The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-05
BRITAIN'S ANSWER
TO A r
Continued from page H.


CONTINUED from page H.
MES to be placed under an admins
tration acceptable to themselves for
the purpose OF preventing explo1ta-
ton for the benefit Of European cap1-
talists and of European governments.
1--WE will stand by the French de-
m%ocracy to the DEATH" Lloyd-George
declared.
I'VE demand reconsideration Of the
great wrong OF 1871.
1T is difficult to speak OF Russia
without suspension of Judgment.
Russia can only be saved by her own
people.
A independent Poland, compris-
ing all the genuinely Polish elements
is absolutely necessary to the sta
bility of western Europe.
''The Dardanelles should be neu-
tralized and internationalized.
Arabia, Armenia, Mesopotamia,
Syria and Palestine are entitled to
recognition and separate national
conditions. What form each shall
take it is not necessary to discuss
here.
"The governing conditions in
Africa is that the inhabitants shall
be placed under an administration
acceptable to themselves-for the
purpose of preventing their exploita-
ton for the benefit OF European CAPT
talists and of European govern
ments."
The Welsh statesman bitterly as
sailed the German TERMS, az an
nounced through Count Czernin at
Brest-Litovsk. He was particularly
vehement in his denunciation of the
false pronunciamento of self deter
mination' of all people as proclaim
ed therein.
He pointed out that Belgium's
future freedom was dependent upon
the allies nations permitting Turkey
to decide the fate of the Arabs, the
Armenians and the Syrians and like
wise upon restoration to Germany Of
her African colonies.
Under such conditions, Lloyd
George maintained "all principles of
self determination here vanish in
thin air."
The allied spokesman declared the
forces of democracy fought ''for
more than merely to alter or to de-
stroy the imperial constitution of
Germany"
He pointed out in terse phrases
the yawning omissions from Ger
Minis statement of var aims as illus
trative of Germany's duplicity in her
terms.
The prime minister's speech was to
an audience representative of Brit
aims foremost liberals-trades union
lists and members OF the labor party.
He was accorded a great reception.
1t was generally regarded that the
speech was the most important, per-
haps, that the prime minister had
yet delivered-not alone in it's COM
plete answer to the German peace
p%roffers, but because of today's situa-
ton in Europe.
Russia is now ION the fence" be-
tween complete breakage with Ger
many; Germany has been Boosting
the west front; indications have been
received Of a tremendously organized
and final effort to make the German
submarine warfare effective.
Lloyd-George, 1t was held by off,
Gals, could not have selected a more
timely moment in which thus tersely,
critically and completely to summar-
ize all the allied aims.
II HAS DeGu d year SllCe IIcSi-
dent Wilson asked the belligerents
George said. 1.-THE central powers
have not yet replied"
The premier pointed out Germany's
reputation of ~reparation, as con
tanned in the Czernin statement. He
added that Belgium's autonomy was
subject to the nations leaving Tur-
I.a,, ~ InnS1a {hn fatn re tho , h.,
Armenians and Syrians, while the
central powers were demanding the
restoration Of their African colonies.
"All principles of self determina-
ton here vanish into thin air." he
asserted emphatically. "The allies
requirements are:
Complete restoration Of Belgium
and reparation as far. as possible OF
all devastated towns and lands"
The premier's speech is the first
official and formal reply to Count
Czernin's proffers of peace to the
allies, as announced through the
RussoLGerman negotiations at Brest-
Litovsk.
"Unless genuine self government is
granted the Austria-Hungarian ma
tionaSities so long desiring it, 1t IL
ihposSipie " HopC lol iohiofai L Inc
causes of unrest in that part OF
Europe, which have SO long threat
ened the general peace Lloyd-George
continued.
"On the same ground we regard
with vital satisfaction the legitimate
claims of the Italians for union with
those of their own race and tongue;
also the legitimate aspirations of
those of Rumanian blood and speech
The prime minister declared that
there must be reparation of lands oc-
Icupied in France, Italy. Serbia. Mon