Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-08

there was national agreement as 20
The character and purpose of the
nations war aims and peace con-
ditiOns. He was speaking. there
fore. not merely the mind of the
government. but the mind of the
nation and empire.
Not War of Aggression
Against German People.
I'VE may begin by clearing away
some MISUNDERSTANDING" said the
premier. land stating what we are
not fighting for. We are not fight
ing war of aggression against
the German people. Their leaders
have persuaded them that they are
fighting a war of self-defense
against a league of rival nations
bent on the destruction Of Germany.
The destruction or disruption Of
Germany has never been war aim
with US. Most reluctantly and quite
unprepared we were forced to join
in this war in self-defence, in de
Tense of violated law in Europe.
The British people have never
aimed at the breaking up of the
German Deoples or the disintergra-
ton of their state. Our wish is
not to destroy Germany's great
her aside from schemes of mill
tary domination TO devote her
strength to the beneicient tasks
of the world
I'VE are not lighting to destroy
Austria-Hungary or to deprive
Turkey of its capital or the rich
lands of Asia Minor and Thrace,
which are predominately Turk
ish.
I'VE are not lighting TO destroy
the German constitution although
we consider a military. autocratic
constitution dangerous anachronism.
Our viewpoint is that the adoption
of 4 democratic constitution by
Germany would be the most con-
vincing evidence that her old spir-
IL of military domination had in
deed died in this war. and it would
make il much easier for us to con-
clude a broad. democratic peace
with. her. But that is a question
for the German people to decide.
eft is more than a year since the
president Of the United States ad-
vised the belligerents by sugges-
ton that each side should state
clearly the aims for which they
were fighting. We replied; the CEN
trail powers did not, and they have
maintained complete silence as TO
the objects for which they are
lighting. Even on so crucial
matter as their intention regarding
Belgium they have declined to give
any Trustworthy indication.
Referring. to the pronouncement
Of Count Czernin. the Austro-Hun-
garian foreign minister, at the
Rrest-Litovsk peace conference on
December %. that it was not the
intention of the central powers TO
appropriate forcibly any occupied
territories or rob Of its Independence
any nation which lost its political
independence during the war, Mr..
LLOYD George said il was obvious
that any scheme Of conquest and
annexation could be perpetrated
within the literal Interpretation OF
such a pledge.
Allies Fighting for
Equality of Right
We must know what is meant
said the premier, sfor equality OF
right amongst nations, small as
well as great, is one of the funda-
mental isues this country and her
allies are fighting to establish
ReparatiOn for Belgian towns
and villages and their inhabitants.
he asserted. had ben repudiated en-
phatically by the central powers,
and the rest of their so-called Of
fers were almost entirely a re-
fusal of all concessions. On one
point only were they clear. Under
no circumstances would Germany's
demand for the restoration of the
= - l1wlr -4a1
from All the principles of self
determination here vanish.
1T is impossible to believe that
any permanent peace can be cree
ted on such a foundation" said
the premier. Mere lip service to
the formula of no annexation, no
indemnity and self-determination
is useless.
The days of the treaty of Wen
ma are long past. We can no long
er submit the future Of European
civilization to the arbitrary decis-
ions of a few negotiators striving
to secure by chicancery or per-
suasion the interests of this or that
dynasty or nation. Therefore, gov
eminent with the consent Of the
governed must be the basis of any
territorial settlement. For that
reason also, unless treaties be up
held, it is obvious that no treaty of
peace can be worth the paper on
which il is written.
The first requirements always
made by the British and their al
lies have been the complete restor-
alton. political. territorial and eco
nOmic, of the independence of Bel
gium and such reparation as can be
made FOR the devastation of its towns
and provinces. 1t is no demand for
war indemnity, but insistence that
before there can be any hope of sta
BILE peace this great breach of pub
lie law in Europe must be repudia-
ted and, so far as is possible, re-
paired.
Preparation means recognition.
Unless international right is recog-
nized by insistence on payment for
injury done in defiance of its can