The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-06-21
PEACEPLAN IN
COMMONS FAILS
Balf1ur Says Central Powers
Arc Now No More Sincere
Than Ever.
SECRET TREATIES UPHELD
British Foreign Secretary Sees
TputOnic Plot to Isolate
Some Of Allies.
SECRET TREATIES UPHELD

LONDON. June co--Philip Edward
Morrell. Liberal. representing small
pacif's. group in the House OF Commons.
started to-day. as his group does on
every possible occasion. a debate on the
oucs. ion OF peace by agreement by mov-
ing q resolution against secret treaties.
The motion vas rejected without
division
Mr.. Morrsil aatd that in June the
British casualties avera ged. seventy killed
every day. and that for the five months
from January 10 ~. beginning Of
Juno the British losses in killed alone
were 20 900. while the wounded and
missing numbered 100000.
Mr.. Ralfour. Secrc'ary for Foreign
Affairs. in reply said that Germany was
pursuing her aim OF universal DONNA
ton with persistent and elaborate care
and foresight and with ruthless. cold
blooded determination WHICH LEI, Napo-
comic tradition far behind.
,o.,uc-rn{ E...,y seen.
"Ts this a case where II sohe" his
torau would ever see the bass OF 4 pos
sible peace asked NJ. Balfrur "ls
there any evidence whatever that sug-
Rcstion like the Austrian Emperor's let
ter or any similar suggestion was made
with view to obtaining the sort OF
peace that carried with It some prospect
OF security for the future liberties OF the
world"
Contending that Belgium remained tho
greatest blow to German honor. the Sec.
reta-y asked whether Germany had evea
IN any document or speech openly or
plainly offered TO restore Belgium IN
absolute political and economic iude-
pendence. lie knew of no such ofrer.
lie denied that secret treaties were
an obstacle TO peace. These treaties
were made. he said. in circumstances
IN which he believed any Government
would lave acted simila~ly
referring to Russia. Mr.. Balfour said :
I'VE have the task before us OF doing
all We can to restore Russia 10 full ma
,lonal e~lt consciousness. Everybody
sympa athi1es with the difficulties in whicl,
that vast population finds itself. l do
not despair OF our being even now able
! 10 do something material 20 rcstor" eco
| romic and political unity aud nationa
| effort IA that great country
This was the very last time. said the
Secretary. that the Allies were likely "a
make proposals to the Central Powers
| or, 10 far as he was able 70 judge, that
the Central Powers were likely TO make
proposals to the Allies except for the one
purpose Of a peace offensive.
| What the Central Powers apparently
wanted to do was not to propose rea
| fnr
whole hut to offer some member of the
alliance terms seemingly extremely IA
| vorable.
| lie did not blame the Central Powers
for laying such a trap. but should blame
those who fell into the trap. and most oi
all l,e blamed his pacIhst critics. who
appeared to think it almost criminal no.
| to fall into the trap.
Hopes for League of Nations.
| We all desire peace continued Mr.
Balfour, but not peace which shall prov.
merely a truce. hope that the arrange
ments made by the peace conference
whenever 1. comes, will be supplemen ntet
, by a league Of nations to enforce peace
thus affording the only real security. W.
shall never get such a peace or deserve
| l.. II we listen to the counsels given Il
us by Mr.. Snowden.
we desire--we passionateIy desire -
an honorable peace. bat as time goes o.
we are more convinced that such "a peac
can only be attained by struggling Il
the end TO see that we do not leave II
power any nation such ds Germany Il
cause q repetition OF the evi unde
which tho whole civilized community o
nations. whether IN the old world or th'
new. IL NOW groanins.'