THE APPEAL TO THE MANHOOD OF BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 101, 22 January 1918, Page 5

THE APPEAL TO THE MANHOOD OF BRITAIN

MR. LLOYD GEORGE AND THE TRADE UNIONS PRIME MINISTER UNDER FIRE By Telenrapli--Prcsß A6sociation--Copvriiiht, ' ... London, January 2G. Mr. Lloyd George, after his speech, invited and answered numerous ijiiestions. Regarding the advisability of negotiating with the Germans when the Germans were alleged to he whining and squealing for peace, he replied: "Tho Germans are always ready for peace at their own prico, which we are not prepared to pay. The moment the Germans show a disposition to aogotiate on equitable terms there will be no reluctance- to negotiate." Asked whether or not tho best way of ascertaining the opinion of the German people was to allow British representatives to meet representatives of the other Powers at Stockholm or elsewhere, the Prime Minister replied, pointing out that German representatives would he chosen by the Government. "You can only make peace with a Government," ho said. "If the government does not represent the peoplo of Germany, lot them change it. And if this Government does not represent the peoplo of tin's country, they can change it." A delegate interjected: Give us an opportunity. Mr. Lloyd George: Wo have given you the best opportunity in the Franchise Bill,'which adds 8,000,000 to the electorate. You can have an opportunity any time you like. The Premier was considerably heckled regarding his objections to an International Workers' Conference, apart from the Governments. He reiterated that all the Allies and America had agreed that negotiations could only be conducted between representatives of the Governments, and not between sections of the people. He emphasised tho difficulty of deciding when it was desirable to enter into a peace conference without putting one's head into a noose. He was convinced that a conference at present would aggravate, and not improve, matters. A. delegate asked whether President Wilson's reference to freedom of the seas was in accordance with the views of the British Government. The Premier replied, emphasising that Britain was in a different position from America or any Continental country. "We must guard most carefully against any attempt to interfere with our capacity to protect our shores, our shipping, and our overseas communications." A delegate asked what was meant by reconsideration of the position of The Premier replied that the British people will stand by Franco, which considered .that peace was impossible till the question of Alsace-Lorraine was settled— Aus.-rN.Z. Cable Assn. ENGINEERS ABSENT FROM THE CONFERENCE. London, January _20. Official correspondence shows that the Amalgamated Society of Engineers declined to participate in the Man-Power Conference. 'Tho Government declined to consult the society separately—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. TWO MILLION MEN FROM BRAZIL (Rec. January 22, 1 a.m.) New York, January 20. The "Tribune's" special correspondent states that Brazil will put two million men in the field. Several hundred thousand men will he on the West front in a few months.— Reuter.