Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-28

London, Dec. 2S.-Premier Lloyd
Georges recent utterances on war
aims in the House of Commons is
being widely quoted, and has per-
haps been more extensively read
during the past day or two than
when first given, at Christmas time.
Lloyd George points out the GER
tain dangers ahead of the allies, but
a note of high optimism pervadeS the
address. lie says:
Trying Months just Ahead
Il should like to say a word on
future prospects. There is no doubt
that the next few months will be the
most trying of the war, for the SIM
pie reason that one great power has
practically gone out of the war ana
another great power is not yet fully
in. Therefore, the burden upon us
will be very considerable.
But we must not imagine the en-
emy has not got his difficulties. We
had a curious proof of this the other
day when certain facts were given
to us as to the deterioration of the
physical quality of German workmen
as a result of the blockade by our
Navy. Whatever may be the diff
culties of the British workman, they
are not comparable to those that
have to be endured by the German
workman. They have so deteriorat-
ed that the output per man has gone
down by something like 33 per cent,
as compared with the first year of
the war.
What are the prospects in front
of him and in front of us? He is eX-
hausting his resources of man-pow-
er. France has been in the war
from the start and there is no doubt
that her losses have been very Sc
we're. In spite of the reverse which
Italy has endured her losses are not
comparable to the losses OF Austria
and in spite of the heavy casualties
inflicted upon ourselves the perlna-
nent burden of the losses OF the Brlt-
ish army is not more than one-tourth
or one-fifth of the permanent losses
endured by Germany.
IF you take the reserves OF man
power of the nations which are in
alliance against Germany, (and here
( am not considering Japan, India, or
China. but taking Great Britain
France, Italy, and the United States
the manpower reserves of those
countries are more than twice those
of Germany and Austria and the
countries in alliance with them. That
means time and courage, and, given
time and courage, that means pow
er, and the enemy must know it.
Those are facts that must be borne
in mind when we are temporarily de-
pressed by war conditions.
The Vital War Aims
Yesterday there was a very inter
esting discussion in this House OIL
war aims, and there was a good dea
of criticism of ministerial utterances
which the honorable members para
phrased and emphasized. What was
the good of doing that? Were tbs
honorable gentlemen trying to fine
out what our war aims are or die
they merely wish to criticise the
ministers? ! was told that l haC
not placed myself in line with Presi'
dent Wilson.
in my war aims speech at Glas
gov l emphasized the points which
| thought should be kept in the fore,
front of our war aims. First was the
demand for complete restoration o.
national territory conquered by Ger
many and complete reparation fol
damage done. Does any one diffc'
from that?
"Since Russia has entered into Sc
parate negotiations she, of course
must alone be responsible for tn,
terms in respect of her own territor
les. | am speaking now of Belgium
Rumania, Serbia and other countries
which have not entered into separate
negotiations. OF course, the fac
that Russia entered into separate
negotiations disposes of all question!
about Constantinople.
My second point had reference 4
/ Mesopotamia and the German colon
les. Since then we have conquered
the most important part of Palestine
and the whole of East Africa.
Il said at Glasgow that what wa
to happen in Mesopotamia must b'
left to the peace congress when I
met, and then ! went on to say tha
whatever happened it would not b,
restored to the blasting tyranny o
/ the Turks. The same thing apple
| to Armenia.
| Then there is the question of III,
| German Colonies. That, said, was
matter that could safely be left to
| great international peace congress
which would, no doubt, have regart
! to the wishes of the native races.
! don't think that is challenged by an.
| honorable gentleman. Does any on
[ say that we ought to compel thes
| people to place themselves again un
| The future of these colonies shoul,
be settled upon the principle of re