MR LLOYD GEORGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16928, 30 December 1922, Page 9

MR LLOYD GEORGE.

HIS FOURTH ARTICLE. ANNUS MIRABILIS—I922. THE DAWN OF PEACE. The following article and all Mr Lloyd George's subsequent articles j are copyright by the United Press In America, and all countries. They are copyright in Australasia by the Australian Press and the copyright in Britain is the “ Daily Ohroniole.” Reproduction in full or In part is prohibited. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. 1 {Received December 30, 9.55 a.m.) LONDON, December 27. Mr Lloyd George devotes his fourth article to summarising his efforts in 1922 to re-establish peace in Europe. He saj-s : “During the precedin gthree years, with the tarantella still in their blood and the mad war dance still quivering in their limbs they could not rest. There was not a country in Europe or Asia, whose troops were not firing shots in anger at some foe. America rang dow n tiie fire curtain until the hysteri cal frenzy burnt out. Was she right? ft is too early to give an answer. The case has been only partly heard. Many witnesses whose evidence is relevant have not yet entered the witness box, and it will be some time before history’s verdict on her attitude can be deiiveied. A WONDERFUL YEAR. ‘.‘The striking symptoms of recovering saiiitv One distinguished general declared that at one period, f think i 920 thirty was, great and small, were preceeding simultaneously. Who was to blame” Everybody, and nobody. When the Angel of Peace led the nations out from the gates of hell no wonder it took the* nations years to recover their sight and sanity. But 1922 was a vear of restored comjjosure, the outward*"and visible sign of which was seen in the changed character of the international conferences. The ultimatum kink gave way to the genuine police conference. The old method insisted on by Fren ;n statesmen was to hammer out demands on the conference anvil and then send an ultimatum to the nations, who, in spite of peace treaties, were still treated as enemies. The new method was to discuss on equal terms the conditions of appeasement. Germany was not invited to Washington, and Russia -u as excluded for other reasons. but at Cannes Germany was represented. and both Germany and Russia had i-le-gates at Genoa. THE WASHINGTON TREATY. “ In many respects the Washington Conference was the most remarkable ever held. Great nations for the first time met to deliberately discuss the voluntary limitation of their offensive and defensive forces. Restrictions and reductions are often imposed on a beaten foe—of which course the Versailles Treaty is an example—but at !\ ashington the victors negotiated the mutual cutting down of their navies. It is true that France and Italy have not ratified this agreement. That is a disturbing factor, and their attitude, if persisted in, will have the effect of upsetting the balance which it took months of care and thought to adjust. \\ e must, however, continue to hope that wiser counsels will prevail. American statesmanship has given a lead of which it is entities to boast, and 1922 brought this triumph of a good understanding which give it a splendour amongst the years of tho earth’s his jtory.

GREAT THINGS ACCOMPLISHED. “Cannes and Genoa also claim outstanding merit. Nationals who but recently had emerged from deadly con fiict there came together. They eat m council without taunt or recrimination. There was a calm recognition, not only of the needs of the injured countries, but of the difficulties of the offending States. There was a re-

solve to eliminate various elements in the disturbance of the political and economic position that kept Europe in a ferment and made restoration impossible. There were three obstacles I in the way of realising the programme: ) Firstly, France’s stipulation for the exclusion from the Conference’s view of the problems raised by the Versailles Treaty. This was grave limitation. Secondly, America’s refusal to participate. There were probably good reasons for the refusal, but the Recording Angel alone knows them fully and accurately. Thirdly, the fall of M. Bria lid’s Ministry, or the substitution of a loss sympathetic administration. “ Yet, in spite of all these things Genoa accomplished great things. Enemies who had not met for years except on the battlefield conversed round tin? same table, and broke bread and drank wine round the same festive board. Before tlie Conference ended there was an atmosphere of friendship which in itself was a guar - ! anteo of peaceable relations. Thirty | nations entered the pact not to com- I mit- acts of aggression against their DTSPKLLINO ANXIETIES. “ When they entered the Conference oppressed by suspicions that their neighbours meditated violence against their frontiers. Alt were anxious for j peace," but apprelieu ive of impending i war. Genoa dispelled those anxieties. I One of the most promising results of j the Pact is the substantial reduction j in the Bolshevik Army. That removes i a real menace to European peace. j THE WEARY ANGEL. “ Whore does peace stand? The weary angel is *till on her wings, for the waters have not yet subsided. She may perhaps find a footing in the Great West. Britain is fairly safe, not yet Ireland, but the Continent of Europe is still swampy and insecure. Tho recent debates in tho French Chamber on reparations are not on- • couraging. Tne only difference dis- J pin vei l was Ik tween those who advo I • •■•d :<n advance into the Ruhr and j those v ho preferred developing the left j bank oi the Rhine. Occupying, con- | trolling, development, annexing—they 1 all mean the .--une tiling, tearing the j Rhine from Germany and grafting it I into France. There is no peace in \ this talk. It is a sinister note on which < to oul the pacific music of 1922. Wo , must interpret i L in connection with 1 the Russo-German agreement. Since ; then. Tchicherin. who is the spirit ol mischief incarnate, has almost made j Berlin liis abode. Men who are devot- j ing their ingenuity to devising new j torments for Germany are preparing i new terrors for their own and their j neighbours’ children. AN EXPLOSIVE SECURITY. j “ The year ends with rumours oi | great American projects to financially 1 assist. Germany. If such a loan is j likely to materialise the projectors will : be wise in imposing conditions to ; afford a chance ot receiving the pay rnent of moderate interest in tho lifetime of this generation. No prudent bankers will lend money on the security, . of a volcano.” j