REICHSTAG AND COMMONS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 179, 28 July 1917, Page 5

REICHSTAG AND COMMONS.

PEACE FORMULA DISCUSSED. RAMSAY MacDONAID GETS LITTLE SUPPORT. LONDON, July 27. On behalf of a quintet of pacifist members of Parliament, Mr Ramsay MaeDonald. moved, in the House of Commons, a resolution asking the House to endorse the sentiments of the Reichstag resolution regarding the terms of peace, and to re-state the peace aims and also that the forthcoming Allied conference on war aims should include democratic representatives.

]Mr Asquith declared that overmuch importance was attached to the Reichstag resolutions. Peace was of supreme importance to mankind, but the all-important condition was that it must not defeat the purpose for which the great nations made war. He welcomed the forthcoming Allied conference, initiated by Russia, because of the new facts with a practical bearing which had recently emerged, namely., the cessation of autocracy in Russia and the entry of the United States. In the meantime we were not helping the advent of peace by giving the impression of faltering determination or that we were doubtful about carrying the burden we had undertaken.

Mr. G. J- Wardle (Labour member for Stockport) associated himself with Mr. Asquith in a desire for peace based on the achievement of the war's purposes. Mr. Mac Donald's resolution was. he declared, a great mistake. British Labour forces were inflexibly resolved to obtain victory, and they realised that their object could he obtained only by lighting. The German people were not seeking to destroy their own shackles, but to impose them on other peoples.

Mr. Bonar Law asked what was the good of basing anything on a resolution by a body which did not possess the smallest power in the Reichstag. The resolution demanded the freedom of the seas, which meant that a nation with naval power must not use it. whole one with military power was not to be restricted. Germany must be disabused of Her pre-war convictions that national greatness and development depend on readiness to plunge the world into war. He did not despair of the part Kussia was going to play, even in the present conditions. Mr. Bonar Law concluded with an expression of contidence in the ability of the Allies to achieve their objects.

The motion was rejected by 148 votes to 10.

The following is tlio peace formula recently adopted by tile Reichstag: "(1) Germany is fighting for freedom, independence, ami the maintenance of her territory. (2) The Reichstag desires lasting peace secured by a good understanding of all people.-". The. forced acquisition of territory, and political, economic, ajid financial disabilities are inconsistent with such peace. (3) The Reichstag protests against all plana for economic blockades after the war, and demands the freedom of the seas. . It advocates the establishment of an International Court. (4) Whilst enemy Governments do not accept such a peace, the German people unanimously agree to continue the tight.' , IS KITCHENER ALIVE? HIS SISTER SAYS HE IS. (Received 10.35 a.m.) LONDON", July 27. Mrs Parker (Earl Kitchener's sister), in opening a bazaar at Hastings, said she did not share the general belief that her brother went down in the Hampshire. Her firm belief was that ho was still alive, and would return. This was the first time sho had publicly announced her opinion, but ever sinoo the loss of the Hampshire she had been trying to find out what happened to her brother — (A. and N.Z. Cable.) "'X.' IS HERE." ■ A PRISONER'S LETTER. (By Telegraph.—Tress Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, tliia day. Apropos of the Kitchener cable, a lady in a responsible, position iv Palmerston North recently received a letter from a well-known Belfast resident stating that the mother of a sailor on the Hampshire known to her had received a letter from her son, whom she had thought dead, but who was a prisoner in Germany. The son added at the foot of the letter: " 'X ' is here also." BRITISH FOOD CONTROL FIXED PRICES AND BREAD BOUNTY. LONDON, July 27. In the House of Lords, Lord Rhoudda (Minister in Charge of Food Control) stated that the Board of Trade estimated that the cost of food had been doubled to the wage-earner, and that the cost of living had increased by 75 per cent. They would not be out of danger until the result of the Allies' shipbuilding programme was feit. His policy was to fix prices for necessaries, the supplies of which he could effectively control from the producer to the retailer. Prices would be fixed on the basis of pre-war profits. Ho was making cfl'orts to prevent speculation, and to eliminate the unnecessary middlemen. He would press for imprisonment in bad cases of illegal profits. Tlie policy of subsidising the loaf was justified onJy by present circumstances. He hoped America would be able effectively to control her supplies. The local authorities would appoint food control committees, including at least one Labourite and one woman. Communal kitchens would be established.— (A. and N.Z.)

A GERMAN COMMUNIQUE.

LOXDON, July 27.

A German official report states: "The artillery battle continues with undiminished intensity between the coast and the River Lys. English reconnoitring thrusts were continued unsuccessfully. Our flame-throwers captured an important trench in a sector near Monehy. Three enemy attempts to recapture it failed. We stormed a. French position on a front of about a mile to a depth of 400 yds south of AiHes. We captured a dominating ridge north-west of Hurtebise. We raided and captured ground at Souchberg. The Trench suffered sanguinary losses in counter-attacking at these places. We took 1,050 prisoners.".— f3t. and N.Z.. Cable.)