Mr. Lloyd George.

Progress, Volume III, Issue 11, 1 September 1908, Page 371

Mr. Lloyd George.

Next to Mr Asquith's the most remarkable figure in a Cabinet of really remarkable men is Mr. Lloyd George. He has quelled strikes of the most obstinate order and done many big things which will ensure his doing many more even greater. In a recent speech he let much daylight into some recent happenings. Speaking of the understandings arrived at with all the European Powers, except Germany, all of which were preceded by visits of King Edward to their respective Sovereigns — Mr. Lloyd George proceeded to take up the parable of naval disarmament, and then he burst out into strong protest against the isolation of Germany. Said he: — "It is deplorable that two great and progressive nations like Britain and Germany should be unable to establish a good understanding. "We have done this with France, Russia, and America. Why should we not rope Germany in? (Cheers.) The money spent on armaments might then be spent in fighting intemperance, ignorance, crime, and disease, which are worse enemies i,han Germany."

These are noble words embodying a noble idea. It is singular that the King was then about to visit his nephew in Berlin, and that the German press took the opportunity to declare that all hope of arranging restriction of armaments was vain. Nevertheless, the Minister deserves credit for the speech he made. Besides letting daylight into a great subject, that speech is an earnest of further attempts, for Mr. Lloyd George and his colleagues are men remarkable for perseverance. It is a matter of course that they will not think of jeopardising the national safety in any way. But that they regard it to be their duty to attempt to improve the lot of mankind by every possible means is a fact which will warm the public opinion of the British Empire towrads them.