MR. LLOYD GEORGE ON THE ENTENTE WITH FRANCE.

“COMPLETE & ABSOLUTE.”

A certain section of the French Press has been exercised during the last few days as to the attitude of Great Britain in general, and Mr. Lloyd George in particular, towards the question of the guarantees demanded by France. It had been suggested that there was British opposition to the French demands for security in the future. In an interview in the Petit Parisien to-day, Mr. Lloyd George disposes of these unfounded doubts. The British Premier is careful to make clear the relations existing between Great Britain and France at the present moment. “It is an urgent duty,” he says, “for there can be no graver mistake than to allow false news to be spread, which enervates the people, making them live in a poisoned atmosphere, which is propitious to all sorts of misunderstandings.” He goes on to say that there is no dissension whatsoever between the two countries. There have been discussions, but he points out that these were necessary to a solution of the problems, and he emphasises that it is the sincerity of discussions which brings about definite agreement. The understanding between France and Britain has remained complete and absolute. Great Britain, our Premier assures the French nation, is still the faithful Ally of France, in the same degree as she was in the war. And he adds that she will always be the Ally of France, to whom battle has united her in bonds of blood.

FULL SECURITY IN FUTURE.

The following is a complete account of the interview which Mr. Lloyd George granted to a representative of the Petit Parisien: “It is necessary,” Mr. Lloyd George began, “and even an urgent duty to make known the present relations existing between France and Great Britain. There can be no graver error than the dissemination of false news, exasperating the nations and poisoning with fear an atmosphere favourable to all misunderstandings and errors, which must be avoided at all costs between France and Great Britain. “The very idea of dissensions between our countries,” Mr. Lloyd George proceeded, with a shrug of the shoulders, “cannot exist in the future. The actual differences of view which arose only resulted in discussions necessary for the solution of problems which were often arid. Such discussions as these are inevitable when one man comes to discuss a point with another who has started from a different point of view, and when other men are in a similar situation. In order to arrive at an understanding the different points of view must be investigated. Thus a final decision is at last reached as a result of the earnestness of our discussions.” “At no time,” Mr Lloyd George continued, with emphasis, “has the Entente ceased to exist between Great Britain and France. The Entente has remained complete and absolute. That is what I had to say and make known to the French people, because it is the truth, and it is just. Great Britain, which was a faithful Ally of France during the war is still the same, and will always remain so – always. Besides, you who followed the British soldiers into battle know what ties of blood unite us.” After a moment’s pause, Mr. Lloyd George added: “The British did not come over to fight side by side with the French so that your country might enjoy a relative peace for a certain fixed period. Wo desire that France shall possess complete and full security in the future. You know what sacrifices Great Britain has made for the deliverance of France and the liberation of the world. Great Britain does not regret these sacrifices, and is ready to make them again, if it were necessary to assure peace and independence for France.” The interviewer of the Petit Parisien here remarked that Mr. Lloyd George laid a particular stress upon the word France, which recurred constantly to his lips.

WILD BEAST MUST BE DOMINATED.

“Although I am not old, in spite of my grey hairs,” the British Premier concluded, “I have twice seen the scourge of war laid upon France by Germany. Well, we no longer desire that this scourge should appear for the third time, and were this to happen in fifty years’ time France would still find standing at her side Great Britain, with all her wealth and all her power. For you must clearly understand what I say to you. the wild beast must be dominated. It is dominated at present, but if one day she arose ready to bite she would still find before her, united by a brotherly alliance, France and Great Britain. The men of my age who think what I tell you will no longer be here. but do not fear. We have taught our children to think like us.” The Petit Parisien, in the course of a leading article on the interview, says: “Though Mr. Lloyd George has a very vivid idea of the sacrifices made by his own country, he does not forget ours, nor our suffering, nor our losses, nor our impoverishment.” The writer goes on to say that all divergences of opinion now having found frank expression. M. Clemenceau, “who in the course of all the negotiations has shown a remarkable spirit of conciliation and balance,” will have no difficulty in securing the triumph “of all that he considers essential to the claims of France – if that is not already secured.” Meanwhile, he adds, “let us be patient, lot nobody spread disparaging rumours. Let us have confidence in the firmness of our leader, and confidence in the fairness and affection of our Allies – of all our Allies.” The interviewer himself records that Mr. Lloyd George had received him several times previously, and had always referred to France in singularly cordial terms, but that on this occasion it was not merely the statesman and principal British peace delegate to whom he listened – it was Mr. Lloyd George, the individual, protesting against and condemning vigorously and vehemently all the harmful comments that have been published in regard to his country and to himself. The British Prime Minister revealed, he says, a keen anxiety to dissipate all rumours calculated to give the impression of there being dissension between France and Great Britain, and spoke with indescribable fervour of the deep friendship between the two countries, which no cloud. he declared, would ever be able to darken. – Reuter.