New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-05
British Liberals Demand
Allies Restate War Aims
Newspapers Attack Government in What Prom
ises To Be Peace Ofensive-ltalian Reverse
Fans Flame-Drive to Force Cabinets Hand lo
Be Made in Commons

year. but into 1919 and possibly 1920
and its termination will not depend on
any Of the European Allies, but upon
the force American is able TO bring TO
bear
I'VE acknowledge cordially the great
effort America is making, and doubt
neither her whole-hearted resolution
nor her power. But for Europe and
this country the outlook, If the war is
TO run two years more, is devastating.
II cannot be cured and must be en-
dured. and Germany had best under
stand that, rather than yield on essen
tials, we will 60 through to the end.
But we, on our side, should make sure
that il is only on the essentials that
We are standing and that no irrelevant
issue postpones the day Of relief.
The League of Nations
"What are our essentials? Ambas-
sedor Page, speaking for America, puts
in the first place league of nations.
This object is accepted by our states
men, but, if we except General SHUTS
and Lord Grey, it does not figure large
ly in their utterances. Yet II Is the
one healing principle the conflict has
engendered, 1t is not repealed by Ger
many; it is welcomed by Austria.
"If accepted in sincerity, il bears
with it the overthrow Of militarism,
and thereby triumph for the main
thing for which we have fought. II
bears with it also a consequence that
the war cannot be ended, as other wars
have been ended, by forced cessions of
territory, but that territorial changes
must be examined and haally sane
toned by the nations assembled IN
council. Il means that such changes
must not be conceived in terms of gain
or loss for the victors or vanquished,
but in terms of the permanent tran
guilty Of Europe, Asia and Africa.
"The right note was struck by Lloyd
George when he spoke of the terri
tories we had occupied and declared
that, while claiming none of these by
right of conquest, we would hold them
for the disposal Of the peace confer
ence. 70 do with them as might then
and there be determined
"Will Germany do the same with the
territories held by her and in dispute?
IL so, the ground is open for peace dis
cUssions. Lloyd George might do well
70 repeat and reinforce his declaration,
challenging the German government
which, after all, has hungry people TO
face-to make a similar submission Of
Judgment TO the world.
Honorable Peace May BE Possible
LET us not too hastily assume that
Germany would refuse. II is by no
means certain that an honorable peace
is beyond attainment without two more
years of bloOdshed.
These. in the main, are the argu-
ments Of what might be called the
Left in England. namely, that the
discussion of war aims is essential 90
prevent two more years of war, that
the time is ripe for such discussion
and that the present government has
not fulfilled its duty when it fails to
make such a declaration.
In an interview with The Tribune
Lord Robert Cecil gave the govern
ment's point of view.
1T seems TO me-" he said, Eve should
win the VIZ before We start discussing
what we want to get out of il. We
have already stated our aims more than
once. notably in the instance of our
reply TO President Wilson, Further
more, your President has stated them
for us. IF we now demand more than
we can get il will mean prolonging the
war; if we demand less than We can
get il will mean the loss Of something
that might have been gained. Even the
pacifsts should sec the logic of this
This summarizes the governr' ents
main argument against "a declaration
Of aims at this time, and, coupled with
the Premier's declaration, 81 have
scanned the horizon closely, and can
not see possible terms Of peace in
sight" it shows that there is no pos
sibility Of the desired discussion of
war aims taking place in the near
future.
Drive to Force Governments Hand
Meanwhile an actual drive to force
the governments hand in the matter
will be made in the House of Commons
on Tuesday. when the consolidated
fund bill comes up for a second read
ing. An amendment will be moved
declaring roughly that mo obstacle
should be thrown in the way Of dis
cussion of peace by negotiation. en-
bracing the fundamental principles OF
a league of nations, the restoration OF
territory and agreements tending 10
prevent future wars" -,
This amendment, when moved. Will
lead 20 an interesting DEBATE III NHlSH
the opponents of the government: are
certain to strike home with some peril
nent truths which they have been saw
ing up for just such an occasion.
But il is doomed TO failure and Ger
tain defeat, for the reason that. II II
is passed, il would mean holding up
the entire bill, which must be passed
at the present time. Therefore. since
il will be a question Of funds against
peace. the funds. being the more rress
ing need Of the hour, Will carry the
day. Even those really supporting the
amendment will vote against it for this
reason. But while the debate lasts u
is certain TO produce some OF the hot
test attacks against the present gov
eminent that have yet been Launched.