The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-02-24
DEBATE ON PEACE
UP IN COMMONS
P~acifists Call on Asquith to
Lay Definite Terms Be-
fore People.
WON'T MODIFY STAND

Wv N"p't DN"pSsN
LONDON. Feb. 23.-Philip snowden.
Socialist, and Charles Philips Trevelyan.
a pacifst leader. opened a debate In
the House Of Commons to-day on peace
terms.
Mr.. snowden declared that there was
no ground for hope OF a decisive and
crushing victory for either side. The
people Of England. he said. had a right
to demand that the Government state
In more definite and precise language
the terms on which they were willing
to consider peace.
Mir. Treveiyan said that both the Ger
man and British Governments desired
peace but that neither would take the
Initiative. He denied that overtures on
E.ngland's part would really he regarded
as a sign of WEAKNESS or proof OK faii-
ure. a..
I'VE have no hope Of peace" he said.
"as long as Germany believes that we
are out on policy of conquest ara az
gression." a.
Premier AsQuith. replying TO the
peace advocates. said:
THE German Chancellor's statement
that Germany Is not the enemy OF the
small nations was one Of colossa. ana
shameless audacity. / would be more
disposed to attach Importance 10 the
imaginary inclination OF the German
Chancellor In the direction OF peace II
Il we're put forward in language sus-
tanned by arguments not 80 transpar-
entity hypocriiical." -
A more real evidence or tine desire
for peace. the Premier said. was the
nata1tS marry
Until the achievement of the conditions
OF peace laid down In his Gu.ldhall
speech were within sight, Mr.. Asduith
added. neither Great Britain nor her
allies would abate the prosecution OF
the war.
Premier AsIui;h concluded as follows.
his words being a~pplauded from every
corner Of the House:
81 have stated In clear. direct, en-
plicit and emphatic language what are
the terms upon which We in ms country
are prepared 10 make peace ! WIFI
peat them. They are familiar to our
allies and we'll known 80 the German
chancellor.
what | said November .. 1914, ! re-
pea, now. We shall never sheathe the
sword which we have not lightly drawn
until Relgium-and. I viii odd. Serbia
recover In full mcaSure all and more
thar they have sacrificed until Franc"
IL adequately secured against aggression,
until the of the small nations OF
Europe are based upon An unassailable
foundation. and until the snilitary donli-
nation of Prussia Is wholly and final!
destroyed"
In reply to another Interrogation in
the House Of commons Premier As
auth declined To- moN" that the mem
l,ers of Parliament SHOULD receive no
salaries.
In In. debate which followed Tho Frc-
nier's speech. stephen walsh. l.shorlt'.
expressed III" view that "tlc German
aegressors" should make the first pro-
posals."
Sir William t,ylos said that there Was
a demand and a desire for peace IN tier
many and ~" hciieNed that this d"sirf
would result ia h"tt"r trru~ u"w 'Htr
laier. Major Arthur 'rtNl Nurrd' 70
plicd that u peace treaty mtd" 80"
would not bc worth the paper IL wa'
written on.
In IN. debate ON ~" hlo"kdd" 30 the
! House Of Lords Niscouut Peel said tina
! i, would lie bad policy to make it ad
yantageous to ncutrils that Ia. wa
! should continue AS long ~ possible"
great deal 81 trad. Wa gong {" 'iri'
many. he said. which ought I" y" stopped
Th. MARQUIS Of 'rews said on behalf
, ~ the Government that tn" operations
Of the navy had not been int"rf"ret
with or hanpered by the Government IN
it, prosecution 81 the blockade. The
motion Of lord Sydruhdm "nlinC for 4
str!cter blockade was withdrawn