Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-05-25
Agreement Necessary

| Sir Edward declared that it was i'm.
possible to consider terms of peace
without a previous agreement between
the Entente Allies. Further. he ex-
pressed the decided opinion that the
hostilities had not reached a stage
where it was possible to talk of peace,
especially as the German public was
constantly being fed with lies" by
| their minister.
| Using American Press
| Mr. Ponsonby's reference to the use
of the American press as platform"
was the outgrowth of recent inter-
i view with Sir Edward Grey. Sir Ed
ward in replying to this attack, while
admitting that important disclosure of
, policy ought first to be made to Par
lament. argued that crisis might
arise during the war when considera-
ton of etiquet should not be allowed
to stand in the way. He contended
that since German statesmen con-
stantly were giving interviews and
statements to the American press, It
would be mere pedantry which would
hinder British statesmen from counter
ing these statements in the interests
of their own country.
Mr.. Ponsonby argued in favor of count
enanctng peace possibilities and against
prolonging the war merely for the sake of
obligations to Great Britain's allies. The
speaker said that if the war had to be
continued until Constantinople fell, or I'M
til the unknown obligations to allies were
fulfilled, the country ought to be told
what those obligations are, and If there
were no essential differences between
Germany and Great Britain and no such
obligation the government ought to take
the earliest opportunity to press for a
termination of the war.
Not Vet Time Says Grey
Sir Edward Grey in replying pointed
out that his interview contained no new
declarations. He had no prepared speech
or statement to make, but he said il he
thought the German government or Ger
man opinion had reached the point where
the allied governments could bring
peace compatible with their desires near
er by making speeches about peace, he
would make dozens of them. But, the
foreign minister added. that time had not
yet arrived and the Allies were bound by
common obligations not to put forward
any terms of peace except by mutual
agreement.
Mr.. Ponsonby, in the course of his long
speech, made a strong attack on the gov
ernment's diplomacy. He said that the
peace of Europe would depend on the ca
pacity of statesmen for surveying the
great problems in a broad spirit. The in
sularity which had characterized British
diplomacy in the past constituted real
danger. The government must recognize
that the war had reached a deadlock and
at the same time the superior position Of
Great Britain must be recognized.
The latter was due to the spirit AMI
valor of the people and not to statesmen.
The speaker said he hoped the state
men were not going to imperil the situa-
ton by delay. Nothing had helped Ger
many more than the extreme lingo ut
terances of responsible statesmen. They
had enabled Prussianism to keep Ger
many together. Mr.. Ponsonby said re-
ordinations must cease. He considered
it wanting In respect to the British. peo-
pie for the ministers to disregard Par
lament and adopt the American press
as platform. The war would never end.
Mr.. Ponsonby continued. IL Great Bri-
tain waited until Sir Edward and DR..
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