The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-12-19
LLOYD-GEORGE



to the agents OF former Premier Veni-
zelos of Greece.
After declaring that peace without
PREPARATION was impossible the premier
asked whether 'all the outrages on
land and sea" had been Hquidated,
by "a few pious phrases about human
ity"
When the premier entered the
house just before o'clock he was
cheered enthusiastically from all cor
ners. Former Premier Asquith, who
entered a moment later also was
cheered vociferously by the Liberals.
Sir william Robertson. chief of the
imperial staff at army headquarters,
dressed in khaki, was in the gallery
When the house assembled every
seat on the floor and IN the galleries
was filled. The diplomatic represen-
tatives of Great Britain's allies oc-
cupied seats in the galleries for dis
tinguished strangers.
On the benches reserved for lords
were many members of the upper
bringing about the recent change in
government. Among them were
Lords Northcliffe, Reading, .Burnham.
Islington and Pirrie. There was also
a scattering of ministers, including
Premier Massey and former Premier
Ward of New Zealand.
Calls 1t ''Rumanian Blunder''
Dealing with the war situation the
premier said he had to paint a stern
but not gloomy picture. The Ruman-
ian blunder was an unfortunate one,
but at the worst, it only prolonged the
war and could not affect it. 1t might
have salutary effect, he continued,
in calling the attention of the allies to
obvious defects of organization. To
prevent the Rumanian situation from
becoming worse, they had taken
strong action. In Greece they were
taking no risks. They had decided to
recognize the agents of former Pre-
n-ier Venizelos.
Speaking of the western front, Mr.
Lloyd George referred to the growth
of the British armies there and con-
tinued:
81 am convinced ultimate victory is
sure. if the nation shows the same spi-
rit of endurance and readiness to
learn as the mud-stained armies at the
front"
Suffered From Lack of Decision
Turning to the more purely political
of the domestic, problems before the
new ministry, Mr.. Lloyd George said:
I'VE are anxious to avoid all con-
troversal questions. The functions of
the premier and leader of the house
have been separated because it was
believed the double tasks were too
much for one man. The organization
of the new cabinet is best adapted to
the purpose of the war. In war YOU
fered disaster after disaster from the
hardness of decision"
German Ambassador Sees Chance.
Washington, Dec. 19.-Count Bern
storff, the German ambassador said
after hearing the first portion of
Lloyd-George's speech: THAT sounds
as if they would not refuse to talk
about peace any way"
The speech of Chancellor Won Beth
mann Hollweg before the German
reichstag was characterized by Mr..
Lloyd-George as constituting in sub
stance, a denial of the only terms
upon which peace was possible.
Premier Lloyd George said 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 dis
cuss vital questions.
/ The premier said it was DrOnosed
to appoint director of national serv-
ice and that all industries and services
would be scheduled as essential or
non-essential to the war
The premier said he was convinced
the irish question was a misunder-
standing and he hoped the misunder-
standing would be removed
settlement of the Irish question the
premier added would be a great war
measure.
Analyses ChancelIor's Speech.
chancellor's speech and then de-
clared emphatically:
without PREPARATION, peace is i'm
possible. Moreover, what guarantee
Is there that subterfuges will not be
used in future to overthrow anv
treaties of peace. where into we might
now enter. We must keep a stead
fast eye on the purpose for which we
entered the war. We entered it to de-
fend Europe from aggressions of the
RUSSIAN military caste. We must in
slst that there be the most complete
guarantees against this caste ever dis
turbing again the peace of Europe
Stop Germany now
Prussia has been a bad neighbor
n that The war has really been
undertaken it would be folly not to
see to it that this swashbuckling thru
the street of Europe and this disturb
ance or peaceful citizens was dealt
with, here and now, as the most seri-
ons offense against the law of nations
Amy one no wantonly prolongs
this conflict has a crime on his soul,
which oceans of tears could not
cleanse" the premier declared but
any one who abandons the struggle
without attaining the object would be
even more guilty. We are not likely
to attain our object by accepting the
German proposals. To accept the pro-
posals would be to put our heads into
moose. Historic example causes US
to regard the proposal with disquiet''
Referring to the mobilization of la
Dor, the premier said no man would
be taken into tn army if he were ca
pable of rendering more useful ser
vice outside it.
Arthur Neville Chamberlain, he an
nounced, had been appointed director
general of national service.
Petrograd, Dec. 19.-The council of
] 17a
ly in favor of a categorical refusal of
the allies to enter peace negotiations
with Germany.
GIVE UP BELGIUM!
Allies Demand This Before They'll