The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-26
Lloyd George Gives Inter view Outlining What Is
 to Be Discussed
COLONIES TO BE GIVEN
 VOICE IN ALL MATTERS
Premier Says That Mother Country Needs Advice of Dominions in Conduct of War and Propos-
 ing Peace Terms

ment has cabIed to the dominions for inform ation as to the earliest date at which their representatives will be able to reach London for the imperial council. emphasizing the importance of opening the discussions soon as pos- sible. It was hoped at first that the sittings might begin next month, but owing to political conditions and other matters in the dominions 1t Is not Iike- ly to be opened before the middle of March.
 LLOYD GEORGES STATEMENT
 Ottawa, Ont, January 25.-The fol- lowing dispatch was received today from London by the Reuter- Telegram company agency here:
 Premier David Lloyd George gave an important interview today on the subject of the forthcoming imperial war council to the London correspond ent of the Australia United Cable service. The prime minister said:
 T do not wish to interfere in any way with the affairs of a great self governing dominion, but we took the step of urgently inviting the domin- ions premiers to lead in the war coun- cil, despite the fact that it might cause much inconvenience locally be- cause we need their advice and as- sistance during the struggle and in the negotiation of peace.
 Australia knows that I am no jim go. The war has changed us, heaven knows. It has taught us more than we yet understand; it has opened new age for us and we want to go into that age together with our fellows overseas just as we have come through the darkness together and shed our blood and treasure together.
 SCOPE WILL BE BROAD
 '"rhe empire war council will deal with all general questions affecting the war. The prime ministers or their representatives. will be temporarily me snbers o4 the war cap piret ssfs4 '. 2 propose to arrange that all matters Of flrst-rate importance should be con sidered at series of special meet ings. Nothing affecting the dominions, the conduct of the war or negotiations for peace will be excluded from its purview There will, of course, be do- nestle questions, which each part of the empire must settle for itself questions such as recruiting in the United Kingdom or home legislation. Such domestic matters will be our only reservation, but we propose that everything else should be, so to speak, on the table,
 ONE OBVIOUS QUESTION "Will the discussion include such matters as the fate of the German colonies?' was asked.
 That is one obvious question" the premier replied, "but there are many questions of equal moment. All the different problems connected with naming peace. as was stated in the governments invitation, will be threshed out The war policy of the empire will be clearly defined and of great importance is what I may call the preparation for peace. That will involve not only demobilization, but such after-the-war questions as the migration of our people to other parts of the empire, the settlement of sol- dicrs on the land, commerce and in- dustry."
 You have not hestated to depart from precedent?'
 BLAZE NEW TRAIL We certainly have not,' answered the premier. "But in these days we cannot hesitate because we are breaking prece- dents. The empire has thrown itself heart and soul into the war and we would be falling in our duties if we did not take every possible step to see that it's leaders get together from time to time. 'You do not suppose that we think tContinued on Page Ninel