MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1917, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

BRITAIN AND THE WAR. WAS HER PARTICIPATION WORTH WHILE. ONLY IF A DURABLE PEACE IS ESTABLISHED. Received Dec. 12, 7.5 p.m. London, Dec. 11. Mr. Asqutth, speaking at Birmingham, said history will ask:- Was it worth Britain's while to enter the war? He. answered undoubtingly and unhesitatingly Yos," only provided the war ended in a peace securing t'hc attainment of Britain's original purposes, and containing in itself safeguards for its own permanence, Such a peace was the wnr! I's supreme need. There was no greater enemy'to humanity than anyone who, by word or net, made it more ditflcult to achieve such a peace. Referring to Lord Lansdowne's letter, he paid a tribute to Lord Lansdowne's patriotism. He himself had no knowledge of the letter till it was published. He had no responsibility for its terms. Much criticism had arisen owing to people reading into the letter meanings and intentions be (Mr. Asquith) did not understand it to convey. He thought Lord Lansdowne's main argument iva« that the Allies, while warring vigorously, purposefully Should make it increasingly clear to the world that their o'.vn war aims were rational and unselfish, that !>v the attainment thereof we were convinced v,c might look for a durable peace, safeguarded by the conjoint authority of an international league. Even now there was abundant evidence to prove that th# enemy peoples were being kept in the dark regarding our real purposes, both for war and peace.

He would continue to do what he could to rai*c the veil and let in the light. He proceeded to point out that 'nobody threatened the existence, independence, or the peaceful enterprise of Germany. What we were concerned with was the system which enthroned force, its sovereign authority holdi.'.g itself free for the pursuit of its supposed interests to falsify, deride, or supersede, according to the exigences of the hour, the most solemn pacts. This svstem must end. Germanv must learn IHt it (foes not "ay. If, it is to lie a real and or.durmg pact there must bs something more than a paper document.

"FREEDOM OF THE SEAS." nOW IT IS BEING VIOLATED. Received Dee. 12, 11.5 p.m. London, Dee. 12. Mr. Asqnith continued: Another- misconception is that the Allies, especially Britain, arc aiming at the destruction of what is vagaely called "the freedom of the soas." In peace time the seas are open to the marine of all nation:. . What stipula.-jns Would Britain propose in the per.K terms to curtail or fetter this immemorial right? Tho formub. can.only be Used to indicate a new limitation in war time upon tho belligerent rights of tho power which happens to command the sea. .Where the existing conventions of the most solemn character have been systematically violated by the enemy, it is worth while considering whether something might not be done to secure the freedom ox the seas from the prosecution of a !"'vl: v 9 and infamous submarine campaign. JNCREASE IN NAVY. 50,000 SAILORS ADDED. tteceived Dec. 12, 7.50 p.m. London, Dec. 11. The House of Commons has agreed to vote an additional 50,000 sailors for the navy. A FURTHER CREDIT VOTE. London, Deo. 11. A new vote of credit for 550 millions sterling will be asked for in the House of Commons. BRITISH PRISONERS IN GERMANY. London, Dec. 11. Mr. Masphcrson states that ihe British prisoners in Germany number 1863 officers and 41, men, in Turkey 340 officers and 1050 men, in Bulgaria 42 officers and 580 men, in Austria 12 officers and 74 men. The captures last month are included in these figures. - LABOR AND THE FOOD PROBLEM. London, Dec. 11. A Labor demonstration, at which Messrs: Tillet, Anderson arid Thomas vigorously protested against Vhc food administration, which allowed some to get plenty and others to go short, passed a resolution in favor of democratically elected control boards, also that the State and inuuicipalities, in conjunction with the co-operative movement, should organise the production and distribution of foodstuffs. One prominent Laborite hinted at a j down-tools policy if matters were not improved.