BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 16053, 8 November 1917, Page 7

BRITAIN'S PART.

NO WAVERING

COMMONER'S PEACE MOTION NEGATIVED. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z Cable Association.) (Received November 7th, 9.50 p.m.) > LONDON, November 6In the House of Commons, during a debate on tho Consolidated Fund Bill, Mr H. B. Lees Smith, Liberal member for Northampton, moved that, provided satisfactory guarantees were obtained regarding the independence and restoration of Belgium and the evacuation of other occupied territories, no obstacle should bo placed in the way of preliminary peace negotiations which might embody an equitable settlement of tho Alßace-Lorraino question and provide machinery for tho avoidance of future wars. The mover declared that there was a secret agreement between France and Russia that, in tho event of the Allies being victorious, Germany, in addition to losing Alsace and Lorraine, would lose great tracts of territory on the west bank of the Rhine and the whole of the Saar Valley. Mr Balfour interposed:—"Britain entered into no such agreement. Tho mover's statements relate to an agreement between France and the Czar." Mr Robert Lambert, referring to the League of Nations, declared that we must welcome Germany into it. (Cries of "Never!" "Remember tho Lusitanial") Mr Ramsay Macdonald (Labour) wished to adopt the Russian formula of "no annexations nor indemnities." Hfe said that the country should clearly stato its war aims and make these aims real. » Mr Balfour said that these discussions did not assist the Government to obtain an honourable peaco. Supporters of the motion appeared to desire that peace should not take place until all Europe was democratised according to Mr Ramsay Macdonald's pattern. Nothing would unite Germany more against hor enemies than the idea that her enemies desired to force upon her not the form of government which she desired, but a form which her enemies happened to admire. Mr Balfour characterised tho alleged secret treaty for handing over German parts of Germany to France—or to some independent community—as a "mare's nest." No such treaty existed. We were fighting in order that Europe might be free from German militarism. Germany' had declined to stato her war aims in replying either to the Pope's Note or to President Wil- j son. He condemned the misrepresentation in the House of tho Government's official statements.

Mr Asquith combated the view that if the Alsaco question wero out of tho way, or settled separately, tho Allies' other war aims wero within reach of attainment j this was a complete fallacy.

Mr Bonar Law moved the closure, and this was carried, the voting being: For 282 Against ... ... 23 Mr Lees Smith's motion was negatived without a division.