New-York tribune., 1922-05-24
George
To Face Critics
Tom orrow
Premier Disregards Prece.
dent to Hold Back His
Report on Genoa Until
Commons Has Spoken
Vote of Confidence Sure
Irish Complications Now
Become Chief Cause of
Concern to Government
By Arthur s. Draper

Copyright. 1922, New York Tribune Inc
LONDON, May 23.-Indicativc of the
seriousness with which Premier Lloyd
George regards the House of Commons
debate Thursday on the collapse Of his
Genoa conference plans. was his dcci-
sion to-day to adopt the unusual course
/ OF listening to his critics before he
makes report on his activities at the
conference. If he thought that Genoa
was a striking success. he probably
would jump at the opportunity to take
Parliament into his confidence and tell
the whole story from the outset. but
apparently he believes that his critics
may have some dangerous ammunition
to fire at him and he prefers to wait
and see first
The Premier has decided to let Sir
Laming orthlngtonEva Secretary
for War. who was with him at Genoa,
serve as a target until he has studied
the enemy's range. The debate will
open in a crowded house, for many
members are anxious to attack the gov
ernments policy for varied reasons.
Vote of Confidence Assured
/ That Lloyd George will succeed in
obtaining a strong vote of confidence is
admitted by the Opposition. which does
/ not attempt to delude itself into think
ing that it can overthrow him because
OF the failure Of the Genoa gathering.
When the Laborites and Independent
Liberals learned of Lloyd Georges
plan not TO speak in the Genoa debate
until he has heard his critics, they
sent him challenge, insisting that
~ oh I OH
viii not take part in the debate un-
til the Premier has spoken, John R,
Clynes, their chairman, told the Pre-
mler in a communication sent to him
after party meeting this evening.
The message said that Lloyd George
had invited the House of Commons to
ndorse his policy before he went to
Genoa and it was his duty now to re
port on what was done there.
The AsQuithian Liberals. meeting
this evening, decided to follow the
same policy as outlined by the Labor
members.
The effect Of these two decisions
would reduce the debate to a farce,
cize and the Premier having no op-
portunity to speak at all if he stands
on his present ground. Hence the eX
pectation is that Lloyd George may
be forced to revise his plans and fol-
low the usual procedure.
Lloyd George is in a position to-day
not unlike that which he faced five
months ago after the disruption of the
Cannes conference that brought about
Brands resignation as Premier Of
France. The European situation again
is critical and the Primo Minister is
considerably embarrassed.
Irish Situation Annoying
The Developments in Ireland are more
disturbing to him than the Genoa after
math. The government fears that the
peace agreement signed by the Free
Staters and republicans is violation
Of the spirit Of the Anglo Irish treaty,
and Winchell Churchill, Colonial Secre-
tary, wants the leaders of the two fac
tions to come here and talk the situa-
tion over. The belief is widespread
that the peace agreement virtually neu-
tralized the good obtained by the long
negotiations leading UP to the signing
Of the Irish treaty last December.
Some mem bers of Parliament who
are ready to support Lloyd George in
his foreign policies are violently criti-
cal Of the governments course in deal
ing with Ireland. If the roundup of
Sim Fem extremists in the North be
gun to day is first step toward new
Irish policy the government will regain
some friends in the House.
Genoa and Ireland were discussed at
great length at full meeting of the
British Cabinet today, the first since
Lloyd George went to Italy six weeks
ago The possibility is foreseen tha.
f Lloyd George scores parliamentary
success in the Genoa debate and sue
leeds in holding the Free State leaders
TO the terms Of their treaty, he Will be
able to call general election this sum
mer before The Hague Commission on
/ Russian Affairs completes its work