Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-30
Marquis of LansdoWne Pro-
vokes Turmoil by Demanding
War Aims Revision.
WOULD OBTAIN PEACE
BEFORE WORLD is RUINED
Declares Annihilation of Germany as
Great Power Is Not
Desired.
he Is BITTERLY ASSAILED
Great Mischief VIII Be Done and
Enemy Comforted by Letter, Ac-
cording to Press Beliefs.

/
est impetus to renewal of the heated
discussions OF the rival schools on the
war policy of the allies was provoked
from a most unexpected quarter by the
publication of long letter from the
Marquis of Lansdowne, strongly plead
ing for a revision of the allies war aims
and an attempt to secure peace before
"the prolongation of the war leads to
the ruin of the civilized world"
The Marquis of Lansdowne is a typi-
cal representative of the old tory party.
He was a member Of Asquith's coalition
administration and was secretary for
foreign affairs in Lord Salisbury's and
Mr.. Balfour's ministries He was Vice
roy of India and Governor General of
Canada He was the last public man
to be suspected of pacifst tendencies.
Backs Mr. Wilson's Policy.
His letter gives formal adhesion to
President Wilson's policy of a league
Of nations and he asks: What will be
the value Of the blessings of peace to
nations SO exhausted that they can
scarcely stretch forth a hand to zrasp
themg z.,s.ss...
Lord Lansdowne contends that an i'm
me49e sttmnius would probably be
. ns nsass party e ee,%any ina m Z
Epu1 4N6sfi6t desired; Second. tbsf -
c 90 not seek to impose ppon the German
their choice: third. that, except az e. 4 Il.
eitimAte war measure. we do not desire
70 deny to Germany her place among
the great commercial countries; fourth
tnat We are prepared. after the war, in
concert with the other powers, to ex-
anime the International problems con-
nected with the freedom of the seas.
NTH. that we are prepared to enter into
an International pact under which am
PIE opportunities would be afforded for
the settlement of international dis
putes by peaceful means"
Bitter Controversy Expected.
Transformers long and intimate con-
nection with foreign affairs and diplo-
macy lends unusual authority to such
pronouncement at the moment Of the
meeting of the interaIlied conferences at
Paris and because of Clemencean.s re-
cent declaration against a leasue NJ na-
tons including Germany, and already
there are indications Of embittered CON.
troversy over it.
1t is authoritatively announced that
the government had no previous knowI-
edge of the letter, and the stronesst
supporters OF the government lin tho
evening press suggest that the letter
is very unwelcome to the government
Largely Denounced by Press.
The Lansdowne letter giving peaca
suggestions holds first place in the edi-
tor1al columns of the London morning
newspapers, but with the exception ~
the radical Daily News, which approves
1t, and the moderate Daily Teierranh
which tndorses it in part it Is de,
nounced.
Lord Lansdownes great renu+.t,o,
and past services to the country are
recognized by the hostile critics. who
however, fear that these add to the mis-
chief which they believe the letter will
cause by misleading American and other
foreign opinion into the belief that the
views expressed represent an important
section of the nation. Such belief. thev
declare. would utterly be mistaken. and
some OF them insist that Lord Lans-
downe is speaking solely for himself
while others assert that he has placed
the prestige of great name at the
service of the pacifists.
lnsistence is general that he could
no. nave CHOSEN a worse time to launch
the letter than when Germany is dick
ering peace with the Leninites. the
allied conference meeting in Paris and
enemy agents trying to induce the
Italian army to abandon the fight.
Sees Heartening of Enemy.
Appeals to the American ideals cor.
tanned in the speeches Of President
Wilson occur in virtually all the edi-
torials. The Daily News draws en-
| coura cement from the Presidents
words. while the Times. an opponent
of Lord Lansdowne, which saws IN had
| been offered and refused to print the
letter because it did not believe n re-
fected any responsible phase Of British
| opinion. fears that 1T will have a de-
plorable effect abroad. The Times De.
Continued on. Second Page)