Hokitika Guardian & Evening star THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd, 1917. THE ONLY DANGER.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 November 1917, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening star THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22nd, 1917. THE ONLY DANGER.

I'iiii cable .nows yesterday indicated tliat the British Prime Minister Mr. Lloyd George, iiad got through the orient following his Paris speech with triumphant success. It i s difficult, to believe that his position stood i n peril because of that speech, yet so.it was. And that it was so is a very disquieting fact, reminding u s that all things are possible in tliis great- war, and that even Great Britain is not free to escape from great and unexpected happenings. Air. Lloyd George admits the candour of his Paris speech, and it is to he hoped ho will continue in the candid vein. The people like the truth They want to know exactly what they have to face. With the knowledge of the facts they can pass through the ordeal more cheerfully and with hope* of quicker success. In the House of Commons Mr. Asquith took up the parable of those in opposition to Mr. Lloyd George. He began to blame but really ended by praising. He was not filling a congenial part, of that we are persuaded, for his rhetoric was not of the free flowing, graphic kind for which he is justly famous. Up till now AIT. Asquith was regarded as one of the British statesmen who was “coming back” in public opinion. His association with the toils put about Mr. Lloyd George will hardly help ,in a favouring direction with the masse s of the people. Still, he spoke with studied reserve not as a free spoken critic, but as one treading o tl a delicate situation fearful of reaching some danger point. Ill's moderation helped him to reach a hnyen of safety, and Mr Lloyd George’s reply was directed not at any charge which Mr. Asquith’ probing might hav<> indicated, but to a nation-wide audience telling them the why and wherefore and the great occasion there was to find a way of escape from the national or really international, danger threatening the Allies. As lie progressed he developed boldness, and stood bv tlie rigor and openness of his Paris utterances against all possible opposition. That speech was delivered designedly, as were other great addresses in his wonderful political career. One recalls the vigor and nakedness of hi s famous Limehouse speech of other days, a speech ivhich almost ostracised him frfom Parliament. Of his great speeches on the National Provident Scheme which he perfected against the whole financial strength of vested interests. Looking to these great, efforts, and to his supremo, efforts in and about this war, one must recognise the man’s true character and his desire to do nought hut what is for the best. Hi s record as a Minister of the Crown during the long days of the war. is a record of untiring work and -personal sacrifice for his country’s welfare. Knowing that- his achievements have been so vast and to such material service in spoiling an enemy victory, the nation will trust him to the fullest now when he points out a way in his opinion to escape the real danger of the war, the danger which can be triumphed over by

unified military control among the Allies.'