LLOYD GEORGE IN AMERICA

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 11, 8 October 1923, Page 7

LLOYD GEORGE IN AMERICA

CORDIAL WELCOME TO NEV/ YORK IRISH REPUBLICANS’ DEMONSTRATION ' By Telegraph.— Press Association. Copyright. New York, October 5. Mr. Lloyd George arrived to-day, and for the first time set foot on American soil. In an interview he said: “The unhappiness and difficulties resulting from tlie war have been caused by the improper or ineffective operation of the provisions of the Treaty of Versailles.” He is on his way to Canada. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. October 7 5.5 p.m.) New York, October 6. The police broke up a parade of women carrying banners denouncing Great Britain outside the City Hall, New York, where a crowd of thousands gathered to greet Mr. Lloyd George. Some of the banners read: “Don’t let England pull the wool over your eyes” and “British bootleggers are flooding America with British booze.” The police grabbed the banners and tore them into shreds. _ No arrests were made. Huge crowds lined Broadway and cheered Mr. , Lloyd George on his way to tho City Hall, where the Acting Mayor, Mr. Hulbert, welcomed him. Responding, Mr. Lloyd George his Irin had no official status. It was the reward for years of hard struggle for the cause of the people. Referring to America as a nation of boasters, he declared: “You are right in being boasters. I wish we had boasters in England.” 1 While en route to his hotel Mr. Lloyd George was subjected to the jeering of Irish Republicans, but this was completely drowned in the cheering of the crowds.

He attended a luncheon in his honour at noon. At the luncheon Mr. Lloyd George claimed that “the real founder of the British Empire was George Washington. He taught us to become democratic. That lesson, taught us in the eighteenth century, has been the salvation of the British Empire.” He said Washington had taught the British Governments to be more lenient, and he cited as proof of this the case of Canada. Mr. Lloyd George, after a private dinner, attended a revue. He was several times cheered by Broadway crowds en route, and rotten eggs were thrown at the entrance to tho theatre. The eggs missed Mr. Lloyd George, but struck bystanders. The audience applauded Mr. Lloyd George’s entrance, and gave, him during an intermission an ovation, which tho exPremier acknowledged with bows, and explained to companions that speechmaking would compete with Gio actors. During the performance 40 taxj-cabs loaded with Irish Republicans, mostly women, reached the theatre, shrieked, at the police and threw pamphlets addressed to fellow Americans and! asking, “Who is Lloyd George,” at the same time furnishing the answer, “Piratical propagandist.” The police dispersed tho crowds before Mr Lloyd George departed for his hotel. During the melee a number of automobiles paraded past the outskirts of tho orowd circulating statements against Mr. Lloyd George. A woman struck a policeman on the head with a banner and was arrested. Tho woman said the demonstrators were of the Association for the Precognition of the'. Irish Renublic. Some banners bore legends “Llovd George’s Black and Tans are Here” and “Lloyd George s Hands arc Red with the Blood of Women and! Children.” Additional police reserves had to be called out. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. IF ALLIED ARMY HAD BEEN DEFEATED ? AMERICA THANKED FOR HELP (Rec. October 7. 11.5 p.m.) New York, October 6. Addressing American newspaper editors, Mr. Lloyd George emphasised the value of American and British friendship as a influence on world ■stability. Referring to Europe, Mr. Lloyd George depicted the vast destruction and misery there, adding, “hut what would it have been if the Allied army had been defeated? Europe will recover but if Europe had become the prey of great military despotism, three generations would not have seen the end of it. That is what you saved us from, and I am here to say thank you. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DEPARTURE FOR MONTREAL SPONTANEOUS DISPLAY OF FRIENDSHIP (Rec. October 7, 6.5 p.m.) New York, October 6. Mr Lloyd George has left for Montreal to tour Canada. To no man, unless perhaps to General Pershing when he returned from France, has a more cordial welcome been given or a more spontaneous display of friendship thai. to Britain’s ex-Premier during Ins less than twenty-four hours’ stay.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. _ THE IRISH SETTLEMENT GOVERNOR GLYNN’S PART (Rec. October 7, 11.5 p.m.) New York, October 6. At Albany Mr. Lloyd George, en route to Montreal, addressing the welcoming crowd!, told of the part which the former Governor Glynn of New York State played in the settlement of the Irish question. He said, ‘ Mr. Glynn and I. in the office of the Prime Minister, had the most unusual conferences. Ho told me frankly how the Irish people viewed the feud of centuries and wliat thev desired in the way of liberty, and how American people felt on the subject, ami I told I'ol equally frankly what I believed to be the purpose of Great Britain. At. the end of tho interviews he took my views to the Irish leaders, and he brought their hopes and aspirations clarified to me. Out of this exchange sprung the new Ireland and tho Irish Free State. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.