Sm A. J. BALFOUR, K.G.

Shannon News, 7 March 1922, Page 4

Sm A. J. BALFOUR, K.G.

HONOURED BY THE KING

London, March 3

The King gave an audience to Mr A. J. Balfour and invested him with the insignia of a Knight of the Garter.

Sir A. J. Balfour first entered Parliament at the age of 26, and his age now is 73. He has always been a leading light on the Conservative side of politics, and established his reputation as Chief Secretary for Ireland (1887-91). He assumed the leadership of the Unionist Party in the House oi Commons in .1892, and succeeded his uncle, Lord Salisbury, as Prime Minister in 1902, his term of office lasting for three years. On the formation in May, 1914, of a Coalition Government, he joined the Cabinet as- First Lord of the Admiralty, and on the formation of the new Ministry in 1916 lie succeeded Lord Grey as Foreign Secretary, holding office till 19#, in which year he became Lord President ol the Council. One of his most notable missions was as British delegate to the Washington Conference. He is already a member of the Privy Council and of the Order of Merit, the most exclusive British honour, outside ol the Garter. Onfe writer describes Sir A. J. Balfour as follows: “A finished scholar, a 'brilliant debater, and aanetaphysician; a man of letters who became a politician less from ambition than force of circumstances.”