Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-24
PLEA FOR PEACE
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Continued from Page One)
continue in the expectation of crush
ing Germany. he declared, her people
ought to be convinced that it was the
best method for establishing the in
ternational relations Of the European
powers. He. however, believed that
continued attempt to crush Germany
would be the worst basis for the estab-
lishment Of a just and lasting settle
ment.
The speaker declared that all the ma
lions, and especially Germany, were be.
ing driven to accept the evidence fur
nished by this war of the futility of mil
itarism and the time was therefore ripe
for making a movement in the direction
Of peace. He maintained that the German
socialists were solidly in favor OF peace
now that it has been proved that Ger
many was invulrerable from external at
tack.
Asquith Appiauded
Both Mr.. Snowden and Charles Philips
Trevelyan, Liberal members for Yorks,
who followed along similar lines. were
listened to in silence, but when Premier
Asquith replied his speech was punctuat-
ed with loud outburts of cheers. This
was especially the case when the premier
said he would not like it to go forth to
the world that Messrs. Snowden and Ire
velyan were Spokesman for any suhstan-
tial body of public opinion. He even
doubted whether they spoke for their own
constituencies.
Not Asauith's Opinion
The premier welcomed Mr.. Snowden's
admission that the country would remain
of one mind in demanding that the con-
ditions Of peace should be such as to Sc
cure the permanent attainment of the ma
tional aim. He declared that Mr.. Snow
denis statement on the military situation
was a matter of opinion.
"It is not mine." was the comment
The real gist Of Mr.. Snowden's
speech. added the premier, was the
contention that a genuine desire for
peace existed in Germany. AS evidence
of this, there was the report Of the de-
bate in the Reichstag ard the chan
cellor's speech in which he said -
would welcome approaches from any
quarter, but did not say he was pre-
pared to make approaches himself.
The premier referred in biting terms
to the chancellor's statement that Ger
many was rot the enemy of small ma
tons and characterized the statement
as colossal and shameless audacity"
after Germany's treatment Of Belgium
and Serbia.
Mr. Asquith concluded as follows, his
words evoking applause from every
corner of the House,
Il have stated in clear, direct explic-
it and emphatic language what are the
terms upon which we in this country
are prepared to make peace. 1 will re-
peat them. They are familiar to our
allies and we'll known to the German
chancellor.
What l said November 9. 1914, re-
peat now: We shall never sheath the
sword, which we have not lightly
drawn, until Belgium-and l will add,
Serbia-recover in full measure all and
more than they have sacrificed; until
France is adequately secured against
aggression; until the rights of the small
nations Of Europe are based upon an
unassalable foundation. and until the
military domination of Prussia is who'll
~ and finally destroyed.
What is there wanting in clearness
and directness in that? I ask Mr. Ire
velyan and the German chancellor how
can make it any fuller and intelligi-
BILE? How can l do more to convince
him and all our enemies that not until
a peace based upon these foundations
is within sight of attainment shall we
or any of our allies abate by one jot
of prosecution of this war"
Mr.. Asquths speech in reply was fol-
lowed by score of speeches. for the
most part applauding the premier's posi-
ton Two or three so-called peace advo-
Gates supported Mr.. Snowden. but found
themselves scarcely tolerated by their
audience. The only applause during any
of the pro-peace speeches. came from a
SPECTATOR in the strangers gallery. who
was promptly elected.
Stephen Walsh, for the Labor party, de-
MED that Mr.. Snowden expressed the
opinion of organized labor.
The House of Lords continued today
the debate on the blockade. Baron Sy-
denham finally withdrew his motion for
a strcter blockade after the Earl Of
Crewe, lord president of the council, had
further clarified the governments posi-
ton.