1918-01-07 — Page 10

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EARLIER TELEGRAMS.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE ON BRITAIN'S. WAR AIMS.

London, January 5.

Mr. Lloyd George made an important statement to-day, on behalf of the Government, on war aims before the Trades Union delegates at Westminster who are at present con-. sidering the question of man power.

*

The Fremier began by saying that when the Government invited organised labour to further assist and maintain the strength of the armies in the Seld its representatives were" entitled to ask that any, misgivings regarding the purpose for which this precious strength was to be applied should be made definitely clear. This was also true of all the citizens of the country. "When millions are being called to suffer and die and vast populations subjected to sufferings and pri vations unprecedented in history, they are entitled to know the causes for which they are making those sacrifices, Only the clearest, and greatest and most just of causes could justify the continuance even for one day of this inspeakable agony of nations. We have arrived at a most critical hour of the terrible conflict and before any Government takes a fateful decision regarding conditions under which it ought either to terminate or continue the struggle, it ought to satisfy itself that the conscience of the nation is behind these con- ditions, for nothing else could sustain the necessary effort to achieve a righteous end this fear? Therefore during the last few days he had taken special pains to ascertain the view and attitude representative of all, sections of thought and opinion in the country. He had perused in detail with labour leaders the meaning and intention of that declaration. He had also discussed the same momentous question with Mr. Asquith, Viscount Grey and representatives of the great Dominions overseas and as a result of these discussions there was a natural agreement as regards the 'character and purpose of our war aims and peace conditions and in what he was about say he was speaking not merely the mind of the Government, but the nation and Empire as a whole.

"what He would commerce by stating

We were not fighting for. We were not fighting a war of aggression against the German people. The destruction or disruption of Germany or the German people had never been one of our war aims. Most reluctantly and quite unprepared for the dreadful ordeal we were forced into war. It was in self-defence, in defence of the violated public law of Europe. the vindication of most solemn treaty obligations on which the public system of Europe rested and on which Germany ruthlessly trampled in the "invasion of Belgium. We had to join the struggle or see brute force triumph over public right and international justice. It was only the realisation of the dreadful alternative that forced Britain into the war. From that original attitude Britain had never swerved. It was not our wish to question or destroy the great positions Germany. held in the world, but rather to turn her from her hopes and schemes of military domination and see her devote all her strength to the great beneficent tasks of the World We are not fighting to destroy Austria Hungary or deprive Turkey of Constantinople or of the rich and renowed lands of Asia Minor and Thrace which are pre- dominantly Turkish racially. Nor did we go to War merely to alter or destroy the imperial constitution of Germany, much as we consider that a military antocratic constitution is a dangerous anachronism in the twentieth century. Our viewpoint is that the adoption of a really democratic con- stitution by Germany would be most convincing evidence that her old spirit of military domination had died and would make it much easier to conclude a broad democratic peace with her, but that in a question for the German people to decide. Despite many adjurations from opponents and neutrals, the Central Empires maintain complete silence as to the object for which they are fighting. They uniformly declined to give any trustworthy information even upon so crucial a matter as their intention as regards Belgium. The oaly clear thing in the vague reports of the recent enemy peace conditions was that under no circumstances would the "German demand" for the restoration of her ..colonies be given up. All the principles of self determination /.

here vanish into thin air. Mere lip service to the formula no annexations, no indemnities, or the right of self-deter mination is useless. Before any negotiations can be be gun the Central Powers must realise the essential facts of the situation. The days of the Treaty of Vienna are long past. We cannot longer submit the future of Europe and civilisation to arbitrary decisions of a few negotiators, striv ing to secure by chicanery or persuasion the interest of this or that dynasty of nation.

bas-

AN

The settlement of new Europe must be ed on such

of.. reason ground

and justice give some promise of stability. Therefore we feel that Government with the consent of the governed must be basis of any territorial settlement after the war. Unless every nation is prepared at whatever sacrifices to honour ita national signature it is obvious that no peace treaty will be worth the paper on which it is written. Therefore the frat requirement of Britain and her Allies is the complete restoration, political, territorial and economic, of the inde- pendence of Belgium and such reparation as can be made for the devastation of its towns and provinces. This is not a demand for a war indemnity like that imposed in 1871. It is not an attempt to shift the cost of warlike operations from one belligerent to another, which may or may not be de- fensible. It is no more and no less than an insistance that before there can be any hope of a stable peace this great breach of the public laws of Europe must be repudiated and as far as possible repaired. Reparation means recognition. Unless international riglit is recognised by insistence on payment for injury done in defiance of its canons it cat never be a reality. Next comes the restoration of Ber- bia, Montenegro and the occupied parts France, Italy and Rumania. The complete withdrawal of alien armies and reparation for the injustice done is a fundamental condition of permanent peace. We mean to stand by the French de- mocracy to death in the demand they make for reconsidera tion of the great wrong of 1871, when, without any regard of the wishes of the population, two French provinces were torn from France and incorporated in the German Empire. This sore has poisoned the peace of Europe for half a cen-. tury and until it is eured healthy conditions will not be restor ed. There can be no better illustration of the folly and wickedness of using transient military success to violate national right.

*I won't attempt to deal with the question of the brein territi ries under German occupation Busaian policy since the revolution has prased through so many phases the it is difficult to speak without some suspension of judgment as regards what the situation will be when the final European pesca, terms are discussed. Russia accepted war with its horrors because, true to her traditional guard... ianship of weaker communities of her race, she stepped in to protect Serbis from the plot against her independence. France true to treaty conditions stood by her ally in a quare rel nat her own." Her chivalrous respect for her treaty led to the wanton invasion of Belgium and the treaty obliga tions of Britain to that little land brought us into the war. The present, rulers of Russia are now engaged without any references to the countries whom Russia brought into the war in separate negotiations with the com

¡enemy, Iam indulging in no reproaches but merely atating facts with a view to mak ing it clear why Britain cannot be held accountable for de- ciaims taken in her absence, and concerning which she has Wot been consulted or her as invoked None who knows

MOR

YAMA

THE MONGKONG TELEGRAPH, MONDAY, JANUARY

י

FARLIER TELEGRAMS.

A

MR. LLORD GEORGE ON BRITAIN'S ON WAR AIMS. Prussia and ber designs upon Russia can for a moment doabt bar ultimate intention. Whatever phrases she uses to de- Judo Bussia the does not mean to surrender one of Russia's fair provinces or cities now occupied by bei forces.

Under one name or another, and the name hardly mat- ters, these provinces will hence-forth in reality be part of the dominions of Prussia They will be ruled by the Prussian sword, the interests of Prussian autocracy and the remainder of the people of Russia will be partly enticed by specious phrases and partly ballied by the threat of continued war: against an impotent army, into a condition of complete economic and ultimate political enslavement to Germany. We all deplore the prospect, British democracy means to stand. To the last by the democracies of other Allies. We shall be proud fight to the end side by side with the new democracy Bot of Russia so will America, France, and Italy. if the present rulers of. Russia take action indepen- dent of the Allies we have not the means of intervening to e arrest the catastrophs which is assuredly befalling. Bussic. She can only be saved by her own people. However we be- Leve an independent Poland, comprising all the genuinely

form a part. is Polish elements who desire to

an urgent necessity for the stability of western Europe. Similarly though we agree with President Wilson that to break up Austria Hungary is no part our war aims; we feel that un- less a genuine and truly democratic self-government is granted to those Austro-Hungarian nationalities, who have long desired it, it is impossible to remove the causes of unrest in that part of Europe, which so long have threatened its general peace.

On the same grounds we regard as vital the satisfaction of legitimate claims of the Italians for the union of those of their own race and tongue. We also mean to press for justice to the men of Rumanian blood and speech in legiti- Aus- If these conditions are fulfilled mate aspirations. tria-Hungary would become a power whose strength would conduce to the permanent peace and freedom of Europe. in- stead of being merely an instrument of the pernicious mili tary autocracy of Prussia that uses the resources of its Allies in the furtherance of the own sinister purposes. We believe outside Earone the same principles should be applied.

THE ITALIAN FRONT.

London, January 5.

An Italian official message states:-Our batteries dis- presed an enemy column in Seren valley. There is in- creased reciprocal artillerying along the middle Piave... Our airmen dropped 1.200 kilos of bombs on Levico station and adjacent magazines.

HORWAY'S SHIPPING LOSSES.

London, January 5.

The revised totals of Norwegian losses last year owing to the war are: 434 ships of a tonnage of 700,000. Sixty-six lives were lost."

THE SILVER MARKET.

London, January 6. Silver is quoted at 43jd. per oz. There are small-sup-- plies and the market is steady.

YESTERDAY'S

TELEGRAMS.

RUSSIAN AFFAIRS.

Stockholm, Jan. 4. ́ Sweden has decided to recognise the independence of Finland.

London, Jan. 3.

London, Jan. 5.

JIT

1918.

STELEGRAMS.

{Renter's Service to The “Tu

AERIAL RAIDS.--

London, Jan. 5. An Admiralty communique states: Naval aircraft carried out a raid yesterday on Ghistelles aerodrome Numerous bombs were dropped on sheds and buildings. All our ma chines returned.

the same gure, which in the state should look to what it Kalso" that Sol J Hobsons laavou a man rather than to what

Bat the date

sumed for it taken from him. Analform the clone of ho lities is, of tax," says Mr. Snowden, “would course, quite problemation). It work most inequitably,uff: yon v is apparently, the belief of the take away 4100 from a man who military authorities,”... anya: Me: has $1,000, he will under far Bobson, "that an American fores, more than the men-with £1,000,- sufficient to achieve a decision in 008, from whom you take £100,- the West, may be in Europe by 000. At present the soula of the autumn of next year in a death duties workuḥ out ɔnt" an position to take effective oper- average of 10 per cent, which ations in the spring of 1919, so according to the Nation's estimate Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, that by the autumn of that year would bring in about $10,000 reporting on aviation, says-There we may hope for such a complete 800,000. The present rates would, was great activity on both sides on victory as will enable the Allies of course, be regraduated with so Thorsday. Two hundred bombs were to impose their full terms upon increased impost apon persons of

the greatest wealth, dropped on two hostile serodromes, the German Government.” the Ledeghem railway junction, but- Now, at the present rate of ex- Any such course is open ments in the neighbourhood of penditure and borrowing, the obvious objections. Emphaser Houthulst Forest, and billets south National Debt would stand, at a laid upon the difficulties of valas- ward of Lilla. Six hostile sero figure well above forly thousand tion. What of the rapid change planes were brought down and two million dollars by the end of in the value of machinery due to driven down. Three of ours are March, 1919. Assuming that new inventions and processes?

hundred bombs pesos comes by that time; large The worth of manufastaraly missing. Three were dropped last night on six aero-expenditures amounting to at plant, it is pointed out, may and- dromes including that at Controde. least ten thousand million dollars denly sink to nothing owing Successful raids were carried out more would be required in con- the invention of new tool despite very bad weather against nection with the war during the tax on for this factories at Maizieres les Metz, rail-first six months of pease. That adjusts itself ago way communications, Woippy rail- brings the total up to fifty thou- course of yours, but, way junction and St. Privat-all in and million dollars. With an ospital storything, would dob

All interest at 5 per cent..and a one on whether the valuation happe the neighbourhood of Metz.

half per cent sinking fund, this ed to be made befure or after di will involva en annual provision depreciation Theanswer is- of $2,750,000,000, A ̈eam of this is no new problem, bet izdos $500,000,000 a year is not so with every day in the assessment axcessive estimate for pensions of death duties. The alleged From the total of 83,250,000,000 imposibility of raluing good-will there are certain deductions to be is met by a similar answer, sup to control and speed up all war sop-made that will bring it down to plemanied by the reminder that plies President Wilson presented $3,150,000,000 Add to this the this problem is faced and oreg the recommendations to a joint ses $1,000,000.000 of pre-war nation- come every times private business sion of Congress as regards the conal expenditure, and you get a is turned into a limited liability trol of railroads, which will include total of $4,150,000,000 a year to company. There is, farther, the a fund of one hundred million ster-come out of the pocket of the objection that the menace of sush ling for upkeep and betterment, eta, British taxpaper. This leaves ont levy would lead to the trans- President Wilson emphasised that of account the demands that will ference of British” napitki to the interests of private investors and be made upon public money to foreign countries." The likewise those of shippers would be finisce the work of reconstruc-list, replied Mr. Soo safeguarded. The Director General tion housing on a large scale, “cannot, put his land on hist and the heads of four railway bro road making, agricultural dave- and his mills in his pock therhoods have agreed on a plan for lopment, and the improvement of carry them out of the county. the settlement of labour disputes transportation, to say nothing of he talks of sending his ospite. during the Government period of education and the various schemes abroad, where will be send, it ? railroad control by the establishment of social reform that are now Where will be find a good of an investigating board. recognised as absolutely essential security as at home? In France ?

to national efficiency..

Or Italy ? · Or Basis P: Or the THE ITALIAN FRONT.

Even on the supposition that United States? Will be send it the national debt at the end of to Germany, I wonder?" London, Jan. 4,

OBAL the war amounts to no more than An Italian official message states: Bir Herbert Leon's figure, and deal of property is held in soch It is arged, again, that a great There is considerable artillery as that only 250 million dollars a form that it would be ine tivity on various sectors. The enemy yast are required for pensions, possible to liquidate it for the again bombed Treviso and Padua the amount of interest to be paid purpose of paying so large a levy. by the country for generations A great deal of it might be paid (including the normal cost of

our machines returned.

U. S. WAR PLANS.

Washington, Jan 5. A Bill has been introduced estab- lishing a new munitions department

In the Reichstag the Chancellor ENGLAND'S WAR DEBT, gvernment) will be at least 2,500 a scrip- perhaps to the

further stated that Germany rejected the Russian proposal to transfer the aegotiations to Stockholm: Regard: ing the Russian declaration of the unacceptability of the Central Fow ers proposals relating to the evato-

Sources of National Income When Peace Cómes.

extent of $5,000,000,000. Bat million dollara & year. But the

sa to the man who cannot pay in yield of taxes and other sources war scrip or in gaib, Sir Herbert of national income, as they are Leon suggests that the Govern now allowing nothing for the ment should take over his stock trade depression and reduced or land or buildings at market. revenue that will almost certainly price or a valuation, and either The London correspondent of follow the war-cannot be esti- receive the interest or allow him ation of territories and a plebiscite, of the New York Evening Postmated at more than 2.100 to buy his possessions back The Daily Telegraph" states that the Chancellor said: "We can cheer-writes under date of October 12 88 million dollars a year. This gradasily or sell them in the open leaves a deficit in normal revenues market. This is practically the yesterday's report that "de facto" fully rely upon our strong position." follow:-

When compulsory military of 400 million dollars a year the method proposed also recognition would probably be ac- The Chancellor confirmed the in- corded the Bolshevik usurpers and tention to negotiate with the Uk-service was introduced, the State if the war ends in March, 1918,

by the Nation which M. Litvinoff, who has been appoint-raine plenipotentiaries..

put forward and enforced a claim | or of 2,050 million dollars a year pointa out that, if the ed Provisional Plenipotentiary to

London, Jan. 5. which logically involves other if it is prolonged to March, 1919, Government were placed in Great Britain, is baseless, The Germany's peace terms include a demanda also. If it may require and if Mr. Hobson's calculations possession of real interest-yielding "Telegraph" declares that the Bol-clause providing for mutual most the citizen to risk sad sacrifice his for that date are accepted.

sasets, which furnished fande for sheviks are only one Russian Party favoured nation treatment as re-life for the welfare of the nation. It is clearly impossible to meet meeting interest and sinking and are in a minority, their power gards trade and navigation for twen where is the line to be drawn? such an emergency imply by fand on war worip, there would resting exclusively on terror. They ty years, nevertheless, each party As yet, there has been no st-piling on more taxation of the be no pressure to convert them have deliberately repudiated an in- reserves itsell the right of making tempt to establish any definite manel type. The anggested in into cash for the purpoes of esn- ternational pact and their recogni- specially intimate commercial agres system of industrial conscription, cresss of various license, duties celling war-zorip until the market tion would be a betrayal of and anments, for instance between Austria but everyone recognises that, as, for instance, on motor became available. Holders of insult to the Russian people. and Germany, or between Russia and should such a development te vehicles, dogs, music halls, cine-mach property mortgaged to the The Morning Post denounces neighbouring Asiatic countries or thought necessary, no one whomas, and tobacconista will be a Government would, in the magan the suggestion for the recognition of independent states formed out of approves of military conscription mere bagatelle. Raining the time, be paying to the Govern a beaten Russia as likely to bring Russis about anarchy and revolution in Great Britain.

The Times" ways that no change has occurred in the attitude of th British Government to the Bolshe viks. No intimation of the appoint-

ment of M. Litvinoff has been off

cially received and the Bolshevisk leaders have not asked the Briti

Government to sasent to the ap-

THE WESTERN FRONT.

London, Jan. 4. A wireless German official mess

age states: English attacks east- ward of Ypres and northward of

ould be able to advance any income tax is the most obvious ment as their levy, a yearly valid argument #gainst it, except expedient, but that method can sam which would represent da on the ground of expediency, nos be profitably employed 6 per cent interest and Similarly, the oonFoription of beyond a certain point, and even capital payment spread over a wealth could easily, be justified, if that tax were raised prodig? term of years. The handing over on principle, by the precedent of ously, il would be inadequate. of the levy would be slower in the conscription of Human life. Whatever the means adopted their osse than in those where The greater includes the less," for meeting this burden, it clearly war-scrip or other salable securis When the Trade Doion Con- cannot be borns to any consider ties could be taken, but the relief La Bassoe Canal broke down. The Bress demanded the impositionable sitent by the working to the ordinary taxing proces

of a levy apon property, no one classes or even by that scation of would be nearly an grasi, szpar- pointment.

enemy has lost 23 aeroplanes since was surprised. The significant the community which receives its ⠀⠀ What has the Chancellor of the The Daily Chronicle" Petrograd January 1

thing is that this doctrine has in come in salaries instead of Erohequer to say to all thig? La correspondent says the German De

London; Jan 5 lately found support in anexpect-wages. The money can only be Field-Marshaj Sir Douglas Haised quarters. It has been advocat got from those who have it, Pro-

a recent interview with the Parlis- legates were astonished to find the the Bolshevisks were not the real reports:-In the local fighting on ed editorially by influential papers poes is hare, therefore, lately been mentary Committee of the Trede Government and say it is impossible the Canal du Nord reported this that have no labour affiliations made for a graduated levy upon admitted that, in any case, - the Unions Congress, Mr. Boner Law to conclude peace with such people. morning four of our advanced posts whatsoever. Individual repre- the ospital value of private wealthier classes would bave in The situation has become grotesque. were pressed back a short distance, sentatives of the ospitalist class, property, which the Nation Curious changes are proceeding in and a few men are missing. Were such as Sir Herbert S. Leon, Bert, estimates to bave risen during tion than they did after the bear a bigger proportion of taxa- the Ukrainian Government suggest pulsed raiders in the neighbourhood have openly commended the pro- the war from 80 thousand mil ing the possibility of a modificatio of Hollebeke. An enemy party

Powers.

The "Daily Mail" reports that M. missing Litvinoff says he will attempt to take possession of the Russian Em- bassy next week, but he might es tablish a new office.

AUSTRALIAN - POLITICS,

Melbourne, Jan.

tained that it would be of its hostility towards the Centra rushed a post eastward of Zonneposal. What a little while ago lion dollars to something like 100 Napoleonic ware, hat be mkio-

would have been regarded as a thousand millions. "If," it is beke, and a few of our men wild and impossible scheme has suggested, on January. I next to attempt any such thing as

levy on capital while the war now come within the range of everybody possessed of property was still going on. The Masekes praosical polities, gen beyond a negligible minimum ter Guardian contands, on the This change has resulted from were required to present on ost other hand, that snok a messtes an awakening to the hard facts of aud with serious penalties in cate would be easier to carry through Megat London, Jan. 6.. Mr. Hughes will probably resign the financial situation, Elimates of falsification, an soonrate and "Pourparlers were resumed at Bre this morning and then form a new diflar to the exact amount of true statement of the value of bis in war than in peace simas, because during the wet the Government silitovsk to-day. The Ukrainian Ministry. Only one or two charges the defioit the country will have property, such a levy could be has a far greater: com Delegates, who have arrived, declare, are anticipated. The Federal Na-o face at the end of the war. Bir effected by an extension of the the machinery and fast That they will conduct their own in- tional Party has passed a resolution Herbert Loa contemplates machinery for seeing and duction than suff ternational relations, but are willing expressing continued confidence in debt of thirty thousand million collecting death duties. In effect,

to co-operate with the Bolsheviks Mr. Hughes, and declaring that it is dollare(G)il the warlants until the every one would be, deamed to be

for a speedy peace. The enemy in the best interests of the counter end of the presrat fosnoial year, dead for the purpose of this set delegates include Dr Kuehlmann and the Empire that Mr. Hughes namely, March 31, 1913, Philip - The system of grades

Snowden's onleniations strive af be based upon the principle the and Count Czernin

should retain the leadership,

beat tim

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