THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2300, 9 July 1921, Page 1

THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER

In his book “The Peace Negotiations,” Mr Robert Lansing, ex-Sec-retary of State in the United Slates, draws a picture of Mr Lloyd George that is not particularly flattering. As a politician, Mr Lansing finds Mr Lloyd George shifty and inconsistent, preferring expediency to principle, selfish and material in his national aims, and mischievously addicted to the vice of secrecy. Practically the only redeeming features tliaf he sees in him are his cleverness and his social attractiveness and personal magnetism. Prom first to last these are the main characteristics on which he constantly dwells. In Mr Lloyd George, who in my judgment was third in prominence and influence among the Big Four (lie says), one finds a very different type'of man from either of the two who have been considered. While M. Clemenceau and Mr Wilson entered upon the negotiations with general objects to be attained, the one national and material, the other international ami ideal, Mr Lloyd George, if he lin'd a prepared programme, which 1 assume, he had, from my acquaintance with his learned and able advisers, did not follow it persistently. There is one, note of admiration. Mr Lloyd George, says the author, is absolutely fearless. Nothing daunted him. No antagonist was too strongly entrenched to discourage him. His quick wit, his ready longue and his self-confidence made him what, lie was, a great Parliamentary leader. He succeeded more by reason of his dynamic, personality and by fcarCisly defying his enemies than by he superiority of his learning or (he strength of his position. . In fact, vithout the constant aid of Mr Bal- ' ’our, Lord Milner, Sir Eyre Crowe, ind his other advisers, Mr Lansing ‘fears” that Mr Lloyd George would lave been “decidedly outclassed.” *