The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1916-12-22
PEOPLE OF ENGLAND
BACKING up GEORGE
Continued from Page One.

The most important of these points fore
Swallowed by the premier was the gen.
eral mobilization of labor for the war
and the vital industries. The premier
indicated that he meant to begin with
voluntary plan. If this failed he would
ask parliament to give the government
compulsory powers to place all labor of
the state at its services.
America 10 Interested.
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.1
Washington, December 29.-The ma
tionalizing of British shipping, mentioned
briefly by Lloyd George as one of the
first acts of the new war ministry, COM
mands more interest here from a strict
ly American point of view than any 9TH
er phase of his speech. What effect it
will have on American foreign trade and
on the status of a British ship sunk by
a German submarine opened a new and
unexpected series of questions which Of
ficialS remark with much concern. TAX
ing into the national service the whole
mercantile marine following closely Eng
lands announcement that she could not
guarantee coal at any of her coaling baS-
es the world over except to ships con-
serving the allied interests, is thought by
officials at first glance to turn over the
great majority of the worlds carrying
trade to specific war purposes.
Impression In Washington.
Washington, Dec. 20.-The first off,
cial impression here of Lloyd-George's
reply to the German peace proposals,
with the announcements of Russia,
Italy and France, is that it does not
foreclose further moves which might
lead to a discussion of peace such as
the central powers have suggested.
This view is held by officials of the
administration and of the German EN-.
bassy.
Official Washington practically is
unanimous, however, in the opinion
that the British premier's speech has
shown that any positive action by the
United States toward mediation not
only would be premature but might
embarrass such action later
U. S. Will Not NEEDLE.
1t was stated authoritatively that
for the present the United States
would act only as an intermediary
transmitting communications between
the belligerents.
The German embassy interprets the
British premiers speech as opening
the door to a further discussion, al.
though the German. diplomats make
no attempt to conceal their uncertain
ty regarding the outcome of such ne.
gOtiations.
"To me it looks as if there, will be
at least one more exchange of notes."
said Count Won Bernstorff, (which
will talk of the future and not of the
past"
The allies responses are viewed by
administration officials, not as fiat
refusal, but as the answer most to
be expected of a group of belligerents
eager to throw back on their adver-
saries in world diplomatic struggle
for public opinion, all the onus of hav-
ing caused the war.
Refute Premier's Statement.
Lloyd Georges declaration that to
accept the German proposals as con-
tanned in the note transmitted
through the United States would be
to put "our heads in moose" was
met in German quarters by the state
ment that no set of belligerents would
in any way endanger itself by appear
ing at conference to enter into di.
rect negotiations.
1t was added that if the entente rep
resentatives did not like developments
they could withdraw Immediately, rep
resentatives of the central powers re-
serving the same right
Regarding guarantees the entente
will require for the future and the
general subject of reparation, Ger
man diplomats were sure their gov
eminent would, at least, be willing