Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-01-07
THE LLOYD GEORGE ADDRESS

-
THE LLOYD GEORGE ADDRESS
In addition to its clarity and forcefulness the adj
dress of Premier Lloyd George delivered on. Saturday
was noteworthy for two things. its insistence, without
modification or variation, on the formerly declared prin-
ciples which govern all the Allies in this war, and its
elaboration OF these principles by specific instances Of
their application. =
The address was, of course, called forth at this time
by the publication Of the peace proposals which Germany
has sought to transmit to the world through the medium
of the Russian Bolsheviki. Those proposals are rejected
with the same frmness and emphasis that has character
lied the rejection Of every other suggestion Of a restora-
ton of the status quo ante bellum or anything resem-
bling it.
The principles upon which the democratic nations of
the world stand have been stated in words and phrases
which varied in form. but which have been uniform in
real content. Perhap s the words restoration, reparation
and guarantee used long ago are as apt and as compre-
hensive as any. And the meaning embodied in those
words forms the backbone Of every statement issued by
any of the entente nations, the recent speech of Lloyd
George included. The establishment of the sanctity of
treaties which is made a prime condition by the premier
involves the restitution of territory saken from its peo-
pie by force and in violation of treaties, Territorial set
tlement based on the consent of the governed. and inter-
national agreement to limit armament and diminish the
probability of war involve the conception of ample guar
antees that agreements Will not be violated. The idea Of
such reparation for the injuries inflicted in the war runs
all through the address.
More than any former official procurement the
address deals with specific items which will be insisted
upon by the Allies. Belgium, of course, must be restored
to its people. The British empire will fght>to the death
with France for the restoration of Alsace-Lorraine. Ara
bia, Palestine and Armenia can never revert to Turkey.
Poland must be given its autonomy, and it must include
all the Polish peoples who desire to unite with their fell
low Poles in the establishment Of an Independent state.
The natives of the former German colonies are. to De
consulted as to their future which means that they will
never pass under the Prussian yoke. The independence
and integrity of the Balkan states must be recognized.
But the British premier makes it clear that there is
now no thought Of destroying Turkish authority in the
territory whose population is Turkish, nor is the Turkish
government to be driven from its capital, Constantinople.
The control Of Turkey over the Dardanelles. however, is
to be ended by the Decentralization Of the straits. In
this there appears to be a modification of the former pol
icy, which was generally believed to be the information
ization of constantinople itself. Assurance is repeated
that there is no intent on the part of the Allies to de-
stroy either the German empire or that of Austria-Hun-
gary, but rather the desire that each may be re-estab-
lished upon the sure foundation OF democratic govern
ment.
In it's spirit the address is in entire accord with the
declarations which have been made by the American
government, and in its discussion of details it presents
the logical application of those principles. 1t will give
not a sign of recession from the advanced ground which
has been occupied from the beginning and its expression
of. logged determination to see the thing through to the
end is worthy of the best traditions of the democratic
peoples that are fighting for the existence of free govern
ment throughout the earth.