Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-21
BRITAIN HlDORSES
WAR AIMS OF US.
Lloyd Georges Speech
Shows Struggle Is for
Triumph of Democracy
ALL CARDS ON TABLE
Wilson's Announced Principles
of Nationalities' Integrity
Accepted by Ally
By LOWELL MELLETT

LONDON, Dec. ~
Great Britain Is In full accord with
President wilson's outline of war aims
that the fight in the worlds democracies
I, victory is not toward realization OF
selfish desires.
Britain seeks no territorial eNten.
sion except that which an international
peace conference agrees IL necessary to
future security.
II is authorit ltively stated that Lloyd
Georges pledges are those developed by
virtually unanimous views OF all Gov
ernment circles.
OF all the ringing utterances OF the
Premier In his war aims speech or yes
terday-including the demand OF
restoration and Compensation for In
vaded territories-those which, In effect.
pledged adherence TO President Wilson'S
announced principle that nationalities
should be permitted to work out their
own destinies were regarded here TO-
day rs most striking.
With Englands cards on the table,
the outline of Great Br.tains position
from various high sources, following the
Prime Minister'S revolutionary an
nouncement Of England's colonial policy.
may be stated.
While the German colonies are re-
garded as nonreturnable, because the
peace conference must consider the fi-
ture security of the British union of
South Africa, yet Britain actually is
not desirous OF further territory there
She demands only the elimination of
the standing menace OF German mill
tary outposts
Britain is also not in sympathy willi
the imperialistic demands attributed to
minorites in other Allied countries.
She agrees that certain territorial re-
adjustments are necessary-but only for
the purpose of guaranteeing future Sc
curity.
Regarc1ng Alsace- Lorraine. England
holds If the Germanized portion of Lor-
raine desires to remain German that
section should be allowed to be German
territory. But the British hold that the
greater part OF Lorraine, as well as all
OF Alsace, Enthusiastically belongs TO
France.
In the Balkans, adjustment OF terri
torial boundaries is held by Great Brit
ain to be problem for decision of the
international peace body but With ad-
herence to President Wilson's principle
OF lines of nations to be drawn on the
basis of nationality of the peoples there
or. 1t is felt that the Balkan countries
iiN''i NOaiiN " ttllleIL
themselves.
An actual Italia Irredenta is supported
by Britain, including Trieste and the
Trentino. But England cannot support
italian claims TO Dalmatia and other
territory OF this character.
Poland, in the British view, is to be
permitted to work out its own destinies.
but the same right must be accorded
Courland and Lttuania.
As to President Wilson's views re.
garding commercial war on Germany
after the armed war. there is general
belief in British official circles that this
question will take care of itself but Ger.
tainly. 1t was pointed out. twenty-one ma
tions OF the world. now opposed~to Gey-
many, will not be willing Immediately
to resume business relations with their
enemy.
Regarding Belgium, full reparation
after REIMBURSEMENT is the policy INSIST
ed upon. The British Government. 1t
was held, indorses fully the recent dec.
larations on this point by the British
Labor party--the extreme liberals of
British politics. The Labor party's full
war aims attitude as to restorations OF
land and Investigations OF cruelties on
land and sea is indorsed by British Of
flcialdom
There is general approval OF the plan
Tor protectorate of Christian Powers
over the Holy Land.