The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-07-27
'COMMONSKILLS
PEACE ANSWER
TO RETCHSTAG
Resolution Voted Down by
148 to 19-Cheers Greet
the Result.
ASQUITH HITS GERMANS
"We Must Achieve Objects"
He Says-Bonar Law Is
Pessimistic.
ASQUITH HITS GERMANS

LONDON, July 2s.-The House of Com
mons after employing the whole eve
ming session in discussion Of a peace
resolution moved by James Ramsay
Macdonald. Socialist and labor member
defeated II by a vote Of 14s to 10. The
announcement OF the figures was re-
ceived with some cheers and much laugh
ter.
The smallness of the numbers in the
House when division was taken is an in
dication of the little. interest shown by
Parliament in any hope OF a useful
peace movement at the present juncture
and the conviction was voiced in an
important statement by Herbert H. AS
| Quith, the former Premier. that nothing
was to be hoped from the present temper
| OF the German Reichstag and people.
Mr.. Macdonald. as shown by the vote,
FOUND very few supporters George
James Wardle. in behalf OF the Labor
party. declined to have anything to do
with this pacihst resolution.
The speech of Andrew Bonar Law, the
Government leader in the House, dealt
largely with the Russian crisis. He said
gering under the blow, but that the re-
| sources of the Allies were sufficient to
make II absolutely certain that unless
| their hearts failed them they must Sc
cure the results for which they entered
the war.
"Qrestion of staying Power"
The struggle had reached a point
where 1t was a question of staying
4 l.. ~
lutte confidence in the Allies. He was
equally certain that IL anything could
delay peace It would be any sign of fall
terinR.
Philip Snowden, Socialist. said the de-
bate disclosed that the British Govern
ment more than any other belligerent
was standing in the way OF an early set
uement He protested against more
blood being shed to restore Alsace-Lor-
| raine to France. .
The resolution demanded that the Gov
ernment, in conjunctlon-Nith Its allies,
make new statement concerning its
| peace terms. based upon the recent
Reichstag resolution.
The pacifist resolution. which started
the storm. recited that the Reichstag
| resolution expressed the princtples for
which Britain had stood throughout the
war, and declared the Allies should ac-
cept Russia's proposal that the forth
coming conference on war aims should
comprise representatives OF the people
ana not solely spokesmen for the Gov
! ernments.
Mr.. Asquith held up the German offer
as target He said that too much i'm
portance was attached to It, and that
the Allies wanted no peace that would
defeat the purpose for which they entered
the war.
"Peace Move Growing"
Mr.. Macdonald agreed that his resolu-
tion expressed the opinion of only a
small minority, but he contended that
this minority was ever growing Stock
holm had borne It's fruit, the allied con-
ference would bear more, and the inter-
national conference would bear still
more. Such a conference would find out
that the time had come for an active
enort for peace and this effort would
bring about a peace that would not be
disturbed by preparations for war.
Charles p, Trevelyan. who seconded
the resolution. agreed in condemning the
uncertainty In the speech of the German
| Chancellor. DR.. Michaelis and said they
were all agreed that peace awaited the
restoration OF Belgium and France,
without any economic or other condi-
tions.
He also doubted whether there could
be peace until all the Governments
clearly and expressly repudiated the
Idea Of conquest or annexations. While
| II might be the duty OF the Government
to reply to the German Chancellor, Il
was the duty OF the House of Commons
to reply to the Reichstag resolution.
"Must Accomplish Aims"
! Mr.. Asquith thought the previous
| speakers attached more Importance to
| the Reichstag resolution than IL really
deserved. They seemed to have forgot
ten the circumstances under which II
! was passed. After an obscure struggle
/ in Berlin, In which for a time II seemed
! as Il the advocates OF a relatively mod
crate policy would get their way. the
military .chiefs appeared on the scene
and secured the dismissal OF the I'm
perial Chancellor, in whom the Emperor
only a few days before had expressed
his unbounded confidence.
Peace, said Mr.. Asquith. had become
| the supreme interest of mankind, but
subject to an all important condition,
namely. that 1t is a peace which does
not defeat the purpose for which the
great nations entered upoh and have
continued the war and that II does not
turn TO waste the impeasurable loss and
| suffering which they had shared and
are sharing In common.
/ He welcomed the news that a con-
! ference would be held on the invitation
| of the Russian Government. Nothing
but good could come of a plain restate-
ment of the Allies aims In a good cause.
! Two new facts OF the present year
| FIRST. that Russia had ceased forever to
be autocratic. and. second, the appear
ance. with all her moral, and material
! forces. of the United States In the
struggle, had direct and practical
bearing upon the opinion OF the world
as to the sincerity OF the Allies aims.
eight for Freedom"
! They mean" continued the former
| Premier. that the allied nations now
include an overwhelming majority OF the
/ free peoples of the world. The Allies
are hEhting for nothing but freedom and
nothing short OF freedom. That Is the
policy OF this great and unprecedented
aggregation of free peoples.
Earnestly as we desire peace. no
peace Is worth having which would
leave countries like Belgium Serbia and
Greece at the mercy OF dynastic intrigue
! or under the menace OF military
! coercion. II would be premature and
, futile to grapple in detail with the
cORtiHned on Third Page.