Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1918-01-08
THE WAR AIMS OF
ENGLAND SET FORTH
PREMIER DEMANDS RE-ESTAB-
LIsHMENT OF SANCITY OF
TREATIES.
ADDRESS TO TRADE UNIONISTS
No Desire to Disrupt German State
Belgium Must Be Restored;
AIsace-Lorraine Returned;
Poland independent.

London-In fulfillment Of prom
Use to address the delegates OF the
trades unions, who are now discuss
ing the suestion of man-power with
Sir Auckland Geddes, minister of ma
tional service, Premier Lloyd George
made a statement Saturday or the
war aims of Great Britain.
Cause Must Be Just.
when men by the millions are
called upon to suffer and die and
vast populations are being subjected
to the sufferings and privations of
war unprecedented in the history OF
the world" he said, they are en-
titled to know for what cause or
causes they are making the sacrifices.
Only the clearest, greatest and just
est of causes could justify hte con-
| tinuance even for a day Of this un-
speakable agony of nations.
1--WE ought to be able to state clear
ly and definitely not only the prin-
ciples for which we are fighting, but
their definite, concrete application to
the war map of the world. We have
arrived at the most critical hour
of this terrible conflict, and before
any government takes the fateful de-
cision as to the cause under which
it ought either to terminate or con-
tinue the struggle, it ought to be
satisfied that the conscience of the
t. hA
Speaks for Entire Empire.
The premier said that in the last
few days he had taken special pains
to ascertain the view and attitude of
representative men of all sections of
thought in the country. He had
read the statement of labor's war
aims he had discussed was aims
with Mr.. Asquith, the former pre-
mier, and Viscount Grey, the for
mer foreign secretary. Had the ma
tionalist leaders in Ireland not been
engaged with the tangled problem of
Irish self-government he would have
been happy to exchange views with
them, but Mr.. Redmond, speaking in
their behalf, had made clear what
his ideas are as to the object and
purpose of the war. He had also con-
suited with representatives of the
overseas dominions.
:. AS result of these discussions,
he continued, although the govern
ment alone was responsible for the
actual language he proposed using,
there was national agreement as to
the character and purpose of the ma
tion's war aims and peace conditions.
He was speaking, therefore, not mere
ly the mind of the government, but
the mind of the nation and empire.
Not to Dismember Germany.
1--WE may begin by clearing away
some misunderstandings," said the
premier, "and stating what we are
| not fighting for. We are not fight
) ing war of aggression against the
German people. Their leaders have
r persuaded them that they are fight
, ing a war of self-defense against a
league of rival nations bent on the
destruction of Germany. The destruc-
: ton or disruption of Germany has
r never been war aim with us. Most
, reluctantly and quite unprepared we
;. were forced to join in this war in
r self-defense, in defense of violated
law in Europe.
i British people have never aimed
at breaking up the German peoples
or the disintegration of their state.
/ Our wish is not to destroy Germany's
great position in the world, but to
/ turn her aside from schemes of mill.
S tary domination to devote her
l. strength to the beneficient tasks of
e the world.
o Would Preserve Nations.
}. I'VE are not fighting to destroy
y Austria-Hungary or to deprive Turkey
or its capital or the rich lands OF
Asia Minor and Thrace, which are
predominately Turkish.
, we are not fighting to destroy the
!, German constitution, although we con
d slider a military autocracy constitu
/ ton a danger.
My viewpoint is that the adoption
OF democratic constitution by Ger
. many would be the most convincing
q evidence that her old spirit of mill
n tary domination had indeed died in
this war, and it would make it much
easier for us to include a broad
q democratic peace with her. But tha
is a question for the German people
!. to decide. =.
r. 1T is more than a year since the
q president of the United States ad
yised the belligerents by suggestion
tnat each side should clearly stat,
. the aims for which it is fighting
a Even on so crucial a matter as thei
4 intention regarding Belgium, the Ger
q mans have declined to give an,
Il trustworthy Indication,