LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
[Letters of the length of one of our leading paragraphs are often more read, and therefore more effective, than those which fit/ treble the space.]
MR. LLOYD GEORGE AND HIS STEWARDSHIP. (To THE EDITOR Or THE " SPECTATOR.") STIA.—I have been a faithful reader of your excellent Journal getting on for forty years, and have constantly admired the noble
spirit which so often inspires your articles. But the severe criticisms you have thought right to pass on our Premier in a recent issue, and again in that of December 29th, cause me great regret, and friends to whom I have mentioned them have expressed the same. You are so uniformly generous in publishing the other side that I venture to hope that you will think fit to insert this letter.
Recently I heard an incident which bears on the matter. A well- known General who has highly distinguished himself in the war was discussing the European situation in 1913. He gave his opinion that we must shortly be at war with Germany, and added that he had been anxiously considering who would be the best political leader for the nation in that event, and had come to the conclusion that Mr. Lloyd George would be the man. I think he has been justified.
Your space would not admit of my dealing with all your criticisms, but I would reply specially to your blaming the Premier for not having taken drastic measures to restrict the use of grain for manufacture of alcoholic liquors. Long before the war, Mr. Lloyd George gave abundant proof that he had no tenderness for the liquor interests; but greatly to increase existing restrictions he must have the nation behind him, and, sad though it be, it is not. We know how flat our King's and Lord Kitchener's stirring appeal and example fell. Parliament would not follow, and the number of soldiers and civilians who have adopted them seems lamentably small. In your fine article, "New Year Resolves," you say " the will of the majority must prevail," and that will is only too apparent. You should blame the nation, not the Premier.
To me the licence allowed to young Irishmen to stay at home while the rest of the manhood of the nation has to serve ie detest- able; yet the situation is most peculiar and abnormal, and far be it from me to say that the Premier is not wise in holding his hand.
When I am inclined to feel down-hearted, which is not often, it " bucks me up " to think that we have stout-hearted leaders such as Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Asquith who will not quail, but will see us through.
Referring again to "New Year Resolves," I believe that Mr. Lloyd George, like Lincoln, will be ready, if necessary, to force a weary and despondent nation to do its duty, and will refuse to end the war by some weak compromise. Also that he will control his Cabinet to the same end, and will give it and the nation a stern reminder and compel them to do a duty which in reality they will be glad enough and willing enough to perform.
I believe that Mr. Lloyd George has the confidence of our nation and of the Allies as a man who will never flinch. He is, moreover, the one man who is most feared and detested in Germany. There- fore I think that criticisms such as yours, which tend to diminish confidence in him, are most regrettable.—I am, Sir, &c., [Mr. Lloyd George said that drink was a worse enemy than Germany. Now he quietly yields to that enemy. We think our correspondent has chosen an unfortunate example of the Prime Minister's alleged push and go.—En. Spectator.]
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