"WHISPERING GALLERY".

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 122, 19 November 1926, Page 10

"WHISPERING GALLERY".

EARLY DAYS OF THE WAR SIDELIGHTS ON CONFERENCES? A DIPLOMATIST'S REVELATIONS. (United Press Association.— Copyright) (Received 19th November, 2.45 p.m.) LONDON, 18th November. Amazingly outspoken pen pic : -•-: tares of political heroes of the ° World War are given in a book entitled "Whispering Gallery," by an anonymous diplomatist, re-:-'"' j puted to be a man with a European reputation. , . If accurate regarding a scene at 10, Downing Street, early in 1916, the book goes far to explain the impotence of Britain in the early years of the war. '.- Mr. Asquith, Mr. Lloyd George, and* other Cabinet Ministers are discussing "..% the war, "I am expecting great no^Sj'T-to-night," said Mr. Asquith. :. i. _ '' You always are, but it never 7-""" comes," retorted Mr. Lloyd George."^'"'. There was a faint "hush" from SiTf" ,v,-* Edward Grey. Then Mr. Asquith cmp:^ tinued: "Haig is confident things iV_--'----moving at last;" .'•."."S* '"Probably they are—backwards,?.'"''l' said the irrepressible Welshman. _■*?..* "That's the crouch -before ' Qti*'^ spring," went on. Mr. Asquith. ' "-'"■"*-': "Don't believe it," said Mr. LloyS'^" George. /'People think we are win*o'"---ning because we have Kitchener. .J_tfl_'V':' always Kitchener." .'.^'-"'", There was a pause. Mr. Asquitl|(J':' helped himself to a glass of port. Tl_i_ slowly: "You speak bitterly. Are3;_": you jealous of Kitchener. I think fie.':' is a big man." i ? „."" "Six feet two and a half," caffli'* Ithe ready retort. '-"'"■ :^: Mr. Asquith proceeded to say that^Lord Northcliffe suggested Lord Kit-""' ehener for the. job. - ."•'".-. "Lord Northcliffe now thinks him"a""'1 back number," retorted Mr; Lloyd"" George. - "^ "What's his latest game!" intEri'j^ posed Mr. Churchill. :~':'~< "Ask Mr. Lloyd George," said M_r_ *! Asquith. . • ' '* .'>P"! A general laugh made Mr. Lloyd! "? George jump up and march to the tti *;''■'' place, "If'-'you say that again, As*:* 1 "' quith, I'll lose my temper."