Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-03
Britain Near Crisis
on Peace Question


the restoration Of Alsace-Lorralne, as
British statesmen have done earlier In the
| war. he merely stated that Britain would
support France II France made such a
claim.
In the badly muddled peace situation the
weekly publication. New Europe, injected n
new sidelight, alleging that international
hnanclers are now working for an early
peace to prevent the spread OF socialism
and revolution. The New Europe, which
has often been In the possession Of very
accurate information regarding interna-
tional politics. declared further that the
Roman Catholic Church Is interested in
the early peace movement.
we learn from an unimpeac chable source
that a secret conference of international
financiers which recently took place in
Switzerland was inspired by somewhat
different motives from those which were
ascribed to II at the time" said New
Europe. Acting purely in the interests Of
capital, II aimed. above ALL at an imme-
diate peace TO arrest the growth of Inter-
national Socialism and the rising tide of
revolution throughout Europe. The gather
ing sought to forestall the holding of the
Stockholm Socialist conference by a direct
arrangement between the beligerents In
which national claims would be entirely
subordinated to Considerations Of world
wide finance"
While the British Government unaues-
tionably will face bitter attacks from a por-
tlOn OF tne press ana "a large element In
Parliament unless II goes squarely on record
against the Stockholm conference Of Social
lists. there were indications today that the
conference is winning favor. The West
minister Gazette. for instance, points out
that while Germany takes every opportunity
to open channels OF communication with
unofficial opinion on peace In enemy coun-
tries, the British Government closes its
doors to all such channels of communication
In this manner, argues the Gazette, the
Government loses opportunities to counter
act nsdious German propaganda.
The British Labortes wha now favor
sending representatives IT, the Stockholm
conference. are encouraged by reports they
have received from the Russian Socialists.
The Russians believe that the German So
calists really have the upper hand and are
in position to overthrow Prussan militarism
and force the democratization of Germany
whenever the Allies Indicate a willingness
to make peace Immediately after that is
done.
British labor leaders, while accepting this
theory with many grains of salt. feel that
they should at least grant the Russian
Socialists the opportunity to expound their
opinions.
PARIS, Aug. 8.
Two designations from the Ribot Ministry
were reported up to today-those Of Minis.
ter OF Marine Lacaze and Minister Of Block- |
ade Cochin. They followed new vote in
the Chamber OF Deputies approximatins n |
of confidence in Ribot, reafflrm- |
ing Frances peace aims. The vote was 395
to 20. The exact reasons for the Lacaze |
and Cochin Withdrawals were not made |
clear, but are presumably due to criticisms |
against the naval or submarine policies of |
those Ministers
ROME, Aug. 3.
Socialist organs favoring an early ending |
OF the war give mild approval, but other |
Italian newspapers vigorously attack For
eign Secretary Balfour's statement of peace |
aims in the British House of Commons. |
The majority of the papers are angry be- |
cause the British Foreign Secretary made |
no reference at all to Italy's claim regarding |
Trentino and Trieste. |