Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-07-27


Ramsay Macdonald, Socialist and la
Dor member. defeated II by vote Of
14s to 10. The announcement of the
figures was received with some cheers
ard much laughter.
Little Interest in Peace
The smallness OF the numbers in
the House when division was taken
was taken al an indication of the lit
tie interest shown by Parliament in
any hope Of useful peace movement
at the present juncturc, and the con-
yfction was voiced in an important
statement by Herbert H. Asquith, the
former premier. that nothing was to
be hoped from the present temper Of
the German Reichstag and people.
Former Premier Asquith said that
the previous speakers attached more
importance to the Reichstag resolution
than IL really deserved. They seem
ed TO have forgotten the circumstan-
ces under which it was passed. After
an obscure struggle, in which for
time II seemed as If the advocates of
q relatively moderate policy would get
their way. the military chiefs appear
ed on the scene and secured the dis
r!issal Of the imperial chancellor. in
whom the Emperor only few days
before had expressed his unbounded
and undn'rished confidence.
Subject to Condition
Peace. said Mr.. Asquith. had be-
come the supreme interest of mankind
but subject to an all important con-
cition. nar,alv that II Is 4 pence which
does not defeat the purpose for which
the great naticcs entered upon and
have continued the var and that it
does not turn TO waste the immeasur-
able loss and suffering which they had
ehare1 and are sharing in common.
He welcomed the news that a con-
ference would be held early in autumn
on the invitation Of the Russian gov
crnment. Nothing but good could
come Of a plain tatement Of the
Allies aims in good cause.
Allies Fighting for Freedom
The Allies" said the former pre-
mier. ARE fghing for nothing but
freedom and nothing short Of freedom.
That is the policy Of this great and un-
precedented aggregation of free peo-
pies
Earnestly as we desire peace, no
peace is worth having which restores
under some thin disguise, the preca
rious status quo ante bellum and left
countries like Belgium Serbia and
Greece at the mercy of dynastic in
trigue or the meance of military CO.
ercion. It would be premature and fu
tile 10 grapple in detail with the
geographical problems eventually to
be solved.
Interests Of the Peoples
TIE principle clearly agreed to by
every one of the allies is that in any
rearrangement made the governing
principle ought to be the interests and
the wishes Of the populations affected
But Is that principle acceptable to the
Central Powers? Is Germany prepared
not only to evacuate Belgium, but to
make reparation for the colossal mis-
chief which accompanied her occupa-
ton and practical enslavement of a
large portion Of the Belgian people :?
Is she prepared not only to do that
out TO restore to Belgium, not pre-
tence but absolute independence
What Will Germany Do?
Il should like to know the German
answer to these questions. l find no
formulae Of the Reichstag. I have no
oesire to say that peace is impossible,
but / cannot see, from what has re-
Gently occurred in Berlin. any real ap-
proximation of practicable end to
the aims and objects of the Allies"
Mr.. Asauith thought that the Ger
man people was the greatest obstacle
to peace, but said that was a matter
Tor the German people temselves. SO
far as the allies were concerned, the
best hopes of peace. he said was a
frank and open statement of both by
way OF avowal and disavowal of the
objects for which they were fighting
and rs means to that end he well
coined the fullest use Of all opportu-
mites for an interchange Of views be-
tween representatives of the great u.-
rnocractcs. II could not be too lea rly
stated that this was a matter for the
Peoples, rather than the governments
Once that is realized py the democ-
rac.es of the world. continued the
former premier. we shall he within
fleasurabie sight of an honorable and
,Ert.ng peace. Meanwhile we shall not
lie helping the advent Of peace if we
give the impression that there is any
falteri.C IN our determination or doubt
in Cur ability to Gerry on the burden.
We look up with clear conscience until
our ends are achieved"
George James Nardle, chairman of
the Labor party in the House. speaking
in behalf Of his party, frankly agreed
With Mr.. Asquith's remarks and said
that ne was unable to support the res
olution. The Reichstag did not repre-
sent the German people. and nego-
tistions could only be with the Ger
man government, therefore an inter-
national Socialist conference would be
useless.
Philip Snowden. Socialist, said the
debate disclosed that the British gov
ernment more than any other belliger-
ent was standing in the way Of early
settlement. He protested against more
blood being shed to restore Alsace and
Lorraine to France.