BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1919, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

DISCUSSIONS ON PEACE TERMS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copy rigid. > Australia A- N.Z Cable Association^

LONDON, July 22.

In the House of Commons the bill for the ratification of the Peace Treaty was debated. In supporting the latification, Mr Donald McClean paid a tribute- to Mr Lloyd George’s “skill, energy and indomitable optimism” at the Peace Conference. He referred, however, to the fact that unless trade with Germany were revived she will bo unable to repair the damage done. He said he had unhesitatingly supported the trial of tiie ex-Kaiser, but he disagreed with the idea of conducting the trial in London. He said some neutral country was preferable. “Tho British people,” he declared, “do not want a Roman triumph.” Mr J. A. Seddon, (Labour member for Henley) said that there seemed to have been no sign that Germany repented. He declared her early admission to the League, of Nations was entirely impossible.

Lord Robert Cecil commented on the fact that the amount of reparation to be demanded from Germany had been left indeterminate. Mr H. Bottomley, (Independent), moved an amendment regretting the absence of some definite obligation on Germany to compensate Britain for her total war losses. Mr J. Clynes, (Labourite and former Cabinet Minister) said: “I have oeen telling the working classes that Germany should be admitted to the League of Nations at the earliest i ossible moment. Germany’s crimes were certainly colossal but there is reason to fear that the punishment im posed on certain sections lias been too severe. “The Labour Party,” he said “was anxious thjit there should be no excesses in punishment. Mr Clynes spoke strongly regarding the need for conceding all nations the right of selfdetermination. He said: “We do not want another Alsace Lorraine!” The Government’s attitude on the conscription question lie added was causing suspicion and distrust. Mr Joseph Delvin, (Nationalist mem her for West Belfast) urged that Ireland’s claim for self-determination should bo conceded. It is, lie said no longer a domestic matter, but a world question. Mr Devlin who spoke in the debate in the early hours of the morning, urged the rejection of the third reading of the Bill, as a protest against Lloyd George’s action in asking Irishmen to regard Ireland as not being a composite nation. “There can he no peace” said Mr Devlin, “until the Irish question is settled!” -

Mr Lloyd George replied to Air. Dev lin ridiculing the idea that he had taken up a new attitude in regard to Ireland. The Nationalist Party might lie said, have self Government, but they must not force sclf-Government upon Ulster. Mr Devlin’s motion was rejected by 1(52 votes to 4.