The New York herald., 1922-03-08
BALFOUR'S PLEA FOR
LIFE OF COALITION
Calls Premier zone Of the
Greatest Figures of Worlds
History
NO HINT OF SOLUTION
Unionist Spokesman Does Not
Even Refer to die Hard
Insurrectionists.
10 HINT OF SOLUTION

Lo&poN, March ASSOCIATED Press).
He is one Of the greatest figures OF
the worlds history, what is the use
of abusing him." said Sir Arthur j.
Balfour, aluding to the Prime Minister,
David Lloyd George. IN a speech at the
Carlton Club to-day. This speech, which
was expected to give some clarity TO
the situation, threw no new light on
the crisis, however, and Sir Arthur. like
his Unionist colleagues, Austen Cham
berlain and Sir Laming Worthington-
Evans. far from reproducing Sir George
Younger who was the real provo;ser OF
the crisis did not even meation his
name.
Balfour made powerful plea for
continuance of the Coalition system as
opposed to a return to the two party
system, which, he declared. was only
fair weather system, totally unsuitel
to the present abnormal times when the
nation was still laboriug under the after
math of the war
Never. he said, was there a time when
the cooperation Of the Unionists and
Liberals was more desirable than now,
and, declaring that he had spent many
years politically fighting Mr. Lloyd
George and therefore ought to know
something about him, Balfour paid a
more glowing tribute to Lloyd George
than had ever been heard from the
Prime Minister'S most enthusiastic ad-
mirers.
Leaves Situation Unchanged.
The whole Importance Of the speech
lies in the influence it is calculated 1t
will have on the rank and file of the
Conservative party as coming from the
oIl nd fa1 laa nf a
party. The extent of this influence cam
not Immediately be calculated.
Throughout his political career. in
Guiding the period of his Premiership, it
was always made a reproach against
Balfour by the extremists that he was
disinclined to take q strong line on any
given policy. 1t is therefore open to
surnise that his plea in behalf of the
Coalition will have but little effect upon
the supporters of Younger.
No announcement was made in the
speech OF the Premier's future plans,
and in this way the speech leaves the
situation unchanged.
While the crisis has subsided. the
problem has not been solved. The Prime
Minister has acceded to strong repre-
sentations. and will remain to sec
through the Governments Irish and
Genoa policies. His health was so far
improved to-day that he hopes to pre-
side over the Cabinet council at noon
tomorrow, and will start Thursday
morning for Wales.
The general view is that the crisis
will not recur until autumn, when Par
lament will be dissolved. But the ac-
tivities of the dissentient Unionists
have by no means ceased. as seen by
their determined attacks on the Free
A Conservative Manifesto.
State bill In Parliament yesterday.
Sixteen of their leaders, eight in each
house. to-day issued a stirring mani
festo to their followers in a sound con-
servative policy. including efficiency Of
the second chamber so gravely impaired
of late years." which is claim for
restoration of the Lords veto. and de-
claring that 'the ambiguous language
and inconsistent action Of the past must
In the future be scrupulously avoided"
This. while not mentioning the coal
ition administration, is a clear condem-
nation of what the "de-hards" consider
the defect in the coalition policy
The Government is receiving ample
tokens of support from the rank and
file, and members outside the die
hardsr group. Two meetings were held
to-Cay, one composed OF conservatives
alone, the other of both Liberals and
Conservatives. Both adopted resolutions
to give full support to the coalition. but
no general meeting of the whole union
ist party has been called, undoubtedly
because ii is feared it would show SER
ious differences of opinion.
The London correspondent OF the
(Yorkshre) Euening Neacs. says to-day
that the Unionist coalition members
OF Parliament are preparing a round
robin for Mr.. Lloyd George. assuring
him OF their continued support
The Westminster Gdsettc's poitica;
correspondent draws a picture of the
pressure which it says was exerted on
the Premier at Sunday nights dinner
to prevent his, retirement and keep him
within the coalition fold. This news
paper further says that six Unionist
colleagues united in efforts TO bind him
safely Ii. the Drison house OF coalition.
When the prison gate were closed the
Prime Minister went home and to bed
exhausted. and n the truth be known.
a thoroughly beaten man. for he lacked
at the last momen courage to stake all
upon his freedom. He returned to his
iailors' keeping. striving to put the
best complexion to 1t all, but at heart
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