Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-12-19
WITHOUT PREPARATION
PEACE is IMPOSSIBLE
[Continued From First Pagel


one, but at the worst it only prolonged
the war, and could not affect it. 1t
might have a salutary effect, he con-
tinued. in calling the attention of tie |
allies to obvious defects of organiZa-
ton. To prevent the Rumanian situa- |
ton from becoming worse they had
taken strong action. In Greece they |
were taking no risks. They had de-
cided to recognize the agents of for
mer Premier VeniZeloS.
Convinced of Victory
Speaking of the western front, Mr.. |
Lloyd George referred to the growth |
of the British armies there and con- |
tinued
II am convinced ultimate victory is |
sure ii the nation shows the same
spirit of endurance and readiness to
learn as the mud-stained armies at the
| front"
Turning to the more purely politi-
cal of the domestic problems before
the new ministry, Mr.. Lloyd George
said:
I'VE are anxious to avoid all con-
| troversial questions. The functions OF
the premier and leader of the House
of Commons. have been separated be-
cause it was believed the double tasks
were too much for oen man. The
organization of the new cabinet is best
| adapted for the purpose of war. In
| war you want prompt decision, and
the allies have suffered disaster after
disaster from tardiness of decision"
Director of National Service
| The speech of Chancellor Won Beth
mann -Hollweg before the German
| Reichstag was characterized by Lloyd
George as constituting in substance a
denial fthe only terms upon which
| peace was possible.
! Premier Lloyd George said that the
time had come when the dominions
should be consulted more formally as
| to the war. An imperial conference
would be summoned at an early date
to discuss vital questions.
| The premier said il was proposed to
appoint a director of national service
and that all industries and services
would be scheduled as essential or
nonessential to the war.
Scores Subtcrfuges
The premier analysed the German
Chancellor's speech and then declared
emphatically:
"Without reparation peace is i'm
| possible. Moreover, what guarantee
| is there that subterfuges will not be
used in future to overthrow any
treaties of peace whereinto we might
now enter.
I'VE must keep a steadfast eye on
/ the purpose for which we entered the
war. We entered it to defend Europe
from aggressions of the Prussian
military caste. We must insist that
| De the IllOSl COlhpltl 6uSiltlh-
tees against this caste ever disturbing
again the peace of Europe.
Prussia has been q bad neighbor.
No wthat the war has really been un-
dertaken it would be folly not to see
it that this swask- -buckling through
the streets of Europe and this disturb
ance of peaceful citizens was dealt
with here and now as the most serious
offense against the law of nations.
Irish Question Misunderstood
The premier said he was convinced
the Irish question was a misunder-
standing and that he hoped this un-
derstanding would be removed.
Settlement of the Irish question, the
premier added, would be great war
measure.
Referring to the mobilization of
labor, the premier said no man would
be taken into the army if he were
capable of rendering more useful
services outside of it.
Arthur Neville Chamberlain, he an
nounced, had been appointed director
general of national services.
Eyes of World Turned
The first appearance OF
David Lloyd George before the
House of Commons as premier was
made to-day in circumstances seldom
If ever faced by new holder OF the
office. Even if the peace proposals OF
the central powers had not intervened,
his statement of the policy of his gov
ernment which was chosen in reply
to a public demand for more vigorous
prosecution of the war, would have
marked an important step in the world
conflict. The peace note, however,
shifted the interest, and every corner
; of the world awaited the announce
ment as to the British attitude toward
the move of the central powers.
The secret was so well kept that
the best-informed parliamentary cor
{ respondents differed as to the treat
. Iment the peace proposals would re-
ceive. The London papers which sup
, port the Lloyd George government
most strongly expressed the view that
the government had decided a con-
ference on Gerihany's terms would not
be considered. Even the moderate
provincial papers warned the pacifists
they had best make up their minds
that a prompt refusal would be forth
coming But the hope was expressed
in many quarters, Notwithstanding the
fact that the German note contained
no terms that Premier Lloyd George
would be a little more communicative
and gave the central powers some hint
as to what they would have to give as
the price of peace.
Besides the peace proposals, the
premier had to deal with many ques-
tions facing the new government, in
Guiding the drastic war emergency
measures, the Irish and food problems
and the submarine menace.
Such was the interest in the speech
that every member OF the House of
Commons with the exception of the
considerable number on the sick list
owing to the prevalence of influenza
and those in active service in distant
countries. made efforts to secure a
seat or standing room, while for the