LONDON NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 March 1920, Page 1

LONDON NEWS.

MR BALFOUR’S PART.

Last night the conversation turned in a gathering of some of the best infoimed men in London on the old controversy : ‘Who Won the War V A veteran diplomatist who was presented answered very emphatically, “Mr Arthur James Balfour I” And lie was resolute in his opinion that, so far as anyone man could be said to have played a decisive part, that man was the modest, easy-going “A.J.8.” And he gave his reasons. He declared that ihose who really knew were perfectly aware that it was Mr Balfour’s unrivalled influence and incomparable diplomacy that really brought the iJnited States of America into the war at that ciuciol moment. And from the economic point of view, America came in only just in time to save the situation. Months before the armistice was dreamt of Mr Bonar Law publicly stated that, but for America's interposition, the financial position of the Allies in July 1917, would have been “disastrous.” The real importance of Mr Balfour’s mission to the United States was fully realised in Berlin. It was this offic al German recognition of wliat depended on the famous British statesman’s -voyage across the Atlantic at that >;a:e that caused them to concentrate such formidable efforts on preventing i is f - rival. It will be remembered that the vessel in which Mr Balfour made his journey was for many days held up in Glasgow by enemy submarines. According to this view, therefore, which is one of real knowledge and authority the true answer to the question: “Who won the war?” is “Mr A. J. Balfmii, 0.M.” THE TIGER’S FUTURE.

M. Clemenceau’s announcement last week of his definite decision to resign the Premiership in three weeks has be. n keenly discussed. The diplomatic 'Tele in London is now convinced that ihe French Premier will lay down the Presidency of the Council only to take up the Presidency of the Republic in succession to M. Poincaire. It is also He belief here .that the “Tiger” has selected M. Millcrand, the pros nit Commissijonlelr-General for Alsace-Loi - ranee, as the new Premier. This means of course, a continuity of Clemeneenu policy in French politics. AN ADMISSION FROM A MERIC V. I hoard various theories propounded from time to time on the question whether America or this country v as really the land of hustle. Most of (be witnesses were palpably and hopelessly prejudiced. But an American business man, who has been over here for some time on business intent, gave me his views to-day. He frankly confesses Hint he finds more real “go” on this ride than on his owri in business matters, ©ut, strangely enough he 'liscrimin ites very carefully between different parts of this country. lie sa.ys that there is not much to choose between London and New York, though he is very favorably impressed—being an admirer of “hustle” —by our younger business men who have returned to the city, niter army experience. But he declared that London was slow compared with some of the great provincial cities he had visited. And the place that he aceo ded the palm for real “hustle” to was Glasgow. And he added, too, that there was “no pussyfoot nonsense’ about Glasgow ! Which seemed to show lie really knew what he was talking

AN INSURANCE BOOM. r hear there is a great pressure of business now being done with most ot the big insurance companies in the way , of re-insurance. And the explanation is rather interesting. Insurance made immense headway in this country during the two decades before the war. But the war has most cruelly prejudiced the position of large numbers of insured persons. They have been paying their premiums over a number of years for certain insured amounts to come cither at death or at a given date. These premiums were paid during a time when the sovereign was a sure enough sovereign. But now that money has slumped ""and the sovereign in actual purchasing value is little better than half value, they arc in the position of having paid hi full for what promises to be really only about half the expected sum. Hence the anxiety of large numbers of provident persons to bring their expectations under insurance up to their original hope

bv rc-insurance. THE PRINCESS AND THE PARROT Sonic little time ago Princess Alary visited tlic cnirons of the city to open a working girls’ club. The usual newspaper accounts of the proceedings appeared at tlic time, and were rather null. The real drama ot the occasion has never been told— except in whispers in tlie bar parlor of a certain historic hostel.y. This famous hostelry boasts a remarkable parrot. Just an ordinary unutterably blase-looking South African grey parrot with a fine red cockade. But Ins language is amazing. Even colon,a sergeants-major have sat at the feet of this linguistic Gamaliel. The hostelry in which the parrot dwells is oppos e the club that our charming young Princess opened. On leaving the club she glanced at the old tavern with interest Even American tourists know all about that tavern. And her curiosity was at onco aroused by the parrot who watching the proceedings outside. unusual interest. The Princess insisted on being shown the parrot. In vain the horrified proprietor wriggled, She would speak to the pretty had. So it had to be. The parrot behaved like, a gentleman. But the proprietor lived 10 years during that hriel ordeal. You have merely to say “Hod, <lor kaiser , to that intelligent bird, and the parrot s retort is absolutely unprintable.