MOTHER COUNTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1918, Page 5

MOTHER COUNTRY.

ALLIES' WAR AIMS. BRITISH PREMIER'S STATEMENT. INDEPENDENCE OF ARABIA, ARMENIA AND MESOPOTAMIA. London, Jan. -C, Mr Lloyd George, continuing his speech, ?aid:—While we don't challenge the | maintenance of the Turkish Empire in i tJho 'homelands, of the Turkish race, with a capital at Constantinople, nor the passage 'between the Mediterranean and the Black Sea being internationalised and neutralised, Arabia, Armenia and Mesopotamia are, in our judgment, entitled to recognition of their separate national conditions. The exact form of such recognition in each particular case need not here be discussed beyond stating that it is impossible to restore thesp territories tc their former sovereignity. THE GERMAN COLONIES. Regarding the German colonies, I have repeatedly declared that they are liekl for disposal by a conference, whose decision must have primary regard to the wishes and interests of the native inhabitants. None of those territories is inhabited by Europeans, therefore the governing consideration in all these cases must be that ETie inhabitants should be placed under the control of an administration acceptable to themselves, one whose main purposes will be to prevent exploitation for the benefit of European capitalists or governments. The natives should live in their various tribal organisations under chiefs or councils who are competent to consult and speak for their tribes, and thug represent their wishes and interests regarding their disposal. The general principle of national self-determination therefore was as applicable in their cases as those of occupied European territories. The German declaration that the natives of German colonies have through their military fidelity in the war shown their attachment to and resolve under all circumstances to remain with Germany is applicable not to the German colonies generally, but to only one of them, namely, German East Africa, and in that case the German authorities secured the attachment, not of the native population ae a whole, which remains profoundly anti-German, 'but only of small warlike classes from whom their Askaris, or soldiers, are selected. These they attached to themselves by conferring upon them highly privileged positions as against the bulk of the native population, which enabled the Askaris to assume lordly oppressive superiority over the rest of the natives. By this and other means they secured the attachment of a very small and insignificant minority, whose interests were directly opposed to the rest of the population, for whom they have no right to speak. The German treatment of the native populations in their colonies was such as amply justified their fear to submitting tlhe future of those colonies to the wishes of the natives themselves.

REPARATION FOR INJURIES. "Finally there must be reparation for injuries done by the violation of international law. The Peace Conference must not forget our seamen and the services they have rendered and tie outrages they have suffered for the common cause of freedom." ALTERNATIVE TO WAR NEEDED. Mr. Lloyd George regarded it especially regrettable that the recently reported proposals of the Central Powers contained no reference to permanent ■peace after the war. It is desirable, indeed it is essential, that t'he post-war settlement shall not contain the seed of a future war; but that is not enough. However wisely and well we make territorial and other arrar.~~ents there still remain many subjects of international controversy. Economic conditions after the war will be difficult in the highest degree. Owing to the diversion of human efforts to war there mast follow a world shortage of raw materials, which! will increase the longer the wav lasts. It is inevitable i'hat countries controlling raw materials will desire to help themselves and tlieir friends first. Moreover whatever settlement is made v.ill be suitable only to the eircumstaivtM wherewider it is made, and as circumstances change changes in settlement will be necessary as long a 3 the possibility of dispute between nations continues In other words as long as men and women arr; dominated by passion and ambition, >'""•1 w ar is the only mean-i of settling a fiispute, all nations must live under the burden not only of having to engage in war time after time but of being compelled to prepare for a possible outbreak. The crushing weight of modem armaments, the increasing evil of compulsory military service, and. the vast waste or wealth and effort involved in warlike preparations, tihese are blots on our civilisation of which every thinking individual must be ashamed. For these and similar reasons we are confident that a great attempt must be made to establish by some international organisation an alternative to war as a means of settling international disputes. After all, war is a relic of barbarism, and just as law succeeded violence iu individual disputes so we . believe it is destined ultimately to replace war in the settlement of controversies between nations. A JUST AND LASTING PEACE. If then we are asked what we are fighting for we reply as w e have often replied; "For a just and lasting peace," land we believe that before peace can

be hoped for three conditions must be fulfilled—firstly, the samtity of treaties must be re-established; second, territorial settlement must be secured based on the right of aelf-dctemimition or content of the governed; lastly, we must reek by the creation of some international organisation to limit the burden of armaments and diminish the probability of war. On these conditions the British Empire would welcome peace. To secure these conditions our peoples are prepared to make even greater sacrifices than they 1 have yet endured. THE LOST COLONIES. NATIVES UNDTSSIROUS OF GERMAN SWAY. Reuter Service. deceived Jan. 8, 1.50 a.m. London, Jan, 7. The Daily Telegraph says that 110 passage from Mr. Lloyd George's speeches will excite greater anger in Germany than that relating to the principle) of self-determination being applicable to the lost colonies, for few tribal assemblies, whether in Africa or Australasia, betray ■ any desire to return to the sway of their > German taskmasters. FRANCE ENTHUSIASTIC. DISPELLED MISCHIEVOUS GOSSIP. Received Jan. 8, 12.10 a.m. Paris, Jan. 7. Mr. Lloyd George's speech was received with enthusiasm by the press, which has dispelled a good deal of current gossip as to Britain evading her definite pledge in I support of the restoration of AlsaceLorraine. The references to the German colonies assuredly do not err on the side of immoderation, but the people of the Dominions should remember that it General Smuts assents to the terms it may be presumed there will be an open way to a safe settlement. M. Clemenceau, the Premier, cabled Mr. Lloyd George the heartiest congratulations of all Frenchmen upon his admirable speech, wherein the true facts are [ so happily assembled. i , ________ ; THE MAN-POWER PROPOSALS. I LABOR DISTINCTLY FAVORABLE. United Service. Received Jan. 8, 12.10 a.m. London, Jan. 7. The Laborites are distinctly favorable to the Government's outlined man-power proposals. A series of sectional trade conferences will follow, whereat details will be discussed with Sir Auckland Geddes.

PRESS COMMENTS. BERLIN MUST ANSWER. London, .Tan. C. The newspapers agree that Mr. Llovd George's speech is momentous and historic. They describe it as unexpected In scope and immediate gTavity viewed from the standpoint of a choice presented between a possibility of a settlement and a war protracted and redoubled. Now that the Allies' irreducible minimum is distinctly deiined the onus is put on the enemy. There must now be an answer from Berlin which cannot fail to have a far-reaching effect on the world's whole future. EFFECTIVE REPLY TO CZERIN. New York, Jan. 6. The New York Times' Washington correspondent states that there is a consensus of opinion that Lloyd George's speech is a most effective counteratroke to Count Czerin, but does not add anything to previous utterances, and does not bring peace any nearer. The speech may be followed by similar statements from France, Italy, and America.

LABOR DIFFICULTIES. A TANGLE OF CLAIMS London, Jan. 8. The granting of a 124 per cent, war bonus to skilled engineers in October Oias created a tangle of claims from other industrial sections, accentuating the labor difficulties. Meanwhile the exorbitant wages of piece-workers fans the flame. Instances are quoted of men at Sheffield earning £3O to £45 weekly. The new bonuses, at the present rate of progression, are estimated to cost the country £100,000,000. DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS. Received Jan. 8, 12.25 a.m. London, Jan. 7. The Daily Chronicle's parliamentary correspondent predicts that Lord Crewe | will be appointed Ambassador to Paris, and Mr. Henderson to Petrograd. The latter is unlikely to accept the position, owing to the critical stage of the Labor Party's evolution.