The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-28
American Attitude Remains
Firmly Anti-Kaiser.
STICK TO WILSON PEACE AIMS
British Labor Party Demands
Overthrow of Kaiserism.
War VIII Continue Despite
Russian Separate Peace.
(By the Associated Press.) }

to indicate the trend of official opin-
ion on the German terms Tor a gen
eral peace as laid down in the reply of
the central powers to Russia's pro-
posals.
Stephen Pichon. Frances foreign
minister, was explicit in a statement
made in the chamber of deputies de-
claring that France could not accept
a peace based on the conditions that
existed before the war. The war
would go on whether or not Russia
made a separate peace, he said The
question of Alsace Lorraine, the res
toration of which France demands.
was a world question, not a territorial,
but a moral problem, he declared,
and on it's solution depended whether
the world would have durable peace
David Lloyd George, the British
nremier in a letter sent to the British
labor congress made statement
which is regarded in London as the
british reply to the German offer. In
This Mr.. IIoyd George declared that
it was essential to the future peace
and freedom of mankind that the pur-
poses for which the allies are fighting
be achieved.
The French ministerial attitude was
fortified, as shown in last nights Paris
dispatches, by a vote taken in the
chamber after NJ. Pichon's statement
was made. An opposition resolution
was voted down All to 80 and a reso,
luton approving the declaration and
expressing confidence in the ministry
was adopted 3S4 to 0.
France Spurns Offer.
Paris, (Thursday) Dec. 27.-France
will not accept peace based on con
ditions before the war, Foreign MIN
lister Pichcn declared in replying in
the chamber of deputies today to the
peace terms of the central powers out
lined to Russia. He asserted that
Germany was endeavoring to involve
France in it's negotiations with Boil
sheviki out that the war would go
on whether or not Russia made
separate peace.
The foreign minister said Germany
was seeking to protract the negotia-
tions with the Russians re-esta blish-
ing commercial relations in the mean
time believing that in this way the
Bolsheviki might. be checknated lat
err Referring to the terms which the
central powers offered to the Rus
slams, as published today, he said:
Will Discuss Direct Offer.
Germany is trying to involve us in
her Maximalist negotiations. After
suffering as we have, we cannot ac-
cept peace based on the status quo.
BY agreement with our allies we are
ready to discuss direct propositions
regarding peace, but this is indirect.
Russia can treat for a separate
peace with our enemies or not. In
either case the war for will con-
tinue. An ally has failed US, an ally
who in preceding years carried off
great victories. 1t is a great success
for enemies. but another ally has
come; from the other end of the world
a democracy has risen against Ger
manys appetite for conquest.
"At the conference in Paris a pro-
gram was drawn up and in conse-
Of he r,f
the allies will make itself felt, even to
Macedonia. Germany and her allies
have undertaken the impossible task
of conquering the world. The world
will conquer them.
Quotes Roosevelt.
I'm this war France will have
played a great role, for, as Roosevelt
has said. she will have saved human
ity."
NJ Pichon declared that the secret
treaties published by the Bolsheviki
had not compromised France. He said
the German diplomats who were pre-
tending to show indignation were the
very men who sought to negotiate a
secret treaty with the old regime in
Russia; who attempted to draw Mex
leo into war against the United States
and who organized plots in Argentina.
After referring to the German dec
laration that Alsace and Lorraine
would never be surrendered NJ
Pichon said:
Alsace Il World Question.
The question of Alsace-Lorraine
does not affect France alone. 1t is
world question. 1t is not a territ orial
problem, but a moral problem. On its
solution depends whether or not the
world shall have a durable peace"
This statement was greeted with ap-
Plause. The occupation of Jerusa-
lem, NJ. Pichon said, was victory for
the civilized world. He AIDED that the
city would be given an international
statuS
Indorse Wilson's View.
London, Dec. Reimbursement of
President Wilson's war aims and ur-
gent pleas that Britain make clear to
the world even more emphatically
than heretofore that she is not fight
ing a war of conquest was the mes
sage delivered to Britain's trades
union and labor congress today by the
laborite leader, Arthur Henderson.
The convention late this afternoon
adopted practically unanimously the
laborite war aims which in effect
pledge adherence to the principles an
. noUnced by President Wilson
The session was specifically called
to discuss war aims. Henderson
moved adoption of President Wilson'S
outline of war aims in full.
THE war" he declared, becomes
a struggle of cid and new systems of
government Secret diplomacy and
compulsory military service should be
/ rendered unnecessary