MISCONSTRUED

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 35, 10 August 1921, Page 5

MISCONSTRUED

A PRIVATE CONVERSATION

LLOYD GEORGE AND THE WASHINGTON CONFERENCE

(UNIIII FM3S ASSOCIATION.—COFTM4IT.) (AUSTRALIAN ■ M» ZEALAND JAllt ASSOCIATION.) (Received August 10, 11 a.m.) LONDON, 9fch. August. The report that Mr. Lloyd George was not going to Washington seems to have emanated from a conversation between Mn Lloyd Ge*orge and M. Briand. The latter asked if Mr. Lloyd George intended to go, and Mr. Lloyd George replied that he had not yet been officially invited, and did not know whether the conference was for Premiers, Foreign Secretaries, or appointed delegates. Mr. Lloyd George added that be was not sure if he would- be, able to go. The conversation was unofficial and private. Apparently something leaked out, and was su]»(?equently* garbled or misconstrued^ . (AUSTRALIAN - NIW ZEAIAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON. 9th August. The Daily Chronicle's correspondent at Paris says: "Mr. Lloyd George has not informed journalists that.he is not'going to Washington. lam informed that Mr. Lloyd George intends to accept President Harding's invitation to visit Washington as the official British representative." (RBUTER'S TELEGRAM.) ■ PARIS, Bth August. Reuters Agency is authorised to state that neither the delegation nor the Embassy has made any statement regarding Mr. Lloyd George's intentions in the' matter of going to America. Moreover, Mr. Lloyd George has received no American journalists. (PDBU3BRD IN THE TIMES.)' LONDON, Bth August. Mr. Lloyd George's announcement in Paris that he would not attend the Washington Conference surprised' London Government" circles, which attribute the decision to the enormous accumulation of work requiring his personal .attention during the autumn. It is further suggested that the> anticipated developments in the Irish situation caused the Premier to change his mind. Some people are inclined to associate the change of plan with the possibility of a general election in the autumn. (Received August 10, 10.30 a.m.) LONDON, 9th August. "Mr. Austen Chamberlain, replying to a question in the House of Commons, said that the American Government had not officially proposed a definite date for the Washington Conference. !