The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-20
If Germany Is Sincere, Way
Open to Prove 1t.
ats Your Move, but Don't
Come Again in Role of VictOr.o
PEOPLE BACK LLOYD GEORGE
Endorse New Ministry's Pro-
posed Government Reforms.
COmmunize British Resources
in sOut-Germanizing Germans,

London, Dec. 20.-The allies have
not slammed the door on peace; they
have simply said to Germany:
Here are our terms; take them or
leave them. 1t is your move@but
don't come again in the role of a VIC
tor" .ssa.. srlses- -...----s.-
This was the universal British view
today, when the public had an 0ppor-
tunity to digest the full meaning OF
Premier Lloyd-George's speech in
commons. The public Interpretation
was that Lloyd-GeoIge had furnished
Won -Hollweg an opportun-
ity to demonstrate his sincerity II
Germany really desires peace, they ar
gued, she now knows how to go about
it.
Doesn't Control Allies.
Incidentally. it was remarked here
today how adroitly and strikingiy
Lloyd-George had destroyed Ger
many's illusion that England is DOM
mating the policies of the entente ma
tions. The premier, it was recalled,
had stated at the outset that Russia
and France, acting Independently and
separately, had reached the conclusion
to which England was now acceding.
Lloyd d-George's plan for universal
national service and civilian mobili-
zation, moulding the nation into an
army behind the army, was popularity
accepted today as tho it were the
simplest routine of peace times.
thought of opposition was manifest.
NationaIize Mines and Shipping
The press and the man in the street
reflected the universal sentiment
''the country's with Lloyd-George;
what does he want us to do?"
Impending naturalization of ship
ping and mines has been anticipated
for some time, and the Welsh miners
! alone had objected to naturalization
of their fields Taking over of ship
ping by the government has likewise
tbeen expected, as commerce has long
been the target of measures by those
seeking to cut down war profits.
| Everywhere the new plans were re-
garded as "out-German-ing the Ger
mans" in a concentrated, commune
the war. -
Press Approves of Speech.
The bulk of the morning papers
agree that Premier Lloyd-George ex-
pressed the views of the British ma
tion In his speech in the house of
commons dealing with Germany's
peace proposal.
Premier Lloyd-George," SAYS the
Times, expressed the thoughts and
wishes of the nation and laid down a
program which will command its
hearty support"
! This is the tone of the comment I'm
most of the other papers who hold
that the premier's answer and also
Lord Curzon's speech in the house of
\ lords are moderate in phrase. firm
and unanswerable in substance"
The papers declare that the nation
/ is prepared and will willingly under
take all the sacrifices foresha dowed
ana VIII face greater privatfons IL
/ necessary to insure those ends of rem
aration and security which the aIlies
demand from the central powers
| Negotiations Possible,
The Daily News points out there in
! possibility of negotiations being un-
/ dertaken, Notwithstanding the strong
statement of the premier and Lord
! Curzon and their endorsement by
members of the recent government.
The Daily News says that the door
! is not necessarily banged and boIted
and that the allies flat refusal of
Chancellor Won Bethmann-H -HoIlwegss
offer is not meant to Indicate that the
allies do not wish peace but that Ger
many must ask it in the role of the
| vanquished and not the victor The
! News expresses the hope that the al
lies will speedily agree on precise
terms on which they will be willing to
| negotiate. Even the Mail which has
! always demanded extreme measures
against Germany, says:
| There is no obstacle whatever tn
peace If Germany really wants It. She
has merely to withdraw from the oc-
| cupied countries and we are willing
| enough to discuss reparation and
guarantees for Hf11f1fra