The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1916-12-20 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1916.  The answer to the Psuate AND GERMAN German " peace "Pia." . offer" given in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon by the British Premier wad such as might have been expected from Mr. Lloyd George. With the directness of phrase and clearness of vision which are characteristic of him, M. George refused absolutely to meet Germany as thoagh the German proffer of peace was a definite and substantial one. lefis view is that no considered replyn. called for from Britain and her Allies for the simple reason that no piopasala are submitted to justify sucn a course. Germany has made no proposals for peace, and "for the Government to enter into proposals of which we have no knowledge would be to put our heads into a noose with the rope end in the hands of Germany." We do not doubt that the view expressed by the Premier will meet witl. general endorsement in the country. Whether Germany is really and genuinely anxious for peace is a subject upon which the world, with two and a half years experience of German methods. is entitled to entertain doabt, but until she definitely tables her cards it would be futile as well as perilous to take part with her in what may well be a game of bluff. Mr. Lloyd George correctly described the peace Note as a mere paraphrase of the German Chancellor's recent speech in the Reichstag, a speech which was a compound of boastfulness, bellicosity, and peace talk such as could scarcely have been made anywhere outside Prussia. Certainly it affords but fragile foundation upon which to build hopes of a peace which the Entente Powers coald possibly accept, and as such it has been regarded by all persons capable of reasoned judgment. Mr. Lloyd George, whilst refusing official reply to the German offer. very wisely indicated the minimum terms upon which the Allied Powers (all of whom are in unshakable agreement in this matter) are prepared to discuss peace. They are summed up in the one word Reparation. Without reparation agreed to and guaranteed by Germany and her accomplices no peace is possible. There must be evacuation by the enemy of Belgium. Serbia, and all allied provinces now occupied by their armies. There must be the fullest possible indemnification of Belgium, Serbia, Montenegro, and all populations that have suffered fees outrage and desecration, and the holding to "strict accountability" of 'hose proved guilty of crimes such as the sack of Louvain, the sinking of the Lusitania, and the murders of Nurse Cavell and Captain Fryatt. Above all. the enormous sacrifice and suffering of the war will have been in vain if the conflict is ended without the destruction of the Prussian sstem of militarism which has turned Europe into a shambles and threatened the very existence of civilisation. Peace which would kayo Germany in a position to conspire again against the liberty and happiness of mankind would not only be a betrayal of the noble dead who have given their lives in defence of liberty and right but also a betrayal of the generations that will come after us. Mr. Lloyd George, we need no assurance, subscribes o this conception of the only peace worth consideration. The Government will formally reply to the German Note in the course of the neat few days, the reply taking an identical form in the case of every Ally, and it will he the only sort of response possible to make at this time.