The sun., 1917-01-26

OTTAWA, Jan. 25.--"I regard this
council as marking the beginning of
new epoch in the history Of the
empire" David Lloyd George is quoted
as saying in an interview In London,
made public here tonight, speaking
Of the imperial war council soon to
be held in London. At this council
representatives OF all the overseas
dominions of the British Empire win
have voice In deciding such impor-
tant questions as peace conditions, the
fate of the German colonies: in fact,
the whole war policy of the British
Empire.
Mr. Lloyd George gave the follow
ing interview to the London CORE
spondent OF the Australian United
Cable Service. in which he makes
plain the wide scope and high impor-
tance of this gathering, the first of its
kind in the history OF the English race.
Mr., Lloyd George said:
az 90 not wish To interfere in any
way with the affairs OF a great self
governing dominion, but We took the
step of urgently inviting the dominions'
Premlers to lead IN the war council
despite the facl mat 1t might cause
much inconvenience locally, because We
desired their advice and assistance In
coming to decisions ubout the conduct
Of the war and The negotiations OF
peace,
MARKS New Epoch.
Australia knows that | am no jlngo,
NV record contains 10 tourneyingS into
famboyant Imperialism. yet ] regard
this council as marking the beginning
OF new epoch in the history or the
emplre The war has changed us.
heaven knows. Il has taught us more
than We yet understand: 1t has opened
A new age for US, and We want to 60
into that age together with our fellows
overseas. Just ~ We have come through
the darkness together and shed our
blood and treasure tog"th'r
Tho empire war council will deal
; with all general questions affecting the
war The Prime Ministers or their rep
resentatveS will he temporary members
of the War cabinet und we propose 10
/ arrange that all matters OF first rate I'M
! portanCe should be considered at se.
| res of spccial meetings Nothing affect
ing the domnions. the conduct OF the
war or negotiations for peace VIII be eA-
cuded from it's purNIew.
There Will, oi course, be domestic
questions which each part of the em-
p!re mus, settle for Itself, questions such
AS recruiting in the United kingdom or
home legislation, Such domestic mat
-. s.t,1N a i.1f A.
propose that everything else should be,
so to SPEAK. Oh the table
! 'Sill the discussion include such mat
t,rs as the fate OF the German colonles"'
was asked
Colonies obvious Question.
THAT is one obvious question: the
Premier repllcd, but there are many
questions OF equal moment. All the DIFF
ferent problems connected with making
mace. as was stated in the Govern
nents invitation, will be thresned out
The war policy Of the empire VIII bt
clearly defined and Of great Importance
is what | may cal! the preparation for
neaco That will involve not only de-
mobilization but such after the wsr
questions as the miGrat on Of our peo-
plr to other parts of the empire, the
settlement of soldiers on til" Land. COM
merco and industry
"you have not hesi2ted Ia depar,
from precedent
I'VE certainly have not answered
the Premier. but in these days We can
not hesitate because we are breaking
precedents. The empire has thrown itsel
heart ana soul into the war and w
would be failing ia ouY duties IL W.
did not take every possible step TO sec
that us leaders get together from tim,
TO time.
"You do not suppose that we thini
that the overseas nations can raise anG
pIace IN the field armies containing Al
enormous proportion OF their best man
hood and not want to have a say. anc
real say. in determining the use L
which they are to he pnt? That seem
to us an impossible and undemocrati'
proposition. That Is why one OF the f,rs
a