[Cover Illustration] [Illustration: _From a Photograph by Miss Olive Edis_, _F.R.P.S._, specially taken for this book at 10, Downing Street, October 15, 1917. D Lloyd George (Signature)] THE PRIME MINISTER BY HAROLD SPENDER “Who, if he be called upon to face Some awful moment to which Heaven has joined Great issues, good or bad, for human kind, Is happy as a Lover; and attired With sudden brightness, like a Man inspired.” The Happy Warrior. NEW YORK GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA F O R E W O R D MY thanks are due for assistance in writing this book to Mr. Lloyd George, with regard to whom I have the privilege of drawing on the memories of twenty-seven years of unbroken friendship; to Mrs. Lloyd George; to Mr. William George, the Prime Minister’s only brother; to Mr. Philip Kerr and Miss Stevenson, C.B.E., his secretaries; and to Mr. Arthur Rhys Roberts, formerly his professional partner. For certain chapters I owe particular thanks to Sir John Stavridi, Consul-General of Greece and Councillor of the Greek Legation; to Sir Hubert Llewellyn Smith, G.C.B., Permanent Secretary of the Board of Trade; and to Mr. W. T. Layton, C.B.E., formerly of the Ministry of Munitions. I wish also to express my gratitude to all the other numerous persons who have so generously helped me in this important task. H. S. LONDON, 1920. CONTENTS