Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-22
BONAR LAW EXPLAINS
POSITION OF ENGLAND
Must Make Germans Realize Tha
Militarism Is Not Going to
Rule World.
DISCUSSION OF PEACE OFEEI.
Replies to Liberal Member From
Northampton, Who Strikes New
Note in Urging That Proposals BE
Allowed to See Light Of Day.
IBy Associated Press. J


LONDON. December 2l.-There was
offer in the House OF Commons to-
night. Sir John \. Simon. on behalf
OF himself and 81 group OF, followers
gave unqualified support to Premier
Lloyd Georges speech In the House
and then Hastings B. l.. Smith. Liberal
member for Northampton, dressed i'm
his military uniform, sounded a new
note. urging that the German proposals
he allowed to the light OF day
Andrew Bonar Law. Chancellor of the
ENcheduer. and member OF the War
Council. promptly rose in behalf of
the government and declared that II
the tone Of Mr.. Smiths speech per-
meated the country, then all the blood
and treasure which had been spent in
the war would have been spent in
vain.
My understanding" said Mr.. Smith.
in his address. "is that the reply Of
the Premier TO the German note was
to the effect that the door was not
yet closed. That is 81 wise answer. and
The best possible answer at this stage.
The German proposals should he al
lowed TO see the light of day. If they
disclose an aggressive purpose. then
the German people will realize that
they arc not suffering and dying for
their mere existence. as they have
been told.
IF il were put to Il vote of tho men
at the front whether--provided we
could obtain guarantees that our hon
orable obligations would be fulfilled
we should then make serious effort
to get the parties together, then !
-.
carried by virtual unanimity.
Il ann not prepared to face the pas
sage OF - military decision which
means war Of attrtion until an,
convinced there is no other way out
believe IN the security scheme. 10y
which the nations agree together. each
Ia guarantee all and all guarantee
each An attempt TO hold the central
empires ucwn by a military decision
followed by economic stranEulation.
would mean carrying forward into
peace all host!lities and hatreds Of the
! war. II would divide Europe into
two host!l. camps. and would make
war moro inevitable and deadly than
eve. and woGld fnstcn conscription and
miltaris,n forever on all nations
ALL SPENT IN VAIN
H. THIS SPIRIT PERNADES
Mr.. Law said: IF the spirit Of the
speech to which we have just listened
were to pcrmcatc the country. be-
live that all thu blood and treasure
which have bceu spent in the war
would have been spent in vain.
1T is all very we'll TO sag. lie, Us
get their terms OF peace Yes. but
can you get amy terms more binding
than tSc treaty for the protection OF
the neutrality OF Belgium? Can YOU
com, to any conclusions on paper or
By promis, that will give us greater
security than We had before this
War.
NO, this nation alone. hut the ncu-
trail nations. will. ! hope understand
the position at which: We have now
arrived. Germany has made peace pro-
posals. On what basis? On the basis
Of her victorious armies. Is there
Il man who. considering the conditions
under which this war was forced on
us and the conditions under which
the war has been carried on. honestly
believes that the dangers and insc-
curiticS from which we have suffered
can he cured i'll amy way than hut by
| making the Germans realize that
| friShtfulncss does no; pay. that mill
tarism is not going 10 rule The world =: