interview with Mr. Lloyd George, in which he is reported
to have declared that though he could not assert that an entente with Germany would be arranged to-morrow or the day after, he had a firm conviction that it was the only means of putting an end to the friction which is felt throughout Europe, and in particular to the nervousness which had forced the two States to make great sacrifices for their Navies.
"Why," asked Mr. Lloyd George, "cannot we have an agree- ment with Germany, seeing that Great Britain has already concluded ententes with France, Russia, and the United States ? It cannot be said that there exists any subject of discord between the two nations. An entente with Germany should have for its purpose the diminution of battleship con- struction in the future." If Mr. Lloyd George wants the answer to this question, we suggest that he should ask his colleague, Sir Edward Grey, who happens to be not only one of the sanest and ablest of his Majesty's Ministers, but also the Minister specially charged with the duties which would enable him to answer it. Is it not strange that it has not occurred to the Chancellor of the Exchequer that Sir Edward Grey must be quite as anxious as he can be to find a solution to the question, and also that to put the matter as he has just put it in public must have the effect (though doubtless it was not so intended) to suggest that Sir Edward Grey is either incompetent or not doing his duty ?
Previous page
