The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-12-23

London. Dec. 1s.-Ths announce
msat N tho house Of commons today
BY David Lioyd-G George. tho new, pre-
misr, that the h,.t act Of his adninis-
trstion was the rejection Of the pro-
possl Of the central powers for a
peace conference constituted one Of
The most momentous scenes which
tho oldest parliamentary veterans had
ever witnessed.
The new premier declared that be-
fore the allies could give favorable
considsration to such an invitation
they must know that Germany was
prcpared to ''sccsds to the allies
tsrmS. giving complete restitution. full
rspasation ana sfectual guarantees"
and ID enter . conference upon the
Invitation OF Germany proclaiming
herself victorious. without any knowi-
cdse Of her proposals. would be put
ting our heads into Q. moose with, the
END tf the rope In Germany's banda
NJ. Lloyd George asserted that at
the mopeht Germany was pennlng the
note. assuring her convictions as to
the 5ights OF other nations. she was
drassing BoIgians into slavery. He
announced that the note presented
thsovsh washington contained no pro-
popah pf terms. but was : paraphrase
3 GAHncellor Won Bsthmann-E Ioll-
wtC 1bsssA ana that ~ allies had
Pepasstetv ecseluds1 y rstess AZ
a mint reply. I
'p;rk Asoulkh, the former premier.
tetoodsd Mr.. Lioyd-G Georges declara-
tAbn with even stronger words and al
most -at the same moment Earl Cur
s0n war Informing the lords that the
guvernment would enter no confer
shce that ala o guarantee for Eu-
rope tho frce and independent exis-
tSnce OF nations great n small. Tho
Marquis OF crewo afirmed the ap-
proval of. the members Of the late
government.
The day was a doubiy important one
Tor ths commons because the new
PREMIER unfolded a programme for
wide reaching war measures and Mr..
Asquith closed the last chapter of
nine years OF leadership with an &C
counting OF his var Stewardship.
The principal feature Of Mr.. Lloyd
Georges programme Ia a @ for
national service. matching Germany's
latest scheme. whereby every citizen
Will be liable for enrolment to per.
form work for which the authorities
consider him best equipped.
Arthur Neville Chamberlain, MAYO,
OF Birmingham and a member Of the
famous family. whose enrgy and bus.
iness capacity are rated high. will be
director Of the national service with
sivil and military directors responsible
to him. .Hj9ER
The premier prefaced his review
OF the situation by the statement that
Britons did their best in time of dan.
ger. that the country should be TOLD
unpleasant facts and that he woplt
give not a dark but q stern view o.
the outlook.
Rising In the house a .ew minute.
after 4 o'clock. the prime ministe,
mil:
Il appear before the house toda,
with the most terrible responsible,
that oan fall upon the shoulders O
n living man az chief adviser of tn,
crown In the most gigantic war 4,
which this country was ever engaged
O war upon the events OF which Il.
destiny depends. II is the create
war ever waged: the burdens are In,
heaviest that have been cast upcr
this or any other country and the H.,
sues the gravest that have been at.
tached to any conflict In which hu.
manity was ever involved.
The responsibilities OF the new
government have been suddenly ac-
~ecntuated by the declaration made b.
tho German chancellor. The state
made by him In tho reichrae
has been followed by a note presen, N
hy the United States without note Or
comment. The answer given by this
government will be given in full nc.
cord with all our allies.
Naturally there has been an inter
change Of views. not upon the note.
because " has only recently arrived.
but upon the speech which lmpelled