AIMS OF THE ALLIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16202, 12 April 1916, Page 8

AIMS OF THE ALLIES.

J • bights' OF .all STATES.

§*^.PEACE MUST BE PERMANENT.

18v SPEECH BY MR. ASQUITH,

GERMANY'S VAIN HOPES.

(Received April 11, 0 p.m.)

London, April . 11. A reply to the recent speech by

the German Chancellor was made

by tho Prime Minister of Britain at y a dinner given in honour of the

visiting member* of the French Par-

liament, at which Mr. Asquith presided. There was a representative • gathering of politicians. ••• - In proposing the toast of the guests, Mr. Asquith said the relations between France and Britain during many years past had been

established on an unshakable founv dation, and had now become rela- ™ tions of intimacy and affection.

Time For Peace Not Come.

Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg de- . Clares that on December 9 he ex- «. pressed readiness to enter into peace .. negotiations," Mr. Asquith con- *•» tinued, "in which we were to asV sume the attitude of the defeated to '» '.a victorious adversary, but we are not defeated, and are not going to ' be defeated. The allies arc under a • v bond and solemn pact not to seek . nor to accept separate peace. The iv terms on which we will conclude peace are the accomplishment of the : purposes for which we took up arms. • ... "The allies intend to pave the s-"way far an international system of

; securing rights to all civilised States, •; and they interna to establish the 'principle that international problems must be handled by free negotiations . on equal terms between free peoples |" unhampered and unswayed by over* " mastering dictation of a government'controlled military caste. That is if: what I mean .by the.destruction of Prussian militarisn:, nothing more and ,; otling less. I-4U- " Future of Belgium. - - "We are in the struggle as champions, not only of treaty rights, but „ of the independent status and free development of weaker countries. Cynicism -could hardly go • further -JipJ than Dr. von Betlimann-Hollweg's |f claim for Germany, , of all the Powers, to insist, when peace comes, 0 upon giving various races a change for free evolution along lines of national " individuality.. He says

'C Belgium if not, to bccome a vassal to {France and England, but to be"ft <,r., come l Germany's neighbour- a' new development" indeed of the theory of •;?,cthe rights and the duties of neighbourhood. My answer is very simple. >- -The allies desire, and are. determined to see, is at- Belgium JB fc not -be allowed to suffer a wanton and a>{, wicked .invasion of her freedom, v-. What has been broken down must be repaired and restored.' * •v'-- : ■• -■■■ -Vfju *' > . 1' ; t .. v ' Black Chapters of Poland. , -it" ! " The attempt to Germanise Prus■v' sian Poland for the last 20 years has , been both the strenuous purpose and the colossal failure of the Prussian policy. No one knows , this better than Dr. von Bethmann-Hollweg. -/ < N ; The .wholesale strike of Polish child-%-Vreii at their barbarous floggings, and the arrest and the. imprisonment of their mothers, fevra black chapters "Vi even in t' l e amrls of, Prussian culture. V'itl;.. ;t]j. record, Dr. von V. Bethma'u-iiollweg sheds tea. 3 over what ho : terms the long-suppressed v>- Flemish race." . yi-r Fighting With Clean Hands. %■' The P<-ime Minister said he would not due'! "Q the German Chancellor's 'itteiiifu to justify the sub'X n lite policy. "We have carried v Hjir. our : naval policy in accordance' ■'? ,s ith iiie spirit of intern*. law," I V yaid " Mr. M Asquith. .".I need not dwell on Germany's flagrant violaJ' tions' of law and' pf the dictates of •r humanity. We are 'fighting side •> r aide with' our allies in a great cause, with clean hands, with a clear! : r ' conscience, and with confidence' that '.we .} ~i v -' he t. j"' and th-'/'owei to :V' vindicate the libelees of Euj to " Replying to the toast, M. Picuon . . s^id, France and Britain had entered v he. war i '.together, had fought tov" gf vher, a^.l ! together they v/ould Win. |#JV» ice admired the Englishman and in nobility under arms. •• ♦ r J ■ 11