LLOYD GEORGE BY MR. PUNCH.*
WE have dealt elsewhere with Mr. Lloyd George's position, and have noted how a man's political record is apt to come out when once he falls from power. A pleasant, and by no means unjust or prejudiced, reminder of that record is Boyd George by Mr. Punch. The work, as the introduction proves, is not intended to be critical, but the reverse. Indeed, the author, Mr. Algernon Locker, shows his sympathy with the man of whom he writes. Yet, as one turns over the selection of cartoons culled from Pancli,the record proves to be one which, if closely investigated, would take a great deal of explanation. It is full of reminders. Into this, however, we do not want to go just now ; but we will quote an example of Mr. Punch's prescience, shown just two years ago. On March 24th, 1920, under the heading "What's in a Name ? " there was a cartoon of two seamen, Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law, engaged in painting up an old smack named 'Coalition.' The mate, Mr. Bonar Law, asks "While we are doin' lfer up, what about givin' her a new name ? How would 'Fusion' do ? " Captain : "'Fusion' or 'Confusion '—it's all one to me so long as I'm skipper."
An example of what we have said as to Mr. Lloyd George's policy of evasion coming home to roost is sequestered, though unintentionally, in the cartoon of May 5th, entitled "From Triumph to Triumph." Mr. Lloyd George stands with a quan- tity of olive branches in his hand and five doves flying round him, and speaks thus : "I've made peace with Germany, with Austria, with Bulgaria, and now I've made peace with France. So there's only Turkey, Ireland and Lord Northcliffe left." Alas ! Turkey and Ireland are going to prove, we fear, more like hawks than doves.
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