PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1918, Page 6

PEACE TALK.

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS ... MILNE R CRITICISED,. | ~ v y • • , u .. London, Oct. 25, In the House of Commons Major jJavics called attention to Lord Milner's interview in the livening Standard, wherein critics object to Lord Milner's' opinion that a complete transformation of system is already in progress in Germany. We don t wish to see Bolshevism here. Lord Milner also denied that militarism was popular in Germany, and added that a change in the political system cannot be made until the German annies are finally defeated. Such reforms should be left to the German people in accordance with the principle of selfdetermination. Meanwhile * the whole energy of the Allies should be concentrated on the defeat of the German Army;

Major Davies said Lord Milner's sentiments had aroused profound misgivings among the Allies. Mr. Dillon complained that the Government was not making any statement regarding peace. Lord Milner's interview ran counter to President Wilson's conditions of peace, when Lord Milner said it would be unwise for the Allies to make it a condition of peace that Germany should change the personnel or form of her Government. Mr. Dillon strongly criticised Mr. Balfour's speech, wherein he stated that we were not going to return Germany her colonies. To put this forwafrl as the only official ex-' pression of British policy rendered us absolutely contemptible in the face of our Allies.

Mr. Pringle spoke on similar lines. Sir. G. pave, on behalf of the Government, strongly deprecated the discussion. Communications of intense moment were passing between the Governments of our enemies and other Powers. Public discussion upon peace would be wrong. Mr. Balfour had only dealt with the matter of the German colonies because ho thought it was in the public interest, to loako the matter jlear. Mr Bonar Law had said the same thing several times. The House of Commons lias adjourned. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable As3n.