18 MARCH 1922, Page 1

The consideration of the question of when and how to

resign with which we have dealt naturally suggests the problem of Mr. Lloyd George's resignation, which still, to use Burke's Hibernian blunder, "hangs like a threatening meteor on the horizon." It has become evident that Mr. Lloyd George, when he talked about resignation, was not in earnest. Ile meant to threaten, not to resign. Apparently he expected that the Unionists would come to heel and throw over Sir George Younger. When they did not do so, but merely said vague and general things about their leader, the Prime Minister was placed in a very awkward position. The right thing and the bold thing would have been really to resign, and at once. Instead, Mr. Lloyd George hesitated, has been hesitating for a fortnight, and now an inspired Press talks about another two weeks of disintegrating dubitation ! That has meant a rapid loss of power by Mr. Lloyd George.