The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-12-05
lANSD0WNE TURNS PAC|FST.
OLD BRITISH STATESMAN ADVO.
CATES REVISION OF AL.
LIES pLAN.
oFch Letter Published by Marquis OF
Haiisdownc Who for Many Years
was One OF the Leading Statesmen
OF British Empire.

London, Nov. 29.-The strongest
impetus to renewal of the heated
discussions of the rival schools ON
the war policy of the allies was pro-
voked today from a most unexpected
quarter by the publication of a long
letter from the Marquis of Lans-
downe, strongly pleading for revision
OF the allies war aims and an at
tempt to secure peace before "the
prolongation of the war leads tn taa
ruin of the civilized world"
The Marquis OF Lansdowne is a.
typical representative of the old Tory
party. He was a member of As
qulth's coalition administration and
was secretary fo- foreign affairs I'm
Lord Salisburys md Mr.. Balfour's
MINISTRIES He is viceroy of India
and the governor general of Canada.
he was the last public man to be sus-
pected Of pacific tendencies.
His letter gives formal adhesion to
President Wilson's policy of league
of nations and he asked what woull
be the value of the blessings of peace
to nations SO exhausted that they can
scarcely stretch forth a hand to grasp
them ?"
Lord Lansdowne contends that an
immense stimulus would be given to
the peace party in Germany if it were
understood: First that the annihila-
ton OF Germany as great power was
not desired; second, that we do not
seek to impose upon the German peo-
pie form of government against
their choice; third, that, except as a
legitimate war measure, we do not de-
sire to deny to Germany her place
among the great commercial coun-
tries; fourth, that we are prepared af-
ter the war in concert with the other
powers, to examine the international
problems connected with the freedom
of the seas; that we are prepared 70
enter into an international pact i'm
which ample opportunities will be
given for the settlement of internat-
ional disputes by peaceful means.
Lansdowne's long and intimate
connection with foreign affairs and
diplomacy lends unusual authority to
such pronouncement at the mo-
ment of the meeting Of the inter-al-
lied conference at Paris and because
of Clemenceau's recent declaration
against league of nations including
Germany and already there are inds-
cations of embittered controversy ovee-
it.
1t is authoritatively announced that
the government had no previous
knowledge of the letter and the
strongest supporters of the govern
ment in the evening press suggests
that the letter is very unwelcome to
the government. Under the caption
Transformers Strange Letter" and tile
subhead, 'The policy of talking to the
tiger" The Evening News strongly de-
murs against Lansdowne's suggestions
on the ground that Germany's word
can not be trusted in any matter and
that an attempt to argue with her
would be a sheer waste of time.
On the other hand the Asquith
papers hail the letter as one of the
most remark lie documents that the
war has proc Lced. The Star greeting
the letter as The most formidable at
tack yet made on the Lloyd-Gieorgeian
Knockout blow policy"
Count Won -Iertling referred to the
fact that the Russian government had
sent from Tsa arskoe Selo a wireless
communication signed by Trotzky and
Lenine and addressed to the govern
ments and the peoples Of the belliger-
ent countries, proposing that negotia-
tions for truce and a general peace
be opened at an early date and said:
Il do not hesitate to declare that
in the proposals of the Russians gov
ernment, so fer as at present known,
debatable principles on which opening
Of negotiations may be based, may be
recognized and that / am ready to en-
ter into such SO soon as the Russian
government sends representatives
having full powers for this purpose.
[ hope and wish that these efforts will
soon take definite shape and bring Us
Jeace"