Lord Northcliffe left two wills. One is of March 22nd,
1919, by which Lady Northcliffe is given a very large annuity, and there are many bequests to old friends, colleagues and employees. Under this will Sir George Sutton, chairman of the Amalgamated Press, and Mr. Henry Preuss Arnholz, a well-known solicitor and an old friend of Lord Northcliffe, are the executors and trustees of the will. It is, therefore, to be presumed that should this will stand they would hold the controlling interest in the Times. The second will was drawn up on July 22nd, 1922, shortly before Lord Northeliffe's death, by Mr. Graham, of Messrs. Nicholson, Graham and Co., and is said to have been witnessed by one of the doctors in attendance. By this will Lady Northcliffe is named as sole beneficiary and executrix, and hence, if this is pronounced valid, she would control the Times. Both wills have been presented for probate, as the executors under the first will contend that Lord Northcliffe was not of sound mind when he signed the second.
Previous page
