The Sentinel=record., 1916-12-20

London, Dee. lo-The announce. ment in the house of commons todaS by David Lloyd-Georee, the new p~s. mier that the first act ol his admin istration Was the refusal Of tha pro rosal Of the central powers for a peace conference constituted one of the most momentous scenes which the oldest parliamentarian veterans had ever witnessed
 The new premier declared that he fore the allies could give favorable consideration to such an invitation they must know that Germany was prepared 10 accode 10 the allies terms giving complete restitution. ml, re- ltaration and erlecmal guarantees and to enter a conference uuon the invitation ot Germany proelaimmg sarsef Nictori.ds, without any know 1 ledge Of her proposals would ba pat. ting cur heads into a moose with the end of the rope in Geman's hands. 2
 Mir L'ol d-Georae asserted that Ut the moment Germany was peunme 1 the uote assuring her convictions a, to the rights of other nations she was dragging Belgians Into slavery. He announced that the note presented through Washington contained no pro pcsals of terms, but was a paraphase cf Chancellor yon Bethmana-uoI. Weg's speech and that the allies had separately concluded to reject 1t. al. though they had informally exclane- ed views and would within few day present a joint reply
 Mr. AsQuith che former premier, seconded Mr. Lloyd-Gegrge's decision with even stronger words and almost at the same moment Earl Curzon was informing the house of lords that the government would enter no confer 1 ence that did not guarantee for Ea- rope the free and independent eNs- tence of nations great and small. The 1 Marquis Of CreWe affirmed the ap- rroval of the members of the late gov enment.
 The day was a doubly important one for the commons because the new premier mfelded his program for wide reaching war measures and Mr. Asquith closed the last chapter of his Ane years O. leadership with an ac- lCounting Of his war stewardship.
 The principal feature Of Ar Iloyl- George program is a measure for na- tiona service matching Germany $ latest scheme, whereby every citizen will be liable for enrolment to per form work for which the authorities consider him best equipped
 Arthur Neville Chamberin, mayor of Birmingham and a member of the | lamoUs family whose energy and bus
 ness capacity are rated high, will be director Of the national service, with civil and military directors responsi- lle to him.
 The premier preaced his review of the situation by the statement tha, Britons did their best in time of dang CT, that the country should be old Unpleasant facts and that he would give not a dark but a stern view oi the outlook.
 Rising in the house Of commons a few minutes after o'clock the prime minister said
 appear before the house of com mons today with the most terrible re sponsibiiity that can fall upon the shoulders of any living man as chie' Iadviser of the crown. in the most gi eantic war in Which this country was ever engaged war upon which thf events of it's destiny depends. It is the greatest war ever waged; the but
 dens are the heaviest that have beer
 cast upon this or any other countr,
 and the issues the sravest that hay,
 been attached to any conflict in whiet humanity was ever involved.
 The responsibilities Of the neH government have been suddenly ac lnautuafad t,xr tha .laotapaffg,p m 1, i,t