Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-20
Crime Ocean Could Not CIeasne.

Any man or set of men who wan tonly or without sufficient cause pro- longed terrible conflict like this would have on his soul a crime that oceans could pot cleanse.
 On the other hand. it is equally true that any man or set or men, who from a sense of weariness or despair achieving the high purposes for which we entered it. would be guilty of the costliest act of poltroonry ever per- petuated by any statesman. I should like to quote the words of Abraham Lincoln after similar conitions; We accepted this war for an object and a world object and the war will end when the object is attained under God I hope it will never end until that tine'
 Are we likely to achieve the ob- iect by accepting the invitation of the Sses-n1sGn cllaf.eellor What are the pro- posals? There are none.
 ITO enter. on the invita- ton of Ger many proclaiming herself victorious, without any knowledge of what propos- als she proposes to make into a con- ference, is to put our heads into a moose with the rope end in the hands of Germany.
 Not Without Experience.
 This country is not altogether with out experience in these matters This Is not the first time we have fought a great despotism over-shadowing Europe and it won't be the first time we have helped to overthrow a mili- tary depotism. We have an uncom- fortable historical memory of these things and can recall one of the great est of thees despots, whose favorite de- vice was to appear in garb of an angel Of peace, either when he wished time to assImllate his conquests or to recog- nize his forces for fresh conquests, or, secondly, when his subjects showed symptoms of fatigue and war -weari- ness an appeal was always made in the name of humanity. He demanded an end to the bloodshed at which he professed himself mortified, although he himself was mainly responsible.
 Ancestors Were Deceived,
 "Our ancestors were taken in once an bitterly they and Europe rue it. The time was devoted to reorginiZing his forces for a deadlier attack than ever upon the liberties of Europe.
 Examples Of this kind cause us to regard this note with a considerable measure of reminiscent Gisquietude.
 We feel that we ought to know, be- Tore we can give favorable considera- ton to such an invita- ton, that Ger many is prepared to accede to the only terms on which it is possible peace can be obtained and maintained in Europe. Those terms have been re- peatedly stated by all the leading statesmen of the allies. They have been stated repeatedly here and out side. To quote the leader of the house last week:
 Entente Peace Terms.
 Preparation and guarantee against
  take and it is important that there should be no mistake in. a. matter of life or death to millions
 Let me repeat-complete restitu- tion, full reparation and effectual guar antees.
 Did the German chancellor use a single phrase to indicate that he was prepared to accept such a peace? Was there hint of restitution? Was there suggestion of reparation? Was lHere an implication of any security for the future. that this outrage on civilization would not again be per- petrated at the first profitable oppor- tunity.
 ''The very substance and style of the speech constitutes a denial of peace on the only terms on which peace is possible. He is not even conscious now that Germany has committed any offenSe against the rights Of free ma L. tions. Listen to this. from the note
 Not for ar instant have they (the central powers) swerved from the con- viction that respect of the rights of other nations is not in any degree in- compatible woth their own rights and legitimate interests
 Rights of Other Nations.
 When did they discover this? Where was reSpect for the rights of other na- tions in Belgium and Serbia? That was self-defence, menaced, I suppose by the overwhelming armies of Bel gium. I suppose the Germans had been intimidated into invading Bel gium and burning Belgian cities and villages, into massacring thousands of the inhabitants. old and young, into carrying them into slavery at the very