The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1916-12-21
BRITISH PREMIER
ST|RS WASHINGTON
WITH MARINE VIEWS
Naturalization of Ship
ping Would Disturb
Sea Commence
status OF GREEK
Rebel Leader, Venizelos,
Makes Delicate Question for
American Government

Washington, D. C.-The national
ed briefly by Premier Lloyd-George
as one of the tirsts acts of the new
war ministry, contains more interest
here from the American point or
view than any other phase of the
premier's speech, whether the diff
ference it would on American foreign
trade and the status of American
ships sunk by German submarines
has opened a new and vast series of
questions. which officials regard
with much concern.
The taking into national service Of
the whole merchant marine, follow
ing closely on England's announce
ment that she could not guarantee
the obtaining of fuel at any coaling
bases the world over, except to ships
conserving the Allied interests, was
thought by officials at the first
glance to turn over a great majority
of the worlds shipping to special
war purposes. There is nothing in
law which the United States can do,
should the whole British merchant
marine be withdrawn from Ameri-
can trade.
1t is thought that the effect on the
submarine question would be to re-
move the confusion between public
vessels not entitled to any guaranty
and the private vessels entitled to a
warning and provisions for the safety
OF those on board. Just where the
point of distinction would lie is a
complex question.
IloyQ-,.eorge's announcement of
he recognition of the agents of Ven
izelos raise the question of what
should be the attitude of this gov
eminent should Venizelos become
the de facto ruler of an appreciable
part of Greece
May Mobilize Labor.
London, England.-The British
public had much to reflect on this
morning. The reply of Premier
l.loyd-George to Germany's peace
proposals had been anticipated and
passages of his speech with the ques-
lion appeared in late editions of yes
terday's newspapers.
The domestic program of the new
government, not published until this
morning, was too vast and too brief
" Indicated for the immediate crys-
,alilaton OF opinion.
The most important of these
points, foreshadowed by the premier,
was the general mobilization OF labor
Tor the war and in this vital ques-
lion, Iloyd-George indicated, he
meant to begin with the volunteer
plan. and if that failed to ask par
lament to give the government
compulsory power to place all OF
the labor of the stat at it's service
His proposals therefore FOLLOWED
somewhat on the line of the Ger
man governments man-levy.
When Lloyd-George invited thu
labor representatives. to join The
cabinet this scheme was put before
them. but they deferred judgmen
until the details We're given them
hostility. in the rank and file o
labor SETS in it is believed thu
scheme viii fail.
Te setvc Irish Problem.
Dealing WIFI the relations OF TIT
I war cabinet vi 4 Che general govern
ntent. Lloyd-Gearge suggested tina
communication be maintained by tn
~ circulation OF the reports OF tn
proceedings of the cabinet. AS t
parliament. he limited that the Frenc
committee system be adopted.
Shipping and coal mines are to b
put under the same kind of contrt
IS as the railroads. The fact that tn
A. premier passed straight from lr'
N land TO the imperial conferences SUI
a gests that he hopes to find soil
T., ton OF the Irish problem in this col
n ference.
The government probably will r
X ouire the whole of the eight weel
1t of the parliamentary recess to pr
If duce the measures foreshadowe
is above.