spirit of Christmas spreads over the
land. London never has been more
cheerful. Never has it seemed appar-
emily more prosperous. The streets
are full Of people. laden with parcels.
The shops are damned. The streets
are o~vercrowded, hotels are full. All
skeletons have been put away for
the season. The Turkish skeleton is
securely buried at Lausanne, doubtless
with the prospect Of an early resurrec-
ton. The Ruhr skeleton has been put
in the cupboard until Christmas is over.
The unemployment skeleton, most sin
lister Of all facing England, is not to
be permitted to cast a shadow over
the feast. The entire nation is de-
iermined to enjoy an old -fashioned
Christmas despite these skeletons in
the various closets. Indeed. We have
got so accustomed to skeletons that
we almost have ceased to have been
afraid of them. They seem to belong
to the very nature of things.
Undoubtedly one cause of the gen
eral cheerful feeling throughout the
country is the recent political explo-
sion. Everybody seems relieved at the
disappearance Of coalition aud the re-
turn to straight, clean politics. The
public. realizing the evils of the late
political dictatorship. r%ejoices in the
restoration of parliamentary govern
ment. Even the liberals agree that
Premier Bonar Law is acting with
moderation and wisdom. He displays
no disposition to repeat the stunt
methods of his predecessor or to make
himself a sort Of a Barnum Snowman.
Public Approves.
Moreover Laws quiet. decent meth
cd of gaining prestige by a succession
of disclosures which is making havoc
of the remnants of Lloyd Georges rep
u~tation, has won the approval of the
country. Almost daily new light is
thrown on the former premier's re-
There is a deepening realization that
this country has been involved up to
its neck in one Of the most deplerable
tragedies of history.
The attempt of Lloyd George and
Birkenhead to throw the blame on
Curzon has ended in gr%otesque tan
giles and apologies. Never was an
engineer so completely hoisted with
his own petard. The public is al
ways more interested in comedy than
tragedy. 1t is rocking with laughter
over the priceless 'pantomime staged
by Lloyd George in connection with
Hearst's press in the United States.
1t is agreed that there is n serious as
pect to the matter. British states
menship never before has been mixed
up in an affair of this sort. But the
comedy aspect commands the chief in
terest. The circumstances in which
Lloyd George first contracted for pub
lication of his memoirs at a fabulous
price and hen after public criticism
waxed warm, announced his intention
of giving the proceeds to charity aft
erward entering into this new under
taking has resulted in his action being
mercilessly criticised by a united
press. The plea of the former prime
minister that he is a poor man and
must earn a Lying has not helped him.
Even poor men, especially former
prime ministers, are expected to OBJ
serve certain traditions. Moreover,
it is being pointed out very plainly
that he is not entitled to call himself
a poor man.
Reasonable Income
Apart from anything else he re-
ceived an annual income Of $4,000
under the Carnegie win. This is not
a great fortune, but enough to keep
the wolf from the door. This Incl
dent has done more than anything else
to complete the amazing discredit I'M
der which the light of the late pre-
mier has been eclipsed. Prospects of
political resurrection are rapidly
reaching FARO. He still apparently
clings to the hope Of restoring his
personal party, but now the loaves and
fishes of office are no longer in his
gift and there is a marked tendency
on the part of his followers to fall
away.
His attacks on French policy are
nnappreciated even by those who de-
plore the attitude assumed by France.
He is not in a position to make them
for he was more responsible than any
body else for giving France the i'm
preston that England would support
her extravagant demands on Germany.
It has been left to his successor TO
disabuse France Of that idea. This is
now being done, with what effect the
next few weeks will indicate.
1t is the impression here that while
military occupation Of the Ruhr will
not be attempted, economic occupation
will. This is the same thing under a
disguise. France cannot work the Ruhr
without bayonets or without the good
will of the German people. 1t cannot
control German customs of forests
without the same conditions. Eng
land will have nothing to do with such
policies. She refuses to treat Ger
many as a bankrupt to be maintained
in Il condition of enthral bankruptcy
Of Europe and the bankruptcy of Eng
land as well. Critical days. are before
lis. If P%oincare pursues his IA
nonnced policy the entente ends.
Who shall say what follows?
Morkana Cona+or