New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-05
By Frank Getty

LONDON. Nov. 4.-One Of the pre-
dominant questions in England to-day,
which has been smouldering many
months, and which the Italian reverse
has served TO kindle into fame, is
whether the Allies should redefne
their war aims.
When Lloyd George made his Albert
Hall speech, it was considered that he
had made a definite promise that such
policy would be the subject Of con-
sultaton when he said the forthcom-
ing Allied conference was TO be "a
military and political conference" at
tended by all Of the greatest and most
distinguished statesmen" with power
to determine not only the course but
the ultimate issue" of the war.
Last week Bonar Law took back the
whole promise-if, indeed, Lloyd
George intended it as q promise-by
declaring that the conference was to
consider mot the aims Of the war, but
only its prosecution.
IL is clear the government at present
does not desire a discussion Of war
aims. This was established by Bonar
Laws statement in Parliament, and by
the interviews I have had with Lord
Robert Cecil, another mouthplece OF
the government.
Demand for Statement Is Growing
On the other hand. the RussiaTsdelc-
gates are coming 10 their first Allied
conference with the definite intention
OF forcing if possible, such a discus
sion. Moreover, there is growing
demand i'll this country for clear
statement Of the Allied war aims.
The two greatest Liberal organs in
ENGLAND, "The Manchester Guardian"
and "The Nation" to-day fired the
opening guns in what promises 10 de-
vclop into real peace offensive.
THE Allies are the guardians OF
their own conscience" says "The Ma
ton" in an article entitled "The Fail
ure Of the Government" "Have not
their armies and their people earned
the right TO know what they are called
upon 10 die for? Is that an immodest
request? We are witnessing the d.
version of the stream Of humanity
from its course in the air and the light
20 dark underground currents OF hate
and distinctions The need Of the world
is for men who perceive this mlsdlrec-
tion and seek to stay 1t.
1--WE cannot reckon Lloyd George as
Of this company. Among those now
concerned in the direction Of war poll
tics we perceive only four who vislbly
cherish such an aim and pursue 1t
Wilson. SHUTS. Brant.ng and Czernln.
But all the belligerent nations possess
reserves Of prudence. honesty and com
passion, on which they will increasing
~ draw as the spirit and aims Of impe-
rialism recede.
Predicts Change Is Coming
"Such A ministry could be formed in
britain as elsewhere. and everything In
the country that is serious, upright and
truly patriotic would breathe the freer
for il. There is no need to go Tar
abroad 70 seek such a Cabinet, truly
based on the constitution and Parlia-
ment. on the traditional politics and on
the now democracy of Britain,
"That change Is coming. Never IN
history has England been governed by
such men and iu such a way as she Is
governed to-day, and unless her con-
science and intellect have gone TO sleep
she will. I'm a not far distant hour,
arouse herself to dismiss them
"The Manchester Guardian goes
deeper into the same question. It's edl-
torial to-day declares:
"Our craftsmanship never in this war
has made full use Of its moral advan-
tages. To be lighting for the Liberty
Of nations and tie overthrow or mil,
tarism is not only a great ideal, buI' II
properly used, ought to be a great Pc,
litical asset We have not succeeded
i'm using IL: on the contrary, II we
have los. the effective fighting iorce
of the Russian people, 1t Is IN no shail
measure due 20 the fact that we nave
let the Russian people believe that our
aims exceed the limits OF justice ana
necessity. -,....,.
from Germany before the late oueh is,.
il was largely because we c0nIlnueS
most superfuously to threaten her WIN
disruption. If the whispers ABOUT Al A.
sace-T .orraine have never sounded above
a heath II is in part because the mo-
r,en+ thew caught the ear voices were
raised which spoke senselessly about
the left bank Of the Rhine. 4
Wants Bluff Eliminated
oIf the Italian disaster leads us face
n face with realities. we shall be-
gin by cutting out talk Of this kind
talk more mischievOus at home ana faT
more dangerous in its effect abroad
than that Of any pacifst.
ave shall insist on q clearer ana
,,oser defnition Of our war aims, re-
onirinc our spokesman TO eliminate the
eIement Of bluff and agree upon an act
nal basis on which peace will be pos
sible Otherwise. the people cannot TOO
soon or too clearly understood that me IN.
war will not merely run into the next