Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1917. BRITAIN'S ANSWER TO GERMANY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9052, 24 July 1917, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. TUESDAY, JULY 24, 1917. BRITAIN'S ANSWER TO GERMANY.

In his speech in the Reichstag, the German Chancellor expressed his Government's willingness to hear what the en^rny have to say" with regard to peace, and Mr Lloyd George, in unmistakably clear terms, has promptly acceded to Dr. Michaelis's desire. "We could make peace with a free Germany," he declared, "but'not with a Germany dominated by an autocracy." In scathing terms he described the worthlessness of the conditions that Germany desires to impose upon Europe, as a basis of peace, and, as the mouthpiece of the Allies, he repudiated those conditions and asserted that " Europe has not sacrificed millions of gallant sons to re-estab-lish the soil, consecrated by their blood, as. a mere sanctuary for shams." This striking declaration of the Allies' determination ought to make clear to Germany that the war will end only when the objects for which Britain and France are fighting have been at-

tamed. If German^ has any doubt ■; on that: point, it ..ought to be dispelled by the Prime Minister's assertion: "We don't want the Germans to harbour any delusions that they are going to put us out of this tight till liberty has been re-estab-lished throughout the world." Equally optimistic and cheering were Mr .Lloyd George's statements regarding the submarine losses and the Jpi'ogress of shipbuilding, iieoent cablegrams have created an impression that matters in this connection were approaching a crisis, and it was therefore with pleasurable feelings that people read the Prime | Minister's hopeful summary. With regard-to Britain's food supplies, the outlook is distinctly cheering, for there is ample for this year, and next year's supply is being arranged for, "even if the shipping losses increase." In the face of positive statements from such an authoritative source, it is inexplicable why the recent gloomy report of an American correspondent was permitted to be made. In the whole range of the Allies' operations at the present time-Russia provides the only cause for doubt, but the new Premier's forceful administration may result in correcting all causes of internal troubles. In that event, General Brusilpff can be depended upon to continue his very successful offensive. ;