The New York herald., 1921-02-16
PREMIER DODGES AS
PARLIAMENT OPENS
continued from FIRST Page.

Contiaued from First rage.
the home Government and the heads OF
the Dominion Governments.
This is an imperial matter" the
Premier replied TO Gen. Davidson. u
am looking forward TO a meeting OF the
| Prime Ministers OF the empire next
June. at which viii be raised the whole
| question Of imperial defence. The only
| really efficient way OF dealing with 1t is
by appointing a Defence Minister, which
at present Is impossible"
Refusing to commit himself regard
ing the conference of the allied Prime
Ministers. Premier Lloyd George said:
1T does not encourage the Government
very much TO agree to a discussion when
Mr.. AsQuith reminds us II took four
davs for the discussion I'm France. We
certainly could not spare four days
But taking account OF the fact that next
week there will be very important
series of conferences held in this coun-
try, in which we hope to have repre-
sentatives of Turkey and Germany. as
we'll as representatives of the allied
Governments. I would respectfully sug-
gest that 1t is not desirable to have sudh
q debate.
"It is most difficult IN the course Of a
prolonged debate not to commit yourself
upon subjects where committal fs un-
desirable until you hear what is to be
said by the other side. I know nothing
of the nature of the counter proposals
to be brought forward by Germany.
They will be considered carefully. with
I q real desire to take the most effective
measures for Germany to liquidate her
Liabilities under the Treaty OF Versailles.
but until we know their character 1t
would oe most undesirable TO have
prolonged discussion IN this House.
II dissent from our right honorable
friends description of the Paris resoiu-
tions as a revision and recasting of
the Versailles treaty. ] have repeatedly
reminded the House that there are pro-
visions In the treaty which enable the
Powers to consider proposals compound
ing the whole liability of Germany.
Tho proposals themselves have been
published. In so far as they differ from
the proposals forwarded before, the main
essential difference lies in the proposal
that there should be an annuity, fiuctuat-
ing according to the prosperity of the
export trade of Germany.
Regarding the Turkish conference,
undoubtedly the treaty of Sevres will be
the subject OF discussion. What pro-
posals will be forwarded by the repre-
sentatfves OF the Turkish nation | do not
know. The supreme interest of the Brit
ish Empire-as matter of fact. the
supreme interest of the Allies and the
supreme interest OF the worlds that
peace should be established. whether in
the middle East or in Central Europe,
and his Majesty's representative in the
conference will be animated by this
supreme desire. subject. of course. also
to the paramount obligations to see to 1t
that right Is done the Christian popula-
tion of Turkey.
Regarding the formation of new Mid
Eastern department we had prolonged
discussion last December. Mr.. Asquith
was not present, and II Is rather hard
that every time he is not present at
debate il should be necessary that
the proposals about which he inquiries
should be referred to In the Kings
speech 1t will be part of the Colonial
Office and it's relations to the Foreign
Office will be similar to that of the
Colonial Office In any part of the world
Says witnesses Fled to U. $.
Referring to ireland the Premier said:
"Our right honorable friend asked about
the Strickland report. do not know
why II Is called Gen. Strickland's report.
1t Is simply a report In an area over
which Gen. Strickland is In military
command. 1t Is an ordinary report OF
an ordinary inquiry. which Is always
held after burnings and murders These
| inquiries are invariably held for the
purpose of informing the Government
upon the subject matter. so that the
Government might know what action
was necessary
A member interrupted: Were no
civilian witnesses heard?'
Premier Lloyd George--"There were
civilian witnesses at the inquiry"
member-"Their evidence was re-
| fused
Premier Lloyd George-"I do not
mind Interruptions when the person in
terrupting me is well informed. but as
a matter of fact it was not our fault any
! more than 1t was the fault of the civilian
! witnesses. There were members OF the
Corporation, including the Lord Mayor.
whom we were anxious TO summons to
| give evidence. but they fled 10 America
/ rather than give evidence. l hope that
is not the spirit in which the committee
| who discharged the most difficult task
will be criticised in the House of COM
mons.
I'VE are asked whether we are pre-
rared to publish this report. That is a
most important decision to make. for
the decision you take in reference TO one
OF these inquiries you must take in ref
erence to the whole of them
A member interrupted the Premier
and said this report was promised by
Mr.. Lloyd George.