PEACE TALK.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 2 August 1918, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

LORD LANSDOYv'NE'S LATEST

FURTHER EXPLANATION OF ALLIED AIMS DESIRED.

LONDON, July 31

Lord Beauehamp presided at a meeting of Lord Lansdowne's supporters at Exeter Hall. A letter from Lord Lansdowne was read in which the writer stated:

We are about to commence the fifth year of the war. Shall we next week reaffirm the solemn resolve not to desist until we achieve peace with honor ? I have the estimates of the belligerents' casualties, which are thirty millions, whereof seven millions are killed and six millions prisoners or missing. The civilised world's resources are being drained, apart from the exhaustion of our national wealth. The losses of tonnage are as lamentable as the losses of life. It is estimated that the declining birth-rate has robbed the European belligerents of 12£ million potential lives. The Registrar-General says that every day of war involves a loss to Europe of 7000 potential lives. The war has filled graves and emptied cradles. To avoid a dishonorable peace we are ready to fight to the bitter end, but the tragedy of these figures is apparent. It would be criminal to continue the war a day after an honorable peace is within reach. The desire for peace appears widespread in enemy countries, but we apparently are as far as ever from the end. The tide of destruction continues to flow. Recriminations stand in the way. I have, no desire to embarrass the Government, but feel it my duty to give the Government a chance of affording the country reassurance and enlightenment. I am convinced of the existence of a deep-seated desire for a further explanation of the conditions on which we are prepared to open a discussion leading to peace. Have we really stated our terms in unmistakable language? Admittedly there are serious difficulties in formulating and denning the cardinal points. "We must make sure we are in line not only with our allies but the Dominions. We must face racial and geographical problems of surpassing intricacy. There is a temptation to use vague language and generalities to 6lide over awkward questions. What is the use of interAlHed conferences and the Imperial Cabinet if they fail to co-ordinate the aims of the Allies? The Note of January 10, 1917, has become obsolete owing to Russian defection. The people are asking whether no conversations can be commenced before the Central Powers signify acceptance of the whole demands outlined in Mr Lloyd George's speech of January 8. General Smuts' Glasgow speech of May 17 gave the coup de grace to the theory of the knock-out blow, and pointed the way to a true conception of the sort of victory we regard as indispensable, aiming not merely at momentary superiority in the field, but also for permanent security whereunder it would be possible eventually to realise President Wilson's ideals. I am not positive we have reached the stage at which there is a prospect of a preliminary agreement on essential points and profitable conversations. There are abundant indications that such occasions will present themselves in the near future. Let us be prepared to use them in a reasonable spirit, at least giving our adversaries the chance of showing whether their overtures are sincere.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.