The Henson Journals

[164]

Tuesday, December 12th, 1916. Liverpool.

862st day

Fawkes accompanied me to the station, when I left at 11.28 a.m. for Liverpool. I arrived (nearly an hour after scheduled time) at 6.10 p.m: and was met at the station by Mr Lawrence Holt, who was to be mine host. He had collected an interesting party to dine, mostly men interested in education. There was Mr Philip Rathbone, Mr Jones (Mr Holt's partner), Mr Hobhouse (brother of the imprisoned Pacificist, Stephen), Mr Weisser [Weisse], the Head–master of the Liverpool Institute, and two others, whose names have gone from me. We talked with much ardour, but mainly on more interesting subjects than that of education; I was particularly interested to notice that there was a marked absence of approval or of confidence, so far as the new government was concerned. It is taken for granted, as a fact needing no proof that Lloyd–George has lent himself treacherously to the Northcliffe–plot against Asquith. These men were all Liberals, and I suspect that their indignation against Lloyd–George's 'treachery' is not unconnected with their resentment at the openly–expressed approval of it by the Conservatives, who dominate the little world of local politics. Yet I cannot doubt that they do no substantial injustice to the new Prime Minister. Mr Hobhouse is employed in Mr Holt's shipping office, and has felt it imperative in view of his brother's behaviour to join the Army in spite of the exemption which he enjoys. The shipping difficulties are evidently regarded by these Liverpool ship–owners as very formidable, and as probably destined to grow worse. Mr Rathbone spoke very gloomily of the military situation, & held that we ought not to be too eager to refuse discussion of peace.

---