Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-22
Press IndOrse
Lloyd s
Peace StGnd
Door Not Barred and BoIted,
They Say, and Germany Can
Have Peace If She Really
Wishes It
INV Associated Press.)

ABSOC1AIeQ
LONDON, Dec. z0.-Premier Lloyd
Georges reply to Germany's peace pro-
posal meets with a chorus of approval
in the British press and the genera
comment Is that if Germany really
wants peace she will, when the joint re-
plv oil the allies is received, state terms
which can form a basis of discussion
The Manchester Guardian says:
"Premier Lloyd-George has not shut
the door on peace with that resoundins
clang for which some of his less bal
anced supporters in the press have been
listening. 1t is true he insisted on the
impossibility of accepting the German
invitation as it stands. In this he was
ably seconded by Mr.. Asquith, and will
be approved by the country. The
German chancellor must be both more
modest and more explicit before he can
expect any favorable answer to his visi-
tation. But the real danger in the STU
alton which his offer created was that
the allies, this country in particular.
might be led into an abrupt and sweep
ing refusal, not merely of the actual in
yitation, but of any proposal to discuss
peace terms. This snare Lloyd-George
has avoided" --,z - <'c-.-v
The Guardian says that as the speech
invited Germany to be more explicit,
I'VE don OF then cast out every idea of
settlement and the neutral world can
not take exception to this attitude"
The Guardian notes that Che speech
contained no hint of the crushing of
Germany. .|'
The paper discussion of any matter Is
conditioned on restitution. In the truest
form, it continued, reparation is impos-
sible. for the deepest wrongs cannot be
undone. -s,. -, -,z--.. =.
Security we Certainly require" the
Guardian continues. 1.-THE best security
is the firm, unbroken front of the al
lance, fortified when the war ends by
a universal league to enforce peace. In
such "a league America would play
great part, and her presence alone would
be no small security"
Expressing the opinion that Chan
cellor Won Bethmann-H ollweg will ad-
NIT on reflection. that the proposals of
the entente alleis, as outlined by Mr..
Lloyd George formed a basis for discus
sion, the Guardien says:
There is in chis as in all countries
at war a great volume of opinion, too
little vocal, unfortunately, In favor OF
a serious effort on the part of Europe's
statesmen to put an end to the carnage
which is destroying the whole genera
ton of the young"
Premier Lloyd-George," says the
Times, expressed the thoughts and
wishes of the nation and laid down a
program which will command it's hearty
support" This is the tone of the COM
ment in 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 praise. firm and
unanswerable in substance"
The paper declares that the nation is
prepared and will willingly undertake al
the sacrifices foreshadowed and will face
greater privations If necessary to insure
those ends of reparation. and security
which the allies demand from the CEN
trail powers
k There is nowhere any hostile criticism
of the governments declaration, but the
Daily News contends that the forecast
of the measures for organizing the ma
ton do little more than indicate that
the policy of the late government will
. be continued and extended. 1t says
that If the new government succeeds IS
we'll as its predecessor the nation will
be grateful and that If it succeeds the
nation will be more than grateful.
At the same time the newspaper
comment points, out the possibility Of
negotiations being undertaken, notwith-
standing the strong statements of the
premier and Lord Curzon and their In
dorsement by members Of the late gov
eminent. Thus the Daily News says
that the door is not necessarily barred
and bolted and that the allies flat re-
fusal of Chancellor Won Bethmann-HollS
weg's offer is not meant to indicate that
the allies do not wish peace, but that