The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-12-12
NAVY FOR DEFENSE
NOT AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON
SAYS PREMIER LLOYD GEORGE
,onscript Armies Are Inevitably Ag-
eressive and Lead to War, Is the
Opinion Of the English Statesman
Germany Must Pay Whole Cost Of
The Conflict---Perm Peace Must
Follow End Of Compulsory Service.

Bristol, Dec. 11.--Con-
script armies on the Eu-
ropcan continent are in
cvitably aggressive and
lead to war. The peace
conference, therefore must
do away with conscrip-
ton.
The British navy is a de-
fcnsivc we apon and
Britain, therefore means to
keep ii without abridge-
ment.
Thus, ia substance Premier Lloyd
George in a speech here today met the
charge which for a. time was the hinge
and the axle of all OF Germany's war
excuses: The charge that s'navalism
ts aa bad az militarism The Prime
Minister said in effect that Britain
cannot be accused Of nasalism Dc
rause her navy WIS not an offensive
weapon but was merely meant to pro-
fsct The BrTyislf Isles from INVASION. IN
other words. there was no room what
ever for n comparison between the
continental conscript articles and Bril-
ssn's naval weapon OF seif-defence.
Ca tho subject Of payment OF the
costs Of the war the Premier said:
we propose to demand the whole
e1st of the war from Germany
A special investigating committee
ut noin5ed by the cabinet. he said had
Nsafrd into Germany's financial and
q sssnm'c status and had reported that
efgrans was capable OF paying the
Fsssse cost
The ex-Kaiser ana his accom- plices.
I nf untaosing the war. and he hoped
That President Wilson would agree
With the Allies demand. to that effect.
Former Report Confirmed.
This confirms what Universal Serv-
ipa cnhicd exclusively on Saturday,
rfter ex-Premier AsQuith's speech on
ahA suh5ect. n ameix~ stasat,r H. Allies
Propose TO try the former responsible
herman ministers and possibly tho
military and naval chiefs. as well As
the Royal refugee. The rremier's
speech fellows:
Tho dNctx,on that Will be taken In
Ifht next few months In the peace
IcNnference In going To leave mark
|npnu tiae world Ages to- come will
t ntse to reap the fruits ef IT,
wv war ..asss sssss "a aassY
Ifhan Ii has cost us, X has cost eight
[hiilion pounds $4,000. Geo, 600 IA
|xiKanaic sum.
The German BILL / believe. In six
MI seven thousand millions II IL In
asfensihle that. the person who IL in
[the wrong and has lost should pay less
shAn the person who Ia declared To
iii In the right and has won.
IA British commission Wfa6 appointed
IN Investigate the capacity of tier
many and have received its report.
Must Pay tn prSce
'Firxt~--as far as 1t1atice is con
rerned, We have An absolute right TO
demand the whole cost Of the war
frcm Germany.
second. we propose To demand the
Ixholf cost at the war from Germany.
Third-When you come 10 tfe ex.
AN4ing OF II You must exact ~ such q
|1ny that II does not do more harm to
|the country that receives Il than to
|the counfry that y paying II
sFourth--The committee appointed
nv the British cabinet believes that
|that can be done.
s.Fifth- Our allies are In the same
heat. VIZ shall put our demands all
|fo1pther and whatever they are they
|ypest come In 'front.' Of the German
NMr tiebt. -5- =
III xhe Premier said the first consid-
3eFnttun IN the minds OF the allies
'lkouId 10 the interests Of the people
Iupon whom the Germans had made
MIR and not the interests Of this Ger
AnAn people who had made war and |