The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-02-15
Made in Formation Of
Stable League Of
Nations.
DEFINITE PLAN is
ALMOST COMPLETES
Commissions Charged With Var
ious Missions at Peace Confer
ence Announce Findings Soon.

London, Feb. ll.-Progress on
the formation Of the society Of ma
tions was very satisfactory, Premier
Lloyd George said today in the house
Of commons in discussing the work OF
the peace conference. He said he
hoped report would be issued: soon
by the commission appointed to con-
sider responsibility for the war and
enemy outrages.
The premier in answering to aques-
ton said that the British representa-
tives, like the others, would sign the
treaty Of peace Professionally and that
the treaty would be presented to par
lament tor ratification. If the house
choose to repudiate it the house was
all powerful, he said.
The peace commission on indemni-
ties. the premier said, he hoped, would
issue its report soon.
The premier declared that the con-
ference had made progress beyond the
most sanguine articipations and that
it was approaching an agreement on
most questions. 1t would be a mis-
fortune, he added, if the peace con-
ference deliberations were discussed
in any parliaments before they wee
concluded.
If industrial unrest continues the
consequences Will be grave to trade
and industry, A1r Lloyd George de-
clared. The government, he said,
would agree to any kind of an inves-
tigation into the causes of the unrest.
Special war conditions, the prenaier
thought. had contributed /. to the un-
rest Among these conditions were
| the strain of four years Of war and
the fear Of unemployment.
The premier said that bills would
be introduced next week dealingWith
housing. health. the revival oftrurafz
life. land settlement for soldiers.
land reclamation and afforestatioH
! Mr.. Lloyd George said there would
be plenty of opportunities for employ
ment if confidence was given those re-
spcnsible for starting industries and
unless the cost of production went go
high that it reduced the purchasing
power Of the community or put the
country out of the world market.
(! Discussing housing conditions, the
premier referred to overcrowdins in
many districts which had been aggra-
waited during the war by congregat-
ing in already crowded areas. The
government would do its best to ale
viate such conditions, and hours OF
labor. he said. already have been
fixed in industries involving three
million persons.
Before the war. the premier said,
Great Britain exported more than L.
900, 100000 tons Of goods and it. was
computed that half the cost of the
goods was wages The difference Of a
few s!1il1ings on ton OF a COM
deprive the country Of hundreds -of
millions Of pounds and might throw
hundreds Of thousands out Of work.
Before the war the railways were
making profits Of $4,000, 900 pounds,
according to the premier, but their
expenses were now increased by co.
100000 pounds, largely in wages. TO
reduce the hours Of labor while pay
ing the same wages he contended,
would be to increase unemployment
Referring to demand put forward
not to obtain fair conditions but to
overthrow the existing order, to de-
stroy the government" the premier
declared:
"I say insistently on behalf Of the
government that we are determined
to fight Prussianism in the industrial
world exactly as we fought it on the
continent of Europe
IF all classes Of the community are
prepared to make the necessary sac
rifices for the stability security and
freedom Of industry am prepared
to say with full knowledge of the
that no section Of the
however powerful, shall
De allowed to hold up the whole ma
ion'
The premier concluded .with an ap-
Deal that the victory won by battles
should not wantonly be dissipated in
| few weeks by increased strife.