New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-01
1,50O Representatives
of Unionist Party
Disown Marquis
Views
Bonar Law Terms
Letter a Disaster"
Condemnatory Resolu
tions Adopted and
Cabled to Paris
Conference

LONDON, Nov 30.-The Marquis Of
Lansdowne's letter urging a compro-
mise with the enemy has me, with con-
demnation throughout Great Britain.
Although the marquis is Unionist
leader of long standing, a meeting of
prominent men of the party tonight
completely repudiated his stand. Chan
cellor of the Exchequer Andrew Bonsr
Law told the meeting Lansdowne's
suggestion of peace by negotiation
was disaster"
An authorized report concerning the
Unionist meeting of to-day says it was
attended By 1500 representatives Of
Cnionist bodies throughout che country,
and that resolutions were unanimously
carried deploring the publication of the
letter Declaring firm adherence to the
war aims of the Allies, as defined by
the Premier, Mr.. Bonar Law and Mr..
Asquith, i was decided that the resolu-
tions should be wired to the Premier
and Mr.. Balfour at Paris.
A scene of great enthusiasm ensued,
the delegates rising and singing the
National Anthem Mr. Bonar Law then
delivered speech, in which he admit
ted that he never had met any one
more patriotic or dsinterested than the
Marquis of Lansdowne. Nevertheless,
Mr. Bonar Law said:
al disagree absolutely not only with
the arguments, but with the whole tone
of the letter.
A National Misfortune
81 think it is nothing less than ma
tional misfortune that it should have
been published, now of all times. IL is
not that we do not desire peace. IL is
horrible to look forward TO a continu-
ance of the war, but it is a strange as
sumption that because the Germans de-
clare their readiness for a pact Of ma
tions and talk of disarmament that
peace therefore is possible.
Before the war our government did
not dare suggest disarmament TO Ger
many. They often went near il, but
the Germans regarded it almost as
casus belli. And before the war books
recommending disarmament were pro-
hibted in Germany, and believe they
ere prohibited to this day.
"You heard nothing OF this kind Of
thing in the first and second years Of
the war, when things were not going
we'll in Germany. II the conclusion Of
peace were conceivable to-day, il would
mean that the very men who, in my
judgment, committed the greatest
crimes in history, who plunged the
world into anguish and misery, would
be eft again in power with the same
machinery, ready 10 repeat the same
thing when the opportunity arose in
the future.
Insist on Our Rights Now
How can they be bound by a pact Of
nations? Nobody will pretend that they
VIII be bound because they signed a
treaty, and what forSe Is to bind them?
The whole world is against them to-
day, armed and org, nized in a way that
II Is not likely they will again be, and
If we cannot insist on our rights now,
how will VIC fight against them in new
conditions hereafter?
NO, gentlemen; it is horrible to
think of, but il is true. In my judg-
ment, We have got 70 show the German
made 10 realize that war does not pay,
that their military machine cannot get
the desired results. II is only by de-
cisive military results that the war can
be ended. Let the Germans realize that
we can go on longer than they, and the
change of feeling in Germany, Of which
we hear so much. will grow daily, and
will itself, perhapn, bring the results
we all long TO see"
Mr.. Bonar Law intimated that should
the Marquis of Lansdowne's letter
stimulate the pacifist movement TO the
point OF the government losing sup
port for needful war measures. there
would be only one alternative for the
government. He declared that a peace
on this basis would really be q defeat
for Great Britain.
Does any one really believe that
unity in the British Empire could con-
tlnue the same after such defeat?"
the Chancellor asked in conclusion.
The meeting was attended by Sir Ed
ward Carson, head of the War Aims
Committee; Walter Hume Long, Secre-
tary of State for the Colonies; Wis
count Chaplin and delegates from
every part OF the country.
Lord Robert Cecil, Minister of Block
ade, in his weekly talk with The Asso-
ciated Press, to-day declared emphati-
cally that Lord Lansdowne was not
speaking for any important body OF
opinion in England.
Letter Complete Surprise
"The most important thing 70 say in
regard to Lansdowne's letter" Lord
Robert said, "is that he spoke only for
himself Before writing II, he did not
consult or have any communication
with any member Of the government,
and the members or the government
read the letter in the newspapers with
as much surprise as anybody else.
1T does not represent our views, nor
has there been any change or modifica-
tion in the slightest degree in the war
policy OF this country. Our policy 10
still what it always has been, and as
described by the authorized spokesmen
Of the country, namely, Premier Lloyd
George, Asquith. Bonar Law and Bal
four. IL has been put in different words
by them, but perhaps is best summed