Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-28
Essential to Freedom and
Peace of Mankind, He De-
clares-Is a Reply to Foe.
FRANCE WILL NOT QUIT
ON A STATUS QUO BASIS
Foreign Minister Pichon Declares
War Will Go on Even if
Russia Steps Out.
By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, December 28.-
Achievement of the purposes for
which the allies are fighting is es-
sential to the future freedom and
peace of mankind" said Premier
Lloyd George in a letter which he
sent today to the labor congress.
The prenier's statement is re-
garded as the British reply to the
German peace offer.
Premier Lloyd George said that
a statement on war aims could
only be made in agreement with
Great Britain's allies. The ques-
tion of issuing fresh joint decla-
ration, he added, was being con-
stantly kept in view by the en-
tente allied governments.
Voices Attitude of France.
BY the Associated Press.
PARIS, Thursday, December 81
France will not accept peace based on
conditions before the war, Foreign Min
lister Pichon declared in replying in
the chamber of deputies today to the
peace terms of the central powers out
lined to Russia. He asserted that Ger
many was endeavoring to involve
France in its negotiations with the
bolsheviki, but that the war would go
on whether or not Russia made sep
arate peace.
The foreign minister said Germany
was seeking to protract the negotia-
tions with the Russians, re-establish-
Ing commercial relations in the mean
time, believing that In this way the
Tries to Involve France.
Referring to the terms which the
central poewrs offered to the Russians
as published today. he said:
Germany is trying to involve US in
her maximalist negotiations. After
suffering as we have, we cannot accept
peace based on the status quo. By
agreement with our allies we are ready
to discuss direct propositions regarding
peace. but this is indirect.
Russia can treat for a separate peace
with our enemies or not In either case
the war for us will continue. An ally
has failed US, an ally who In preceding
years carried off great victories. 1t is
another ally has come; from the other
end of the world democracy has risen
against Germany's appetite for con-
quest
World Will Conquer. He Says.
"At the conference in Paris program
was drawn up and in consequence
unity of action on the part of the allies
wifi make itself felt. even to Mace
donia- Germany and her allies have
undertaken the impossible task of con-
quering the world. The world will con-
Quer them.
.'In this war France will have played
a great role, for, as Roosevelt has said,
she will have saved humanity"
II. Pichon declared that the secret
treaties published by the bolsheviki had
not compromised France. He said the Ger
show indignation were the very men who
sought to negotiate a secret treaty with
the old regime in Russia: who ATTEMPTED
70 draw Mexico into war against the
United States, and organized plots in Ar
gentina-
Alsace-Iorraine Question.
After referring to the German deciara
tion that Alsace and Lorraine would
never be surrendered. NJ Pichon said:
'l'he question of Alsace- Lorraine does
net affect France alone. II is world
.-oestjon- II is not a territorial problem
htst a moral problem. On its solution, de-
pends whether or not the world shall have
a durable peace"
This statement was greeted with ap-
plause.
The occupation Of Jerusalem. NJ Pjchon
said, was victory for The civilized world
lie added that the city would be given a n
international status.