BRITISH PREMIER ON THE OUTLOOK

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 25, 24 October 1917, Page 5

BRITISH PREMIER ON THE OUTLOOK

NO ENDURING PEACE WITHIN SIGHT WE MUST FIGHT ON FOR POSTERITY'S SAKE By Teleuraph—Press Association—Copyright (Jiec. October 23, 8.40 p.m.) London, October 22. The Prima Minister (Mr. Lloyd Georgo) and Mr. Bonar Law launched a great autumn campaign for national economy ut a gathering in the Albert Hall. Those present were representative of all sections of the community, and included the -various High Commissioners. The Premier dealt with'tho gigantic cost of tho war, but held that Britain, after the war, would bo a nioro valuable asset, because of tho efficiency of the. people. The security of shares would bo increased. Another solacing fact was that the gigantic debt would be owed to ourselves. Although that did not always make a difference, it was better that tha debt should be in the family. The more Britain saved the more she could lend to others, which was a most important factor in national wealth.

The Outlook for Peace. Keferrqig to the fcrms of pcace, tho Premier 6aid ho had been scanning the horizon anxiously, but could not see any terms in 6ight which lend hope for an enduring peace. The only terms possibln now wero an armed truco, ending in an even more frightful struggle. This war was t-erriblo; but more terrible still were the possibilities it revealed of new horrors i>y sea and air. After enlarging on the development and possibilities of tho destructive powers of these horriblo agents in a period of twenty or thirty years, he declared that we must settle this once and for all. Otherwise tliero were men and women in the hall ivho might live lo see tho death of civilisation. "You must all know," lie said, "that it is essential for the future of the human race that a decision should bo reached now; that brute force must be dethronod for over, bo that our children will not be condemned to terrors which even the most vivid imagination dare net portray. Such a settlement is not within immediate reach. Germany will onl> ninke peace now on terms which would enable her to benefit by tne present war; That would be an encouragement for any buccaneering empire in the future to repeat the experiment. The failure of Napoleon taught Prance an ufi. forgettable lesson. A similar lesson must bo burnt into the hearts and memories of every Prussian before this war ends. The main questions of the war are not territorial adjustments or indemnities, but pre-eminently the question of the destruction of the false idea which has intimidated and enslaved Europe, or would have done so if if had been triumphant. This year T had hoped we might have broken that terrible power. Wo have been looking forward to a great converging movement which -would have accomplished that, purpose. The temporary collapse of Russia's military power postponed our hopes, but time is oil our side.

The U-Boat Collapse. "Two factors which have contributed to our hopes arc the advent of America and the increasing failure of the enemy's submarino warfare. Our monthly shipping losses are now not much over one-third of the losses recorded in April, while tho losses of German submarines in 1917 are more than thrica their losses for tho whole of last year. Arrangements have been mado by which tho new British shipping turned out in 1918 will be four times the total for 1916. America is doing the same. Germany's enemies have produced tiie world's food supplies and raw materials. Even if tho German military machine succeeded, which it will not, this federation of free peoples could, by withholding products, reduce Germany to impotence and desolation, and they will, if necessary. However, the Allies must husband their resources until Russia recovers and America is ready. We must beware of people who are Irving to sow dissension The enemy on most of 'the battlefronts has organised with deadly care and ingenuity an offensive behind the lines. T know what lam talking about.* Trance discovered it in time, took out for Boloism in all shapes and forms! Tho enemy is attempting to divide the nations, and pit one Ally against another, but I am glad to say that the Allies are working with the greatest harmony. We are holding one of the most important military and political iuter-Allied Conferences ever held. Its decisions will affect tho whole course of the war, and Way determine the ultimate issue."—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reiiter.