A "CLEAN PEACE."

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17239, 15 February 1918, Page 7

A "CLEAN PEACE."

LORD LANSDOWNE'S VIEWS. A deputation of authors and journalists waited on Lord Lansdowno on January 31 (according to a cable message published in Australia) and presented; to him an address in recognition of tho letter published by him in November,-*in which ho urged that the Allies should clearly define their peace tonne, and laid stress oil the idea that there should be no commercial war after peace is declared.

Tlie address stated that Lord La-nsdowne-'s patriotic advico had been approved by millions of his fellow-countrymen. The deputation expressed the hope that Lord Lansdowne would be encouraged to take further steps for tho fulfilment of his policy. Lord Liuisdowns, in. replying, claimed that the letter had led , to a discussion with useful results. He beHovod that they wero all ready to prolong tho war until a "clean poooc" could bo procured, but that they desired that no optKirtunity of hastening it should be lost. The people of Great Britain generally were willing to stap the war the momeni tliat an honourable psace could bo obtained. Some believed that a "clean peace" was obtainable by negotiation. Otliers believed that a crushing victory was necessary first. Ho himself meant by a '• clean poaco" an honourable and durable peace, which wae only possible if all the Towers pledged thomnelvcs to refer all disputes to an international tribunal, lie believed that if Germany's adhesion to a " I/caguc of Nations" could l bo secured it would mean tho negation of German militarism, but a necessary preliminary to the establishment of such a league would to a roa» c onablo territorial residjustmont. Tho •jtmost pains must ly; taken in both Groat Britain and Germany to educate tho people aa to tho facts of tho situation-. The Gcirnvjns held bfsen deliberately misled ing our war aims. It seemed, too, that our own people required enlightenment on t>h« same subject.

Lord Lansdowno concluded by saying: " Wo want a 'clean peace' based on reparation ami security and on a desire to setf international difffcultk&,"