Evening star., 1917-04-12
US. WELCOMED
BYLL0YD GEORGE
Says Entrance Into War Gives
Final Stamp to Conflicts
Character.
RECALLS BRITISH ERRORS

BY the Associated Press.
LONDON. April IL. 3:07 p.m.-Ad-
dressing the American Luncheon Club
today. Premier Lloyd George said the
advent of the United States into the
war had given the final stamp and
seal to the character of the conflict,
which was a struggle against military
autocracy. The premier said he was
not surprised that America had taken
time to make up her mind to the
character of the struggle, having re-
gard to the fact that most of the great
wars in Europe in the past had been
waged for dynasty aggrandizementa and
conquest.
Early in the war, Mr.. Lloyd George
continued, the United States did not
comprehend what had been endured in
in Prussia. Saying that Prussia was
not democracy, but that Emperor
William had promised it would be after
the war. he added: Il think the kaiser
is right"
Guest List Is Notable.
The luncheon, held to celebrate the
entrance of the United States into the
war, brought together the most dis
the club. The guests included Chan
cellor Bonar Law Col. Winston Spencer
Churchill, Lord Reading, Gen SHUTS
Lord Derby. Lord Bryce, Walter Hume
Long. the Italian ambassador, Marquis
lmperiai di Francavilla: the Cuban
minister, Garcia Nelez, and Herbert
C. Hoover, chairman of the American
commission for relief in Belgium
Premier Lloyd George, the guest of
honor, delivered the principal speech
after brief introduction by Ambassa-
dor Page. The premier received tre-
mendOuS ovation when he entered the
room. Toasts were drunk to President
Wilson and King George.
Long List of Blunders.
The premier said he was happy in the
position of being the first British min
lister of the crown speaking on behalf
the American nation as comrades-in-
arms. He was glad and proud, he re-
joiced as a democrat. he declared. at the
advent of the United States in this con-
fict
"In three years we tried every kind of
blunder,'' said Mr.. Lloyd George. I'VE
got into every bunker. But now we
have got a good niblick stroke and we
are right out into the course.
"It Is worth Americas while to study
our blunders and begin where we are
now. I am glad the United States is
sending naval and military experts to-
this country to exchange views with
men who have been through three apN-
iouS years of war.
Mr.. Lloyd George said it would have
been a tragedy for mankind If America
had not plac herself in a position to
take part in the peace conference, with
all the influence and power for right
she was now winning for herself.
Ships Assure Victory.
Absolute assurance of victory. the
premier said, was to be found in the
word ships" He saw that the United
States realized this fully and had ar
ranged to build thousand ships for
the Atlantic.
Field Marshal Won Hindenburg, the
premier went on. had declared that
German submarines would put England
out of business before the United States
was ready.
He does not know America" the
premier declared. He added that Won
prophecy was "as false
broken already"
The United States, the speaker con-
tinued. had the noble tradition of never
having engaged in war except for lib
erty.
He asserted the present war was the
greatest struggle for liberty upon
which America ever had embarked He
rejoiced more in the knowledge that
America was going to win the right
to sit at the conference table when
terms of peace were decided than at
the resources she would bring to the
allies.
Sees Not-Distant Peace.
Il can see peace coming now" the
premier declared. He said 1T would
not be peace which would mean end
less preparation for strife and blood
shed. but "a real peace which this old
world has never known"
Strange things had happened in this
war. he declared, and stranger things
were to come. Today devastating
war was being walked; tomorrow-per-
haps not a distant tomorrow-war
might be abolished forever from the
category of human crime.
Mr.. Lloyd George said the United
States had helped to win the battle OF
Arras, because the machines which
made some of the shells which had
destroyed the German trenches came
from America