The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-09

raine. 1t may be recalled that the
German foreign minister, DR.. Won
recently declared that
that alone prevented the belligerents
from meeting on q common peace
ground.
In fulhllment Of a promise to ad-
dress the delegates Of the trades un-
Ions who are now discussing the ques.
ton Of man power with Sir Auckland
Geddes. minister Of national service.
Premier Lloyd George made a state
ment today Of the war aims Of Great
When men by the millions are
called upon to suffer and die. and vast
populations are being subjected to
the sufferings and privations of a
war unprecedented in the history Of
the world" he said, they are entitled
to know for what cause or causes they
are making the sacrifices. Only the
clearest, greatest and most just of
causes could justify the continuance
even for a day Of this unspeakable
agony of nations.
I'VE ought to be able to state clear
ly and definitely not only the princi-
pies for which we are fighting. but
their definite. concrete application OF
the war map Of the world. We have
arrived at the most critical hour Of
this terrible conflict and before gov
eminent takes the fateful decision as
to the conditions under which 1t
ought either to terminate or continue
the struggle ought to be satisfied that
the conscience of the nation Is behind
these conditions"
The premier said that during the
last few days he had taken special
pains to ascertain the view and atti-
tude Of representative men Of all SEC
tions Of thought In the country. He
had read the statement Of labor's
war aims; he had discussed war aims
with Mr.. Asauith. tho former pre-
mier. and viscount Grey. the former
foreign secretary. Had the Nation
alist leaders In Ireland not been en-
gagged with the tangled problem OF
Irish self-covernment he would have
been happy to exchange views with
them but Mr.. Redmond, speaking ir
their behalf, had made clear what his
ideas are as to the object and purpose
Of tho war. He mad also consulted
with. representatives of the overseas
- - yS>~->--- -----r.i-i. - ~ ,-
AZ q result Of these discussions. he
continued. although the government;
alone was responmble for the actual
language he proposed using. there was
national agreement as to the charac-
ter and purpose of the nations war
aims and peace conditions. He was
speaking. Therefore. not merely the
mind Of the, government. but the
mind OF thernation and empire.
I'VE may begin by clearing away
some misunderstandinga." said the
premier. "and stating what we are
not lighting for. We are not fighting
a war OF aggression against the Ger.
man people. Their leaders have per.
suaded them that they are fighting G
war Of self-defense against a league
OF rival nations bent on the destruc,
tion Of disruption of Germany. The
destruction or disruption OF German,
has never been a war aim with us
Most reluctantly and quite unprepar.
cd we we're forced to join In this VIA,
In self defense, in defense OF violated
law In Europe.
The British people have never
aimed Mt the breaking up OF the Ger
man 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 military domination to de
vote her strength, to the beneficent
tasks of the world.
I'VE ere not fighting to destro,
Austria Hungary or to deprive Turkey
OF it's capital or the rich lands OF
Asia Minor and Thrace. which are
predominately turkish.
I'VE are not fighting to destroy thu
German constitution although VIC
consider a military. autocratic consti-
tuition dangerous anachronism. Our
viewpoint ia that the adoption Of &
democratic constitution by Germany
would be the most convincing evil
dence that her old spirit of military
domination had indeed died in this
war, and II would make 1t much cas-
Ter for Us to conclude a broad. demo-
cratic peace with her. But this Is o
r.o.x,. g. .I ~,o.- , =.