THE WAR.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21ST, 191IO,
WHY BRITAIN ENTERED THE
WAR.
After pointing out that the speech in which these peace proposals were suggest ed resounded to the boast of a Prussian
THE NEW GOVERNMENT. The Premier proceeded to refer to tho new Government, remarking that he was anxious, in doing so, to avoid all issues that excited irritation, controversy or
FOOD PROBLEM SERIOUS,- The food problem was undoubtedly serious, and would be grave unless not merely the Government, but the nation was prepared to grapple with it courage-
MR. ASQUITH'S' VIEW. Mr. Asquith (the ex-Premier) who
lated him upon kis accession to the succeeded Mr. Lloyd George, congratu Premiership and defined his own attie
PEA CEF military triumph, Mr. Lloyd George de- disunion. It must not be assumed that ously without loss of time. He pointed tude towards the new Government as the
BRITAIN AND
MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S REPLY TO GERMANY.
FULL REPARATION MUST BE GUARANTEED.
GREEK SITUATION STILL DELICATE.
General.
LATEST CABLES. (THROCOK REUTER'S AGENCY.] GERMANY'S PEACE
PROPOSALS.
wished for "time to assimilate his con-
was not the
most
friendliest. He defended the late Administration against accusations of clared: We must keep a steadfast eye be accepted no complete the accounts out that the available barvest of the upon the purpono for which we entered which had been given of the way in world had failed, and the surplus avail ineffective prosecution of tht war, and, the war, otherwise the great sacrifices we which the Government was formed. He able for export from Canada and the referring to the peace proposals, said they were wrapped up with the familiar was convinced that the controversies of United States had dininished to a dins dialect of Prussian arrogance. Ho asked have been making will have been in vain.
trous extent, The Argentine promised why the Power professing itself conscious of its military superiority and ultimate The German Note states that it was for the past would not help in regard to the the defence of their existence and freedom future. Therefore, so far as he was con- badly, Russia was not available, and victory was shouting universally for for national development that the Central oerned, he placed them on one side. He Austral meant an almost prohibitive peace. Amid cheers-he declared that the proposals were born of military and Peace must be Powers were constrained to take up arme. proceeded to speak of the unusual charac-transport. Our own harvest was a poor economic necessity. Such phrases defeat even those who penter and composition of the Government one, and he did not believe that more honourable, not shamefaced, no patched achieving the purpose for which wo them. They are intended to delude the as an executive body. The House, had than three-cigths of the usual sowing up, precarious compromise, but one It was true, to entered the war. Such a peace we would German nation' into supporting the de realised that there had been a separation had taken place.
Anything short of that signs of the Prussian military caste between the functions of the Premier and a certain extent, that you could make gladly accept.
wo were bound to repudiato by every Who ever wished to put an end to Gerthe Leader of House. That was because up by spring sowing, but that ever obligation of honour, above all by the debt we awed to those, especially to the young, who had given their lives for many's national existence or freedom for these two ollices were more than one-man produced anything comparable to win-
There were three ter owing. The submarine menace what they and we believe is worthy national development? We welcomed could undertake.
this respect
I say plainly and emphatically that I see nothing in the German Note their development, as long as it was along characteristics in which the present ad- in the paths of peace. The Allies chtered ministration might be said to have de important to consider. Under these to give me the least reason to believe
the mood
give the Allies reparation for the past and this war to defend Europe against aggres parted, perhaps, from prodent. First, circumstances the late Government decid. that they are
If they are in on and Frussian military domination, there was the concentration of the executo appoint a Food Controller, and the security for the future.
(Loud, and, having begun it, they must insistive in a very few hands. Second, there was latter was assisted by the ablest experts such a mood, let them say so." that only the attainment of that cad is the choosing of men of administrative in the House. At the head of the Board the most complete and effective guarantee and business capacity rather than men of of Agriculture they had Ho
against the possibility of that caste ever Parliamentary experience, where they was singularly gifted, and who had as again disturbing the peace of Europe.
were unable to obtain buth, for the head- thorough a knowledge of the principles (Cheers.)
ship of a great department. Third, there and practices of this question as any man was a more frank and fuller recognition in this or any other country.
The problem is a double one, namely, ment. No Government of this country both we must call upon the people of the country to make real sacrifices, but it is of partnership of Labour in the Govern distribution and production. Respecting
equal. (Cheers.) Over-consumption by a shortage for the less well-to-do" He the afflucut must not be allowed to create hoped he could appeal to the men and women of all ranks to play the game. (Cheers) Without the help of the whole nation we could accomplish nothing. The whole nation must assist us so to
serve in working his nefarious schemes his favourite device was to appear in the guise of the angel of peace. He usually uppoured under those conditions when he quests or to reorganise his forces for fresh conquests, or, secondly, when his BRITISH PREMIER'S abjects showed symptoms of fatigue and SCATHING REPLY. war weariness. The appeal was always COMPLETE REPARATION made in the name of humanity.
demanded an end to bloodshed, at which he professed himself to be horrified, but for which he himself was mainly respon-
NECESSARY.
LONDON, December 20th. The new Premier (Mr. Lloyd George) and he appeared before the House with the most terrible responsibility. that
sible. Our ancestors were taken in once, and bitterly they and Europe rue it
man who
cheers.)
EARLIER CABLES. PARLIAMENT AND PEACE PROPOSALS,
A MEMORABLE MEETING.
LONDON, December 19th. A record attendance is expected at to-day's meinorable meeting of the House
could fall on the shoulders of any living The time was devoted to reorganising his bours, with her belt ostentatiously. full of had ever contained such a large repre- essential that the sacrifices should be of Commons,
forece for a deadlier attack than ever upon the liberties of Furope. Examples of that kind cause us to regard this Note with a considerable measure of reminiscent disquietude.
ย
man as the Chief Adviser of the Crown in the midst of the most gigantic war the country had ever been engaged in- a war upou the result of which ita destiny depended. It was the greatest
BRITAIN'S TERMS, was that had ever been waged, its
We feel we ought to know, before we burdens were the heaviest eror cast upon can give favourable consideration to such factor the Prussians were with the con- the war. Previous Administrations had distribute our resources that there shall
this or any other country, while the issues were the gravest that over attached to any conflict in which humanity had been involved. The responsibilitics of the new Government had been suddenly accentuated by the declaration of the
war
can
The mere word that lend Belgium to her own destruction will not satisfy repeat Europe any more. We all believed it,
Mr. Asquith will probably be present, and Mr. Lloyd George, who was work- ing yesterday, is likely to speak for two hours. Hi, reference to the German peace offering will be the first official announcement on the Note, which was presented to the Foreign Office yesterday. FRANCE RECEIVES PEACE NOTE.
PARIS, December 19th. The American Ambassador has handed the Foreign Office the German Peace Note, which is indentical to Dr. Reichstag, consisting of a general pro Bethmann Hollweg's statement in pesal, with no concrete conditions,
the
Prussia, since she got into the hands of that caste has been a bad neighbour arrogant, Elireatoning, bullying; shifting feld after another from weaker neigh boundaries at her will; taking one fair
weapons of offence, and ready at monent's notice to use them. She has sentation of Labour. They realized that always been an unpleasant and disturb it was impossible to conduct the war with ing neighbour in Europe. (Bear, hear.).
It is difficult for those living thousand, out getting the complete and unqualified Also, they wore of miles away to underetand what it has support of Labour. meant to those who lived near her. Even anxious to obtain Labour's assistance and here, with the protection of the broad seas- between us, we know what a disturbing counsel for the purpose of the conduct of
be no man, woman and child who will stant naval mennoe; but even we
been peace structures, organised for a suffer hunger because someone else is an invitation, that Germany is prepared hardly realise what it has meant to
Now that this different purpose and in different condi- getting too much." (Cheers.) Regarding to secede to the only terms on which it is France and Russia.
has been forced by the Prustions. Craft suitable for river or canal production, every available square yard must be made to produce food. All who possible for pence to be obtainable, and
គន់មក military leaders upon. France, maintained, in Europe. These terms have Russia, Italy and ourselves, it would was not exactly the kind of vessel for had the opportunity must regard it as a and contributing to the common stock. this swashbuckling through the streets been repeatedly stated by all the leading cruel felly not to see to it that high sea. He was not here referring duty to the State to assist in producing statesmen of the Allies. Mr. Asquith of Europe to the disturbance of all harm to the Inst Cabinet, but to the old system If this were done we should have food has stated them repeatedly. It is im-less and peaceful citizens shall be dealt of Cabinets, where the heads of every without any privation, without any want,
with now as an offence against the law department were represented inside the everybody having plenty of the best and The Balkans.
healthiest food. It means sacrifices, but
LATEST CABLES. portant that there should be no mistake of antiona. (Cheers.)
Cabinet. He was convinced that the new what sacrifices? Talk to a man who has
[THROUGH REUTER ́S AGENCY.) in a matter of life and death to
been through the haunting wretchedness millions. Therefore I will
form of Government was the best for returned from the Somme, or who has
THE GREEK SITUATION. them again, namely, complete restitution we all trusted it, but it gave way to the war, where quick decision was necessary of a winter campaign, and you will know (Hear,
ATHENS, December 20th. has been plunged into the vortex of
Groeso has addressed to the Entente a and full reparation and effectual gazran- first pressure of temptation, and Europe above everything. He declared that the something of what those gallant men are hear.) They are enduring much, and
Note reviewing the situation since the tres. Did the German Chancellor use a blood. We will, therefore, wait until wees suffered disaster after disaster enduring for their country.
man Government offer other than those,
You cannot run a war with a Sanhedrim.fort and security. You cannot have aben-acceptance of the ultimatum, and the single phrase indicating that he was hear what terms and guarantees the Ger through tardiness in decision and action.hazarding all while we are living in com
lute equality of sacrifice in war, but you difficulties resulting from events in the The better than those, surer than those which prepared to accept such a peace ? very substance and style of the speech she so lightly broke, and meantime we That was the meaning of a Cabinet of can have equal readiness to sacrifice. Let islands and from the delay in the forma constitute a denial-of peace on the only shall put our trust in an unbroken army five, and one of its members deing sentry the nation as a whole place its comforts, tion of the Entente a demanda of repara
rather than in a broken faith. (Loud
duty outside. It had been suggested its luxuries, its indulgencies, its elegances tion, and the maintenance of a blockade. on & National altar, consecrated by such The Government implies that it may be there was danger of lack of co-ordination, sacrifices as our heroes have made. Let compelled to suspond the southward terms on which peace is possible. He is cheers.) not even conscious now that Germany
Lent. The nation will be the better and of the present situation. but he pointed out that it was the old us proclaim during the war a national movement of troops pending a solution has committed any offence against the Listen to this
practice to have Heads of Departments stronger for it, mentally, morally and phy- (Cheers.) Our armies might rights of free nations, from the Note: Not for an instant
"Let us for a moment look at the worst,outside the Cabinet, and whenever anysically.
of France and across the devastated plains have the Central Powers swerved from The Roumanian blunder was unfortun thing concerned a particular Department drive the enemy from the hattered villages the conviction that respect of rights of late, but at the wurst it prolongs the the head of that department could attend other nations is not in any degree of the war, I cannot help boping an Executive Committee to discuss the compatible with their own rights and that it may even have salutary effects in problems requiring solution. He thought calling the attention of the Adies to this a very effective practice, and much obvious defects in their organisation; not legitimate interests." discover that! Where was the respect for merely in the organisation of each, but better, especially at a time of war, tha rights of other nations in Belgium and in the organisation of the whole, If it keeping men away from their Depart does that, and braces them to fresh effort, That was self-defence, 1 supit may prove, bad as it is, a blessing.nents discussing things which did not He emphasized pose. Menaced by the overwhelming That is the worst it has been-a real set directly concern them. armies of Belgium--(laughter.)-I sup-back. It is the one cloud-well, it is the that henceforth there would be no dis clearing horizon. We are doing our best and the War Cabinet. There was not the
• Any man, or set of men, who wantonly pose the Germans had been intimidated darkest cloud and it appeared on a tinction between the old War Committes into invading Belgium, burning Bel- to make it impossible that that disaster slightest attempt to depart, in any part
always be or without sufficient cause prolonged &gium's citics and villages, the massacre of should lead to anything worse. That is cular, from the complete control of
We supreme. thousands of inhabitants, both old and why we have taken, in the last few days, Parliament, which
this very strong action in Greece,
Mr. Lloyd George stated that the the were. investigating and carrying survivors into mean to take no risks there. We have cleanse. On the other hand, it is equally bondage. They were carrying them into decided to take definite and decisive | Government
action and I think it has succeeded. We French system whereby Ministers had to true that any man ur set of men who slavery at the moment when this Note have decided to recognise the agents of appear before Parliamentary Committees, hoped to be able to make an announcer
they could give an account which they was being written about the unswerving that great Greek statesman, Venezelos, where questions could be asked them, and conviction as to the respect of the rights
would not cure to give in public. It was possible they might refer the matter to Parliament for settlement.
German Chancellor, whose statement in the Reichstag had been followed by the Note presented to us by the United States without comment. The answer, proceeded the Premier, will be given by the Government in full accord with our brave Allies, “Naturally there has been an interchange of views not upon the Note, because it has only recently arrived, but upon the speech which propelled it, and, inasmuch as the Note itself is practically only a reproduction, or portainly a paraphrase, of that speech, the subject-matter of the Note itself has been discussed formally. I am very glad to be able to state that we have each, separately and independently, arrived at identical conclusions. I am very glad that the first answer was given by France and Russia, for they have unquestionably the right to give the first answer to such an invitation, because the enemy is still on their soil and their sacrifices have That answer has been already published, and on behalf of the British Government I give our clear and definite support to it.
been greater.
terrible conflict like this would have un his soul a crime that oceans could not
until that time."
PAST EXPERIENCES.
Serbia 7
young,
When did they
LOOKING AT THE WORST SIDE. Britain never appeared at her best except when she was confronted with a real danger and understood it.
war; it does aut alter the fundamental
(Cheers.)
GLORIOUS LESSONS OF THE WESTERN FRONT.
must
EARLIER CABLES.
GERMAN CLAIM. BIG CAPTURES OF MEN AND
MATERIAL.
LONDON, December 19th. A German official report states:
repulsed. We have captured a thousand Russians and Roumanians and many food-laden vehicles in Wallachia in the last two days,
Russiar, attacks at Valeputna have been
of Belgium, they might hurl them across the nation as whole shoulders part of the the Rhine in battered disarray, but unless burden of victory will not profit by the triumph, for it is not what a nation it great." (Loud cheers.)
The Premier proceeded to say that it gains, it is what a nation gives that makes was intolerable the any section should be permitted to make exceptional profits
The Russo-Roumanians have continued out of these Berifices. Much had been
Government had come to the conclusion Danube. unfair private profiteering, but the and we are advancing towards the lower
THE GREEK CRISIS. done by the late Administration to arrest their retreat northwards in Dobrudia that they could not ask the nation for more sacrifices without even more drastic. After outlining steps yot being taken, what had already been done to meet this situation, Mr. Lloyd George stated that Mr. Bonar Law and others were nov carefully examining the problem, and he
It was quite ment intended to adopt. ment shortly of the course the Govern- clear that the nation must be asked to meke further sacrifices in order to win the war, and the road must be cleared by action of this kind.
ATHERS, December 19th. The situation is uncertain. Tho En- tente diplomats are exchanging views regarding the second Note.
The Press now describes the situation ment to take vigorous measures to ter- as impossible, and urges the Gover minato it.
NEW ULTIMATUM READY.
LONDON, December 10th, Router learns that the draft of the new, ultimatum to Greece is settled, and that its presentation is imminent Branco-gelgtan Front.
EARLIER CABLES, (THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.] GERMAN ADMISSION. RECAPTURE OF CHAMBRETTES FARM.
Losous, December 19th
A Berlin official communiqué - admits,
from a sense of weariness or despair abandoned the struggle without achieving the highest purpose for which he entered of other antions. Are these outrages the it would have been guilty of the costliest
.legitimate interest of Germany 1 We
WORK OF THE GOVERNMENT.
MOBILISING LABOUR RESERVES," I should like to say one word about act of poltroonery ever perpetrated by
must know that it is not the moment for
the lessons of the fighting on the western
Coming to the work of the Government,
The Prime Minister next turned to the I should like to quote ay statesman;
pease if excuses of this kind, for palpable front, about the significance of the whole Ms. Lloyd George referred to the Minis the very well-known words uttered by crimes, can be put forward two-and-a-half of that great struggle, one of the greatest try of Labour, and said he hoped this question of the mobilisation of Labour no mistake, we should not be able to Abraham Lincoln under similar condi-
years after the exposure, by grim facts, ever waged in the history of the world.artment would not confae itself Reserves, without which, let there be It is full of encouragement and hope merely to settling disputes. He hoped it pull through. This was a question.net tions: "We accepted this war for an
of the guarantee. Is there, I ask in all Just look at it. An absolutely new army would become, in a real sense, a Ministry of years but of months, perhaps of weeks, object, and a world object, and the war. solemnity, any guarantee that similar The old had done its duty and spent with the well-being of Labour in its and unless the labour of the country was will end when that object is attained subterfuges will not be used in future to itself in the achievement of that great charge. He also hoped the Department used to the best advantage, and every overthrow any treaty of peace you may task. This is a new army. But a year would take a leading part in assisting man called upon to render such service under. God. I hope it will never end enter into with Prussian militarism ago it was oro in the earth of Britain, in the mobilisation of Labour for the
to the State as he can best give, victory. purposes of the war. In regard to ship is beyond our reach. The problem was This Note, and the speech, prove that not yea, and of Ireland.. It became iron.
a difficult one. To complete what had yet have they learned the very alphabet (Cheers.) of respect for rights of others." (Cheers.)
It has passed through & fiery furnace ping, he emphasized that it was never
so vital to the life of the nation as at already been done, the speaker main- present, and the Government, felt the tained that the Government ought to Are we likely continued Mr. Lloyd Without reparation peace is impossible, and the enemy knows it is now fiae George--to achieve that object by accept canity en land and sea to be liquidat aasi, new officers, generals new to this
time had come to take more complete have the power to say that every man (Cheers.) Are all these outrages against steel. (Cheers.) This new army, new ing the German Chancellor's invifationed by a few pious phrases about kind of work, have faced. the greatest control of all the ships of Britain, and who was not taken into the army, what that the French have recaptured Chan What are the proposals? There are none. humanity? Is there to be no reckoning army in the world, the best equippel, place them in practically the same posi ever his position or rank, was really brette Farm.
for them!
Are we to grasp the hand the best trained, and have beaten them, To enter a conference on the invitation that perpetrated these atrocities, in beaten them, beaten them. (Loud cheers shipping would be Nationalised in the importance. At present it was only the of Germany proclaiming herself victori- friendship, without any reparation being Battle after hattle, day after day, week reat sense of the term. The prodigious man who was fit for military service, the Bame moral ous without any knowledge of the pro- tendered or given? Germany leaves us to after week in the strongest entrenchments profits which were made out of freights and who had not established & claim for
exact damage for all future violence 'com-
ever devised by human skill, they have contributed largely to the high cost of exemption, upon whom the nation could commodities, and made it difficult for call. The unfit man and exempted man
wero surely under posals she intends to make is to put mitted after the war. We have already driven them out by valour which is in the Government to induce organised obligation, but still there were no means It was with this our heads into a noose with the rope-eads begun. It has cost us much, and we must credible. That is something which give labour to give up privileges. Undue and of enforcing it.
us hope, which flls you all with pride in Germany's hands. This country is exact it now so as not to leave auch a
were called upon to tolerable in war time. Sir Joseph Maclay man power that grim inheritance to our children. Much in the nation to which they belong. It extravagant profits in shipping were in imperfect organisation of our industrial not: only who not altogether without experience in these as we all long for peace, and deeply as is a fact, and it is a fact full of sign was conferring with the Admiralty and confront
exercised to the full his undoubted right we are horrified with the war, this Note, ficanos for us and for the foc. (Cheers the Shipping Control Committes, and he matters. This is not the first time that
and the speech which heralded it, do not The enemy has seen that army grow (Mr. Lloyd George) hoped soon to be able over his own population, but had intro- we have fought against a great military afford us much encouragement and hope under his very eyes. They ate becoming to inform the House of the plans be reduced a practice hitherto unknown in veterans, and, therefore, basing our cou commended not only for a more effective civilised warfare, of removing civilian
LONDON, December 10th, despotism overshadowing Europe, and it for an honourable and lasting peace.
What hope is given in that speech The fidence upon these facts, I am as con-utilisation of ships already on the Regis inhabitants from occupied territory to
It is stated that an independent will not be the first time that we have whole root and cause of this great bitter- vinced as I ever was of ultimate. victoryfer, but also for the speedy construction make good the shortage of labour in his
own factory.
estimate by the British General Staff of helped to overthrow a military despotism. ness the arrogant spitit of the Prussian if the nation proves as steady, as valor of more atips to replace wastage.
the German losses on the Somme sub Regarding coal mines, the Government We can recall one of the greatest of these military caste--will it not be as dominant ous, as ready to sacrifice and learn and
[The speech was not concluded when stantially coincides with the French un- felt they ought to assume a more direct as over if we patch up peace now!" endure as that great army on
we went to press.]
official estimates of 630,000, control over the whole industry. Somme." (Loud cheers.) despots. When he had a purpose to (Cheers.)
the
tion as railways, so that, during the war, employed
an
оп
work of
enemy
National
FRENCH ACTIVITIES.
December 19th. A French communiqué paym The enemy has bombarded the recipe of Lovemont and Chambrettes
Two enemy seroplanes were brought, down at Verdun, and our air xrandren!
Montmedy, Dunsur-Meuse and bivouaca at Azannes. heavily bombed the railway stations at
THE SOMME FIGHTING. HUGE ENEMY LOSSES,
and