The Elbert County tribune., 1916-12-22
INDICATES NATIONS MIGHT CON-
sIDER PROPOSALS If THE
TERMS WERE KNOWN.
MUST Be PREPARATION
DECLARES ALLIES WILL NOT PUT
NECK IN MOOSE WITH ROPE
IN GERMAN HANDS.

London.-The announcement in the
House of Commons on the 18th by
David Lloyd-George. the new prime
minister. that the first act of his ad-
ministration was the rejection of the
proposal of the central powers for a
peace conference constituted one of
the most momentous scenes which the
oldest parliamentary veterans had
ever witnessed.
The new premier declared that be-
fore the allies could give favorable
consideration to such an invitation
they must know that Germany was
prepared to accede to the allies
terms, giving complete restitution,
full reparation and effectual guaran-
tees" and,that ito enter a conference
upon the invitation of Germany, pro-
claiming herself victorious, without
any knowledge of her proposals,
would be putting our heads into
moose with the end of the rope in
Germany's hands"
Mr.. Lloyd-George asserted that at
the moment Germany was penning
the note assuring her convictions as
to the rights of other nations, she
was dragging Belgians into slavery.
He announced that the note present
eG to Washington contained no pro-
posals OF terms. but was paraphrase
of Chancellor Won Bethmann-Hollweg'
speech and that the allies had separ-
ately concluded to reject it. although
they had informally exchanged views
70, dow
joint reply.
Mr.. Asquith, the former premier,
seconded Mr.. Lloyd-George's decision
with even stronger words, and almost
at the same moment Earl Curzon was
informing the lords that the govern
ment wouldu enter no conference that
did not guarantee for Europe the free
and Independent existence of nations
great and small.
The principal feature of Mr.. Lloyd
Georges program is a measure 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, mayor
OF Birmingham. and a member Of
the famous family whose energy and
business capacity are rated high, will
be director of the national service,
with civil and military directors re-
sponsible to him.
The premier prefaced his review OF
the situation by the statement that
Britons did their best in time of dan
ger, but the country should be told
unpleasant facts, and that he would
give, not dark, but stern view of
the outlook He deplored the mistakes
tlat had been made regarding Ru-
mania He said the government had
decided to deal firmly with Greece
and would recognize the agents of
former Premier Venizelos.
| The history of the alliance had been
one of tardy decision. The central
powers had the advantages of inter
nal communication and working under
one supreme management, while the
policy of the entente allies had been
too much one of separate fronts.
Mr.. Lloyd-George said he was faced
by worldwide shortage in crops.
Britain by weather which prevented
the sowing of winter wheat. He an
nounced plans for the organization of
agricultural control, for control of
shipping and the arming of merchant
men, greater control of mines and the
suppression of the taking of excessive
profits.