Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-15
OTTUAIWA sEM1WEEKLY COURIER, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY Is 1918

was that Great Britain was to give up
her coaling stations throughout the
world. confess think that was the
last demand Germany ought decently
to have put forward.
these coaling stations have been as
accessible to German as to British
ships. In the past the German fleet
always has received most hospitable
treatment at all these stations.
ITO make such a demand for the
first time in the fourth year OF the
war is the best possible proof that the
German empire, or those at present
controlling it, are not in mood to dis
cuss reasonable terms of peace. re.
greet it profoundly, but there is no use
in crying peace when there Is no
peace.
CITES RUSSIAN FARLEY
"The action of Germany with refer
ence to Russia proves that all her dec
larations about no annexations, tndem-
mites or contributions have no real
meaning. No answer has been given
with regard to Belgium, Poland or
Italy. When you come to Turkey, so
far from Won Hertling or Czernin indi-
eating that they were prepared to rec
ognize the rights of the Arabs in Meso-
potamia and Arabia, it was a pure de-
NAL of those rights and an indication
that they were determined to maintain
what they called the integrity of
Turkey.
II should like any member Of this
- ~ In IN -
speeches which he could possibly re-
gard as proof that the central powers
he would regard as just and reason
able. fail to find anything of the
kind, and it is with the most profound
regret that say SO.
MUST FIGHT ON
"But the allied governments do not
recede in the least from the statement
of war aims they already have made.
They still consider these as the aims
and ideals for which we are fighting
and until there is some better proof
than is supplied by the speeches Of the
they are prepared to consider them. It
will be our regrettable duty to continue
making our preparations necessary In
order to establish international rights"
Premier Lloyd George then turned to
the question Of the Versailles confer
ence and said he was not prepared to
enlarge upon the extended duties Of
that body. He said it was giving no
military Information to say that until
the present year the allies had had
preponderance on the western front
and no attack which the Germans
could bring to bear upon the British or
French armies could not have been
dealt with in the main by the reserves
of the respective armies.
CONDITION is CHANGED
THAT situation is entirely changed"
he said. "and If we had not dealt with
that changed situation we should have
been guilty of gross dereliction Of
duty"
Contrasting previous councils with
that at Versailles the premier empha-
sized the fact that at Versailles the
civilian and military members were
sitting together. The discussion was
absolutely free and complete unanim-
ity was reached, he said. There was
no division of opinion upon any resolu-
ton arrived at.
ISSUES PLAIN CHALLENGE
II must speak cautiously" the pre-
mier continued, because military dect
sions are involved, and might give in.
formation to the enemy"
Some commotion was caused in the
house by the premier's refusal to give
more details Of the Versailles confer.
ence.
In conclusion Premier Lloyd George
said that If the house and the country
were dissatisfied with the conduct Of
the war and IL they think there is any
government that can conduct it better,
1t was their business to put the other
government into power.