MR. LLOYD GEORGE AND HIS GOVERNMENT. [TO THE EDITOR or
THE " SPECTATOR."' SIR,—Will you allow a reader of your paper for about twenty years to say how much I agree with your criticism of the Prime Minister and his Government ? It is unfortunate that they should have to be criticized, because at the moment we have none to take their place. But their weakness is unquestionably a national calamity. I have heard many expressions of thankful- ness that President Wilson and his legions have come in, and that the President knows his mind and is being supported by a brave and united people. Here we have Ministers making strong statements which are gradually watered down and resiled from. The Government adopt a policy insufficiently considered and then abandon it. They resolve to fight labour difficulties, and then some Minister makes extravagant concessions for peace. In my constituency men cannot understand the Government's weakness over the alien question, Irish recruiting and treachery, and labour difficulties. In America the Government mean business— here it looks as if our characterless administrators were always after votes. Are there no great leaders left to us ? How tired we all are of the politician ! A strong leader will command the support of the masses, but for want of one I tremble to think of the approach of a General Election. I have been a hard worker in politics for twenty-five years, and I have never known a time when strong leadership and well-considered methods were more required. The Government need not look for Irish support, because Ireland will not get any from the constituencies after its treachery. The one thing that eaves the Prime Minister from defeat is the fact that amongst our present statesmen he is the one most determined on finishing German militarism; but on the question of peace terms is he any more specific than Mr. Asquith ? He occasionally creates a feeling of suspicion amounting to a positive want of confidence. It is disquieting, and it is to be hoped that when Parliament meets. more backbone will be exhibited in order to reassure many who long for something of the American President's decision and character in the conduct
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