THE MINISTER'S REPLY

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 96, 24 April 1916, Page 7

THE MINISTER'S REPLY

"WILL DO MY DUTY TO THE NATION '

(Received April 24, 10 a.m.)

LONDON, 23rd April. . Mr. Lloyd George, who is spending the week-end at Criccieth, has sent the following response to an enquiry by Reynolds's Newspaper: "I shall continue to do what I conceive to be my duty to the nation in the hour of its sore trial, heedless of all personal attacks and personal ensequences." Reynolds's Newspaper says:— "The Minister of Munitions in his heart believes that unless we mobilise every ounce of our strength we will be beaten, or at best will only achieve an unsatisfactory peace. Considering the fact that the whole Cabinet has agreed with him in'his policy, is it just that, lie should be subjected to continual attacks? He is doing his best to carry out his views. We believe he is guided solely by a determination to do his level best to secure victory for the Empire. The innuendo that he is so disloyal to his friend and chief as to press his views upon the Cabinet mainly for the purpose of embarrassing the Premier is wicked and totally unjustified. Mr. Asquith1 would be the last to give it countenance, knowing it to be absolutely without foundation. If the attacks persist, and if Mr. Lloyd George, after the Cabinet's present decision is placed' on the Statute Book, should prefer less responsibility and greater freedom, the country will for the first time learn some vital facts which will largely explain the Government's terrible blunders in tho war arid the real obstacles to a strong initiative and prompt decision."