Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1921. MR, LLOYD GEORGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2281, 26 May 1921, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, MAY 26, 1921. MR, LLOYD GEORGE.

A PORTRAIT of Mr Lloyd George forms one of the striking’ features of the narrative of the , Versailles Peaee Coafereuee by Mr Robert Lansing, who was Secretary of State in the Wilson Administration. Nobody, he writes, could come into intimate association with Air Lloyd George without falling under the spell of his personal charm. One might dislike his methods as those of a politician: one might even feel a measure of contemptuous surprise that he dared to dismiss a question of territory without knowing exactly where the territory was; and there might he a feeling of irritation that he changed his mind whenever it seemed to him expedient; but with it all one liked the man; it was simply impossible not to like him. His cheeriness, Jiis vivacity, his never-failing good nature, and his delightful humour were assets which counted greatly in his favour. Air Lansing continues: —Air Lloyd George possessed a wonderfully alert mind which fairly bubbled Over with restless energy. He made decisions rapidly and with little regard for details or fundamental principles. If he fell into error through incomplete knowledge or wrong deductions, he picked himself up with a laugh or a witticism and went ahead n> if nothing had happened. In debate he was vigorous, and often impetuous. If ii were shown that his argument was based on i'iilse premises. he unblushiiig’iy changed his premises, but not his argument. The audacity with which he ignored logic was a subject of frequent comment. Ue. in my opinion, had the quickest mind of the Big Four, but it seemed to lack stability. He gave the impression of a man who, through force of circumstances, had been compelled to jump at conclusions instead.of reaching them through the surer but slower processes of reason. Vivacious, good-tempered, and possessing a strong sense of humour, Mr

loyd George was socially an atractive person, while in debate bis levorness in finding the weak spots l an opponent's armour, and his tier indifference to hist own errors, lade him a dangerous antagonist, to attacked with vigour, and.he deended by attacking. But this- unsual man possessed none of the rts of diplomacy. He was not by aturo a negotiator. His successes t- Paris, and they were not a few, wre largely due to the excellent idviee which was given him, and vhieh lie wisely received.