Speech by Lloyd George.

Taihape Daily Times, 21 January 1918, Page 5

Speech by Lloyd George.

THE WAR POSITION.

GREAT.SPEECH BY LLOYD GEORGE.

"-Either Go On or Go Under."

Bolshevicks First Set Back.

A Dastardly Bolshevick Plot.

To Arrest Roumanian Royalties.

FRANK STATEMENT OF THE

WAR POSITION.

LONDON, 'January 19

The Prime Minister, Mr. Lloyd George, addressing the representatives of the Trade Unions affected by the Man-Power Bill, paid a tribute to the spirit wherein they had met the Government. A spirit of complete frankness had characterised both sides, resulting In the clearing of misunderstandings. The Premier reiterated that the alternatives to the proposals were the raising of the age limit, as in Austria, where it is fifty-five or sending back woundeds, It would be folly to withdraw men from industry an hour sooner than was necessary, but it would be treason to the country, to democracy and to the cause of freedom, if when the need arose, we did not make the demand. I assume that in your hearts you believe the war aims declared by the great Labour Conference represent the minimum which can possitlSy be acceptable; but if we are unable to defeat the German forces, if we are unable to resist military power of Prussia, is there a man who believes one of your terms, even the least of them could be enforced. I am not talking of the demands of Imperialists of the demands of the extreme war ten 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, try to cash that cheque at the Hindenburg bank, and it will be returned dishonoured. Whatever terms might be 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 the power to enforce them. He (the speaker) and President Wilson, without previous consultation had laid down what was substantially the Allies' programme of demands for the termination of the war. There had been no response from any man of

Received 9.45

any position in Germany indicating that the rulers of Germany desired to approach the problem in a spirit of equity. We had 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 only answer to that demand came from the soul of von Tirpitz, -who had replied 'Never!' The speaker demanded the reconsideration of the wrong of Alsace-Lorraine, Germany answered "Never!'' The programme had been acclaimed throughout the Allied countries. Criticism had been hardly heard except from a few who wished Lloyd George had made more extreme demands. The Socialists of France. Britain, and Italy had mainly accepted the demands as fair. Mr Lloyd George emphasised the fact 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 in Germany, where the only commenit had been. 'Behold how England is weakening! Go on and they will come down again." When he suggested that Mesopotamia . and Palestine should never be restored to the tryanny of Ithte Turk. Germany answered "We will go on until they are restored.'' The Premier emphasised that not a single condition contained in the British tTad V " nion war aims had m et with any «&horitative response from Germany. It was significant that there had been % civilian answer from Germany at all. Hindenburg and

Russia Constituent Assembly Meets.

Ludondorff were hurriedly summoned to confer in Berlin, but Kuhlmann was not allowed to speak. That meant that the Prussian military power was dominant. Germany's answer to civilisation would be given from the cannon's mouth. It would be a mistake to harbour any delusions. Let us talk quite freely here amongst the ourselves You might as well stop fighting unless you are going to do it with all your might. It is real murder for the gallant fellows who have stood there for three years. There is no alternative You have either got to put your whole* strength' [into it, or >just do what is being done, in the Russian army, (and tell those brave ifellows they can come home whenever they like. If there are men who say they will not go to the trenches, then men in the trenches have a right to say "neither will we remain here." That would end the war. but what sort of an end. The Russian soldiers had ceased fighting and had fraternised. They simply talked great ideals and principles to the German, army but the Germans had not retreated but they took Riga and the islands. Fraternisation had not prevented the Germans marching forward, and if Petrograd had been nearer they would have had that too. Unless avc were prepared to stand up to the whole might' of the people now dominating Germany, wc should find the democracy of Europe at the mercy of the cruellest military autocracy the world has ever seen. If you sent Hindenburg peace delegations he would just mock your request that he should evacuate Belgium: "You see i n your heart you cannot turn me out of Belgium with trade union resolutions." The answer you can give him is, "Wc can, and will turn you out of Belgium with trade unionists behind them," If any man standing in my place can find an honourable way out this conflict without fighting it through, for heaven's sake let him tell me. My own conviction is that the people must either go on or go under.

PEACE AT GERMANY'S OWN PRICE

ALLIES NOT PREPARED TO PAY

LONDON, Jan 19

Lloyd George, after his speech invited and answered numerous questions regarding the advisability of negotiating with the Germans when the latter were alleged to be whining and squealing for peace. He replied that Germany was alweys ready for peacu at her own price, which we are not prepared to pay. The moment the Germans show a disposition to negotiate one equitable terms there would be no reluctance to negotiate. Asked whether it was not the best way of ascertaining the opinion of the German people to allow British representatives to meet the representatives of other Powers at Stockholm and elsewhere, he replied, pointing out that the German representative would be chosen by the Government. "You can," he said, "only make peace with a Government. If the Government does not represent the people of Germany, let them change it, and if this Government does not represent the people of this country they can change it."

A delegate interjected: "Give us an opportunity."

Lloyd George replied: We have given you the best opportunity in the Franchise Bill, adding eight millions to the electorate. You can have the oportunity a ny time you like.

The Premier was considerably heckled regarding objections to an International Workers' Conference apart from the Government's. He reiterated that all the allies and America agreed that negotiations could only be conducted by representatives of Governments, not sections of the people. Lloyd George emphasised

the difficulty of deciding when it was desirable to enter a peace conference without putting his head into a noose. He was convinced a conference at present would aggravate adn not improve matters. A delegate asked him whether President Wilson's reference to freedom of the seas was according to the views of the British Government.

The Premier replied, emphasising that Britain was in a different position to America, or any Continental country. We must guard most carefully any attempt to interfere with our capacity to protect our shores, shipping overseas, and communications. A delegate asked what was meant by a reconsideration of the position of Alsace-Lorraine

The Premier replied that the British people will stand by France, who considered peace imposible till the question of Alsace-Lorraine was settled.