PEACE MOVEMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 November 1917, Page 5

PEACE MOVEMENT.

PROPOSAL IN THE COMMONS. FEAN CO-RU SSIAN AGREEMENT LONDON, November 6. In the House of Commons debating the Consolidated Fund Bill, Mr. Lee Smith moved “That provided satisfactory guarantees are obtained regarding the independence and restoration of Belgium and the evacuation of other occupied territory no obstacle should be placed in the way of preliminary peace negotiations; which might embody an equitable settlement of the Alsace-Lorraine question and provide machinery for the 'avoidance of future wars.” The mover declared that there was a secret agreement between France and Russia, that in the event of the Allies being victorious, Germany, in addition to Alsace-Lor-raine, would lose great tracts of territory on the west bank of the Rhine and the whole of the Saar Valley. Mr Balfour interposed that Britain, had entered into such agreement. The statements related to an agreement between France and the Tsar. MR. BALFOUR’S REPLY. LONDON. November 6. Mr. Robert Lambert, referring to the League of Nations, declared: “We must welcome Germany into it.” (Cries of “Never. Remember the Lusitania. ”

Mr. Ramsay MacDonald wished to adopt the Russian formula “No annexations, no indemnities.’ ’ He said the country should clearly state its war aims and make those aims real. Mr. Balfour said these discussions did not assist the Government in the object of obtaining an honourable peace. Supporters of the motion appeared to desire that peace should not take place, until all Europe was democratised according to the Ramsay MacDonald pattern. Nothing would unite Germany more against her enemies than the idea to force upon her not to the form of government she desired, but a form her enemies happened to admire. Mr Balfour characterised the alleged secret treaty for handling over German parts of Germany to France, or some independent community as a mare’s nest. ‘No such treaty existed. * We were fighting in order that Europe might be free militarism, Germany declined'l6 state her war aims in replying either to The Pope’s Note or President Wilson. Ho condemned the misrepfesehtatiori'' in the House- : of the Government’s official statements; Mr Asquih combatted the view that if the Alsace question were out of the way or settled separately, other war aims were within reach attainment. This was a complete fallacy. Mr. Bonar Law moved the closure, which was carried by 282 to-23. Mr Lee Smith’s motion was negatived without division. THE LATE GERMAN PEACE PROPOSALS. ' 1

PARTICULARS. Received 8.40. LONDON, November 7. The Manchester Guardian's Paris correspondent confirms the Daily Telegraph's Milan message {cabled on October 24), and adds that M. Briand strongly wished" to go to Switzerland to see von Buelow or the Chancellor, as Germany suggested, but the Premier •M. Ribot, would not allow it, believinothe proposal to be a trap. Briand then demanded that all the Powers should bo informed. This was done, but in such- a form as to suggest, that the offer was a trap. Hence the Powers declined to negotiate. In addition to Alsaeo and Lorraine, the proposals included the cession of Trieste and tho Trent in o. the complete independence of Belgium and financial compensattou for damage to Belgium. Germany insisted strongly on the abstention" of the belligerent nations from a commencal boycott after the war, and complete equality of treatment in import duties and commencial facilities. (Tho cable referred to above was a peace proposal made by Germany to M. Briand by an acredited Belgian diplomat in Switzerland, which came direct from the German Government. The pourparlers lasted a month, ending on October Ist. Germany was most anxious to have the proposal accepted, but it was unacceptable because it implied the annexation of huge slices of Russia, and contemplated no concessions to Italy, Serbia, and Roumania* also the proposals were coupled with demands for privileges at Antwerp, and military concessions. The Manchester Guardian is noted for its decided pacifists leanings.)