The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1924-02-02
NO BRA|NS,' SAYS
LLOYD GEORGE OF
TORY GOVERNMENT
Former Premier Declares
Baldwin Regime Was
Good, Not Clever,
BY DAVID LLOYD GEORGE,
o. NJ, NJ. P.

<(Former British Prime Minister)
Copyright, 1924, by United Feature syndi-
cate, Inc.
LONDON, Feb. 2-By Cable).-
THE gilt-edged list is higher"
There was again a cheerful tendency
in the stock markets"
"The markets, in places, were dis
tinctly buoyant in the stock exchange.
Notwithstanding the continuance of
the strike, home rails moved up sub
stantially and gilt-edged securities
were brighter in the market than for
some time past. Some Of the home
industrials too were strong. The cheer
fulness of the markets was mainly
attributed to the composition of the
new Cabinet having been favorably
received and to there being more
confident feeling as to the general
outlook"
These are quotations from leading
financial articles in two of the most
nerve shaken, anti-Socialist papers,
the day after the resignation of the
conservative government and the ad-
vent to power of the socialist ad-
ministration. Fifteen months ago. the
rev cons rvative regime was in
augurated. with promises of a high
road to good times paved with tran
quillity, security and other good in
tentions.
Nation sFeels Relief
On the other hand, less than twelve
months ago. the Socialist leaders
pledged themselves to the final over.
throw Of property and private enter
prise. And yet. when the tran
luillizers QUIT office and the power
passes into the hands Of the destroy
ers, gilt-edged securities are buoyant,
How can you account for this ex
traordinary behavior on the part OF
such highly respectable investments7
If at the next Presidential election,
not only were President Coolidge de.
feated but, owing to the chances of a
triangular contest. Eugene V. Debs
were elected az his successor. would
American ecurities have so demeaned
themselves?
The first explanation is to be found
In the relief felt by the nation at be
ing rid of the most incompetent ad-
ministration that ever handled its af.
fairs. 1t is significant thac. on the
day which saw the announcement of
the dismissal Of the Tory government
by the House of Commons, no con
sentative journal regretted Il on the
ground IF service rendered TO the
country by the defunct adminiatra-
ton. or by reason Of the loss which
would be sustained by ,the country
in being deprived OF the nightmare
THANK God We're Good"
There is another reason for the re-
covery of the stock market. When
the composition Of the new ministry
was announced it was generally rec
ognized that they were, man for man.
much ADLER than their predecessors.
In capacity, in the variety Of expert
ence that matters in the government
OF a democratic country. in all-round
knowledge Of affairs and in achieve
ment, they are superior beyond ques-
ton.
The departed administration Is &C
knowiedged to be the weakest in brain
y
100 years. It's apologists almost boast.
ed Of its deficiency in this respect. The
qualities of It's ministers we're sup.
posed to be moral rather than intel.
lectual That. II was argued, would
impress NJ Poincare and Signor Mus
solini to such an extent that they
would readily accept the point of view
urged by men so conspicuous for their
honesty, purity, sincerity and general
highmindedness They Knocked at the
idea that first-class brains were need
ed to rule a first-class country in ex-
ceptionally difficult times. There was
always an implication that they stood
alone in the possession of those vir-
tues. They came to believe It them
selves. They were always, with sweep
ing gesture, thanking God they were
not like unto those publicans.'' BE
good and let who will be clever" That
was their pose before the world. owe
are not clever. Oh, no; ana thank
God for that!
They certainly were not clever. They
possessed perhaps two men with abil
ity above the average-Lord Curzou
and Lord Cecil. Mr.. Baldwin's ca
pacity is still a very debatable propo
sition. Lord Curzon is that type OF
able man to whom experience never
brings wisdom. In his case. that is
due to morbid and somewhat puerile
vanity, which disturbs his judgment
and makes him and the office he for the
time being occupies the object of ridi-
cule. He possesses another defect IA
tai in a foreign secretary who has to
confront a situation demanding a
stout heart, steady nerve and e. reso-