BRITAIN AND THE PEACE TEEMS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3087, 18 May 1917, Page 5

BRITAIN AND THE PEACE TEEMS

THE "NO-ANNEXATION" CRY

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OP COMMONS

MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

(T!ee. May 17, 5.5 p.m.)

. London, May lfi. •U'- 1 House of Commons during the 'third reading debate on the Coasolidajiou. Bill, Mr. Phillip Snowden Uocialist) moved an amendment welcomuig the Russian Government's repudiation of the Imperialistic desire for conquest, tentorial expansion, exaction of indemnity, or aggrandisement, and calling upon Britain to join the Allies in restating the terms/upon which, they would agree to a settlement of tho war. Mr. Snowden declared that Britain must come info lino with the new democratic policy of Russia, which was concentrating towards peace, thus voicing the dosire of all belligerent democracies. If tho Socialists of the various countries affotped the same attitude, revolution would not be confined to Russia, but would come to every country. The people of ono of the Allied countries (? Rumania) was on the verge of revolution. Allied diplomacy, by following undemocratic methods had welded the German classes together. The Government ought to regard tho Socialist conference at Stockholm as a Heaven-sent means of extricating it from the present awful position.

Mr. H. B. Lees Smith (Liberal), in seconding the amendment, said it would do no harm for -the Government to enter into negotiations.

Mr. Ramsay MncDonald (Labour) urged getting into confidential communication with tho Russian Workmen's Council, and, if it could, establish sympathy with them. There was facing the Government the grave danger of Russia making a separate peace.

Lord Robert Cecil (Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs), replying, said the Allies' would adhere to the original war aims. Any peace that was made must justify the sacrifices the Allies had made. It was not desired that political annexations should be made, but annexations, emancipating _ the enthralled peoples. It was impossible for the Allies to negotiate with Germany at (lie present moment. What did the plea of no annexation mean? Arabia had declared for her independence of Turkey. Was it proposed to again place Arabia under Turkey's rule? Then there had been -a terrible slaughter of Armenians, and similar atrocities in Palestine, and the German colonies in Africa. Britain would not have gbne to war to rescue the natives suffering under this misrule, but having rescued them, should we hand them back to Germany, if we were successful in the war? Such action would be abhorrent.' Within these limits, Britain did not oppose the policy suggested in the phrase "No annexation." Everyone was agreed regarding the position of Poland, the Italian Irredenta, and Alsace-Lorraine. With regard to the cry of "No indemnities." what-about Belgium? Mr. Snowden interrupted: "We have repeatedly stated that it is essential that iany settlement jmisl: provide for the restoration of Belgium's indeoendence and repnvntinu' for the damage." Bobort Cecil continued: "Does that cover Serbia? What about renai-".-tion for peaceful merchant vessels?" He certainly was not prepared to rule out [reparation. It would be ludicrous to enter into negotiations with Germany till the spirit that ■ had characterised Herr von Betlimanii-Holhveg's speech had been exorcised. In order to ensure a durable peace there must be annexations. the emancipation of enthralled peoples, and possibly the retention of strategic positions in order to safeguard the future. He did not believe that there was any difference of opinion between England and the Russian democracy regarding tho Allies' war aims. "If the Government can secure a peace based on justice and chivalry, respect for obligations, and respect for tho weak, it will gladlr co-operate with any members of the House in erecting barriers against, a recurrence of this devastating war." After further discussion the closure was carried by 238 votes to 32. Mr. Snowden's amendment was negatived without a division.—Aus.-X.Z. Cable Assn. PLAIN TRUTHS IN THE REICHSTAG

SOCIALIST MEMBERS SPEAK FRANKLY GERMAN "THIEVES" AND "ROBBERS" Amsterdam, 'April IG. A fuller report of the proceedings in the Reichstag shows that Herr Rossicke complained of the uncertainty. of Germany's war aims. It seemed as if the Government was not convinced that the country was determined to win a victory. "It would be terrible," he said, "if the Chancellor went to a Peace Conference with a plan to abandon everything: We demand the abandonment of all ideas of an international renunciatory peace." Herr Scheidemanit (Socialist) said: — "We also want something definite. We onpose all policy of conquest. . . . The Conservatives want to conquer the world, and to send thousands to be slaughtered against the people's will. You cannot achiove your purpose of throttiins the other nations." Herr Scheidemann aroused a tumult by declaring that the German policy of conquest had resulted in the Germans being regarded as a. nation of robbers and a gang of tliioves. Loud protests were raised, many mem-' bers demanding Scheidemann's removal. Herr Ledebour (Socialist), at a later stage in the debate, created a sensation in flie Houso by declaring that things must happen in Germany as in Russia. "We must introduce' a republic. We shall propose that tho Constitutional Reform Committee Shall take preparatory action to that end." '. It is noteworthy that the , German censorship deleted from the official wireless report the following extract from Iterr Hollweg's speech"l will not be diverted from the proper path by Herr Scheidemann's threat of a revolution. The German people will show that they do not understand such a word. I am not eoing to tolerate tho suspicion that 1 side with the Social Democrats." The latest reports give Herr Scheidemann's actual words: "If Franco and Britain renounce annexations, and Germany insists upon them, we shall have a revolution in tho land." Herr Colin asked Hon- Bethmann-Holl-wcg to impress on Turkey the necessity of stopping the massacre of Jews in Palestine. If Germany dees not interfere she is morally responsible for allowing an ally to murder and plunder the Jews without protest—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN PRESS COMMENT LACK OF ENTHUSIASM. . Amsterdam, May 16. The German newspapers are generally dissatisfied with Herr von BethmannHollweg's speech. Tho Press comment shows that there is a generally-expressed belief amongst the German people that tho war will not. end in 1917, njul perhaps not till 191S—Aiis.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EXTENSION OF BUT.LYING TACTICS URGED. Berne, May IG. Herr Revcntlow demands that Germany shall immediately declare war on every neutral continuing to trade with England. He also announces that the PanGerman League supports the demand in a petition which is to be presented to tho Kaiser.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.' TEMPORARY ASCENDANCE OF THE WAR PARTY. Paris, May IG. The "Journal" states that Herr Beth-mann-Hollweg's speech indicates a strengthening, at least temporarily, of the German War Party.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. i