CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1916, Page 5

CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

A PEACE DISCUSSION, TRASH TALKED BY MR. SXOWDEN. LABOR MEMiSKfiS- VIEW'S Received Keb. 2-1, 5.5 p.m. J;»ntion, Feb. 23. Tn the House of Commons, Mr. Philip Snowdcn, in seconding the Consolidated Bill, initiated a peace discussion. He asked whether it was not possible to end the war on terms and conditions which would realise the objects for which we were fighting. There was no doubt about disinterested motives prompting the people to support the war, and they did not desire an inconclusive peace. The menace of militarism must be removed, and some people believed this could be accomplished without waiting for a decisive victory, which would enable us to dictate terms to a vanquished foe. It was impossible for the Allies to achieve a crushing victory, and it was still less possible for the Central Powers. Even if we were able to crush Germany by force of economic exhaustion, lie asked, was that the best foundation for a lasting settlement? The Government should state more definitely the terms upon which they would consider peace. Mr. C. P. Trevelyan (Labor) remarked that both Mr. Asqnith and Herr von Bcthmann-Hollweg bad let it he known that they were ready to consider peace proposals' that had been put forward by the enemy, but neither would take the first step.

PRIME MINISTER'S REPLY. Mr. Asquith said he was glad that the House had listened to the two speeches patiently, but he would not like it to go forth to the world that the speakers were spokesmen of any substantial body of opinion in this country. He doubted whether either spoke for his own constituency, and they certainly had not spoken for the democracy of Britain. Mr. Snowden had said we had readied a condition of stalemate. It was a matter of opinion, and time would show whether or not he was right. But that estimate oi the situation was not his (Mr. Asquith's). Then Mr. Snowden said that if we are to obtain a victory it could only lead to an inconclusive peace. He (Mr. Asquith) adhered to the full terms of settlement laid down in his Guildhall speech, and not until such a peace was within sight would any of the Allies abate by one jot the prosecution of the war. (Loud cheers). Herr von Beth-mann-Holhveg appeared to have said that he would welcome approaches from other quarters, and then had told his fellow deputies that Germany had not shown herself the enemy of small nations. "SHAMELESS AUDACITY." Received Feb. 24, 8.35 p.m. London, Feb. 23. Mr. Asquith continued: Germany, who annihilated and devastated Belgium; Germany, who had done her best to annihilate and devastate Serbia, Montenegro, and Poland! Such a statement as that of the German Chancellor, under such conditions, was one of colossal and shameless audacity. He was disposed to attach importance to Herr von Beth-mann-Hollwog's imaginary inclinations for peace if they were put forward in proper language and sustained by arguments not so transparently hpyocritical. The other evidence of a desire for peace was in the. attitude of the German Socialists, who were entitled to respect and sympathy, but .these did not amount to much when it was a ease of voting against war credits. He had been asked to state the full terms for peace, and he repeated his 9th of November declaration that "be the journey long or short, we will not pause, nor will we falter; we will not sheath the ewonl until we have secured to the smaller European States their character of independence, and Europe and. the world at large a final emancipation from a reign of force." We could not do more than convince our enemies that not until peace based on these foundations was within sight and attainable, that not until then should we. or our allies abate one jot of the prosecution of the war. (Prolonged applause.) LOYALTY OF LABOR. Mr. S. Walsh (Labor) denied that Mr, Snowden had expressed the opinion of organised Labor. He could not understand what had animated Messrs Snowden and Trevelyan, and declared that the aggressors should make the first proposals for peace. Sir W. P. Bylcs believed that Germany would listen to terms of peace, because she knew that our military superiority was increasing. Negotiations were more likely to end the war than bloodshed and carnage. Hon. A. Murray (Labor) remarked on the evil effects that speeches like Mr. Snowden's would have in encouraging the enemy. Such speeches would be circulated in the trenches. Mr. R. L. Outhwaite thought it would be better to negotiate Germany out of Belgium than to blow her out, as in the latter case Belgium would be. totally destroyed. Mr. Stanton (Labor) said he had listened to the peace speeches with pain and anxiety. His views, thank God, were entirely different, and he regretted that men could say such things in the House, and worse, to the workers. He thought such people ought to be muzzled during the war. Ninety-five per cent, of the worker* were loyal to the Government.