Foreign News: At It Again

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Margot Asquith contributed an article* to a London magazine, took some potshots at British political heroes past and present: Of Lloyd George, ex-Premier. "Lloyd George loves a crowd more than himself. He has more ideas and treats them with fickle and impartial humor." Of Lord Curzon, ex-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. "His natural self made many friends in his youth, but for some unknown reason he grafted onto that brilliant and hospitable self a certain ceremonious nonconducting personality which estranges intimacy and his sense of humor—which is of the highest quality—never has been focused on himself." Of Ramsay MacDonald, Premier. "Ramsay MacDonald watches and defends himself, but whether from strain or suspicion he is not at ease about himself." Of Lord Grey, ex-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. "Lord Grey has a self that few men can influence and none can force. People do not matter to him; his intimacies are with birds, trees and squirrels." Of Lord Birkenhead, ex-Lord High Chancellor. "Lord Birkenhead listens to himself but his brains have gone to his head and he hears confused sounds." Of Stanley Baldwin, ex-Premier. "Stanley Baldwin, though a little perplexed, is unconcerned and enjoys himself." Of Austen Chamberlain, ex-Chan- cellor of the Exchequer. "Austen Chamberlain is more loyal to his friends than to his convictions."

In a forthcoming book, entitled Without Prejudice, Margot was reported to have shown that unswerving fidelity to her husband, and through him to the Liberal Party, that is commonly expected of a good wife and a better politician. Among other things, the volume contains the following dialogue: Margot (ingratiatingly): "You are a greater man than Lloyd George or Winston Churchill." Benito Mussolini (swelling and smiling): "And who then is greater than I?" Margot (batting not an eyelid): "My husband."