GO ON OR GO UNDER!

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1779, 22 January 1918, Page 3

GO ON OR GO UNDER!

PREMIER ADDRESSES TRADE ’ UNIONS.

London,' Jan. 18. Mr Lloyd George, addressing representatives of trade unions affected by the Man-Power Bill, paid a tribute to the way in which they had met. (he Government. A spirit of complete frankness had characterised both sides, resulting in clearing up misunderstandings. The Premier reiterated that the alternatives to the proposals were the raising of the ago limit as in Austria (where it is iifty-tive) or sending hack wounded men. “It would,” he said, “he folly to withdraw 7 men from industry an hour sooner than is necessary, but it would be treason to the country, to the democracy and to the cause of freedom if, when Ihe need arose, we did not make the demand; I assume that in your hearts you believe that the war aims declared by the great Labour conference represents Ibe minimum which is possibly accept able, but if we are unable to defeat the German forces, if we are unable to resist the military power of Prussia, is there a man here who believes that one of your terms, even the least of them', can be enforced? “I am not talking of the demands of Imperialists, the demands of extreme war men, who want to annex the earth and all the heavenly firmament, I am talking of the moderate demands of the most pacifist soul in this assembly. Go to Hindenburg with them and try to cash that cheque at the Hindenburg bank. It will be returned dishonoured. Whatever terms are submitted by any pacifist in these lands, you will not get them cashed by Ludendorff, or the Kaiser, or any of these magnates unless you have got power to enforce them.”

Mr Lloyd George said that he and President Wilson, without previous consultation, had laid down what was substantially the same programme regarding 1 demands for the termination of the war. There had been no response from any man of any position in Germany indicating that the rulers of Germany desired to approach’ the problem in a spirit of equity. We demanded the restoration of Belgium. Would' any of his hearers make peace without .the complete restoration of Belgium and reparation for its wrongs? Shouts of “No!” GERMANY’S RECEPTION OF BRITAIN’S DEMANDS.

Germany's only answer to that demand came from the soul of von Tirpitz, who replied, “Never!” He (Mr Lloyd George) demanded reconsideration for the wrong to Al-sace-Lorraine. Germany answered, “Never!” The programme had been acclaimed throughout the Allied countries. Criticism was hardly heard, except from a few who wished that Mr Lloyd George had made more extreme demands. The Socialists of France, Britain and Italy had, in the main, accepted the demands as very fair. Mr Lloyd George emphasised that he would not have the war for a second on his soul if he could stop it honourably. He urged those, especially who thought we were responsible for the perpetuation of the horror of war, to consider. the’ reception of our demands by Germany, where the only comment had been: “Behold, how England is weakening. Go on, and they will come down again!” When- he suggested that Mesopotamia and Palestine should never bo restored to the tyranny of the Turk, Germany had answered: “We will go on until thev are restored.”

The Premier emphasised that not a single condition contained in the British Trade Union war aims had met with any authoritative response in Germany. It was very significant that, there had been no civilian answer from Germany at all. TTindenlmrg and Ludendorff were hurriedly summoned to confer at Berlin, but Dr. von Kubbuann was not allowed to speak. That meant that the Prussian military power was dominant, and that Germany's answer to civilisation would he. given from the cannon's mouth. It would he a mistake to harbour any delusions. THU ONLY POSSIBLE WAY TO WIN THE WAR.

“Let us talk quite freely here amongst ourselves,” continued the Premier. “You might as well stop lighting unless you are going to do it with all your might. It is real murder of the gallant fellows who have stood there three years. There is no alternative. You have either got to put your whole strength into it or just do what is done in the Russian Army, and tell those brave fellows they can go home whenever they like. If there are men who say they will not go into the trenches, then the men in the trenches have-a right to say ‘Neither will we remain here.’ That would end the war; but what sort of end would it he. The Russian soldiers ceased fighting, fraternised and simply talked of great ideals and principles to the German army. The Germans did not retreat, hut took Riga and the islands. If Petrograd were nearer they would have had that, too. “Unless we are prepared to stand up to the whole might of the peoplp now dominating Germany you will find the democracy of Kur., : .< at the mercy of the cruellest md; a; y autocracy the world has ever -een. If you sent Himlerdmrg p. w delegations, he would just mock your request that h/. should evacuate Belgium. Tie would say in his heart, ‘You cannot turn me out of Belgium with trade union resolutions.’ The answer you can give him is, AVe can and will turn you out of Belgium with tradjti union guns, and trade uniou-

ists behind them.’ If any man stand*ing.in this place can find an honourable, equitable way out of this conflict without lighting it through, for heaven’s sake let him tell me. My own conviction is that the people must either go bn or go under,”