LABOUR AND THE WAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3332, 23 January 1918, Page 23

LABOUR AND THE WAR.

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS DEMANDED

OPPOSITION TO MAN-POWER BILL

MR LLOYD GEORGE'S POWERFUL

SPEECH

(By Cable.)

The British Trade Union Congress and the Labour party have sent a message to the Russian people stating that by breaking off negotiations Russia risks the suppression of the newly-won freedom. It continues : " In this crisis the British people must speak, and therefore proclaim identical aims with Russia and accept no annexations for the British Empire. We respect the sovereign independence of the Turkish people in Constantinople, Thrace, and Anatolia, but the British Government has justifiably pledged itself to the Arabs and Jews. We accept the renunciation of annexation for tropical Africa, and self-determination for India's dependencies. Though the record of British government occasions little reproach, and the application of self-deter-mination would be difficult, our purpose is to eventually raise them to the status of dominions." The following passage occurs in the message which the British Trade Union Congress sent to the Russian people: "We adjure the peoples of Central Europe to force their Governments to answer Russia and ourselves. We appeal to them to renounce all annexations in Europe in the same good faith as we renounce them in Asia, and demand that they give the Alsatian, Italian, Polish, and Danish members of their States the right of absoute self-determination, just as Russia has given this right to Finland, Courland, Lithuania, and Russian Poland." MR LLOYD GEORGE'S ADDRESS. Mr Lloyd George, addressing representatives of the trade unions affected by the Man-Power Bill, paid a tribute to the manner in which they had met the Government. A spirit of complete frankness had characterised both sides, resulting in the clearing away of misunderstandings. The Prime Minister reiterated ' that the only alternatives to the proposals were the raising of the age limit, as in Austria, where it is 55, or sending back wounded men. It would be folly to withdraw men from industry ~an hour sooner than was necessary, but it would be treason to the country, to democracy, and to„.the cause of freedom if, when the need arose, the Government did not make the demand.

" I assume," said Mr Lloyd George, "that in your hearts you believe that the war aims declared by the great labour conference represent the minimum which can possibly be accepted; but if we are unable to defeat the German forces, if we are unable to resist the military power of Prussia, is there a man here who believes that one of your terms, even the least of them, will be enforced? I am not talking of the demands of Imperialists, or of the" demands of extreme war men who want to annex the earth and all the heavenly firmament. I- am -talking of the moderate demands of the most pacifist soul. Let this assembly go to Hindenburg with them. Let them try to cash that cheque at the Hindenburg bank, and it will be returned dishonoured. Whatever terms are submitted by any pacifist in these lands, you will not get them cashed by Ludendorff, or the Kaiser, or by any of. these magnates unless you have got the power to enforce them." Mr Lloyd George said that President Wilson, and he himself, without previous consultation, had laid down what was substantially the same programme of demands for the termination of the war. There had not been any response from any man of any position in Germany indicating that the rulers of Germany desired to approach the problem in a spirit of equity. We demanded the restoration of Belgium. Would any of his hearers make peaco without the complete restoration of Belgium and reparation for its wrongs?— (Shouts of "No.") Germany's only answer to that demand came from the soul of von Tirpitz, who replied, "Never.'' He (the speaker) demanded reconsideration of the wrong of Alsace-Lorraine. Germany answered "Never." The programme he had laid down had been acclaimed thr6ughout the allied countries. Criticism had hardly been heard, except, from a few who wished that Lloyd George had made more extreme demands. The Socialists of France, Britain, and Italy had in the main accepted the demands as very fair. Mr Lloyd George emphasised that he would not have the war for a second on his soul if he could stop it honourably. He urged those especially who thought we were responsible for the perpetuation of the horrors of war to consider the reception of our demands in Germany, where the only comment had been: " Behold how Britain is weakening. Go on, they will come down again.". When he suggested that Mesopotamia and Palestine should never be restored to the tyranny of the Turks, Germany answered: "We will go on until they are restored." The Prime Minister emphasised that not a single condition contained in the British Trade Union war aims had been met by any authoritative response from Germany. It was very significant that there had not been any civilian answer from Germany at all. Hindenburg and Ludendorff were hurriedly summoned to confer at Berlin, but von Kuhlmann was not allowed to speak. That meant that the Prussian military power was dominant. Germany's answer to civilisation would bo given from the cannon's mouth.

"It would be a mistake to harbour any delusions," said Mr Lloyd George. " Let us talk quite freely hero amongst ourselves. • You might as well stop fighting unless you are going to do it with all your might. It is real murder of the gallant fellows who have stood there for

three years. There is no alternative. You have either got to put your whole strength into it or just do what is done in the Russian army and tell those hrave fellows that they can go home whenever they like. If there are men who say they will not go into the trenches, then the men in the trenches have a right to say, ' Neither will we remain here.' That would end the war, but what sort of an end would it be? Russian soldiers ceased righting and fraternised. They simply talked great ideals and principles to the German army. The Germans did not retreat, but took Riga and the islands. Fraternisation did not prevent the Germans from marching forward, and if Petrograd had been nearer they would have had that, too. Unless we are prepared to stand up to the whole might of the people now dominating Germany, you will find the' democracy of Europe at the mercy of the cruellest military autocracy the world ha 3 ever seen. If you sent -Jindenburg peace delegations he Avould just mock at your request that he would evacuate Belgium. He would say in his heart: ' You cannot turn me out of Belgium with trade union resolutions.' The answer you can give him is: ' We can and will turn you out of Belgium with trade union guns and trade, unionists behind them.' If any man standing in my place can find an honourable and equitable way out of this conflict without fighting it through, for heaven's sake let him tell me.. My own conviction is that the people must either go on or go under." Mr Lloyd George after his> speech invited and answered numeroxis questions. Regarding the advisability of negotiating with the Germans when the latter were alleged to be whining and squealing for peace, he replied : " The Germans are always ready for peace at their own price which wo are not prepared to pay. The moment that the Germans show a disposition to negotiate on equitable terms there will be no reluctance to negotiate." Asked whether or not the best way of, ascertaining the opinion of the German people was to allow British representatives to meet representatives of otJier Powers at Stockholm or elsewhere, the Prime Minister replied pointing out that the German representatives would be chosen by their Government. " You can," he said, " only make peace with the Government. If the Government does not represent the people of Germany, let them change it, and if this Government does not represent the people of this country they can change it." A delegate interjected; "Give us the opportunity." Mr Lloyd George replied : " We have given you the best opportunity in the Franchise Bill, adding 8,000,000 voters to the electorates. You can have the opportunity any time you like." The Prime Minister was considerably heckled regarding the Government's objections to the International Workers' Conference, apart from all Governments. He reiterated : " AH the Allies and America have_ agreed that negotiations can be conducted only by representatives of the Governments, not by sections of the people." Mr Lloyd George emphasised the difficulty of'deciding as to when it would be desirable to enter a peace conference withoxit putting out head into a noose. He was convinced that such a conference at present would aggravate and not improve matters. A delegate asked him whether President Wilson's reference to freedom of the seas was according to the views of the British Government. The Prime Minister replied, emphasising the fact that Britain is in a,different position from America' or any Continental country. We must guard most carefully any attempt to interfere with our capacity to protect our shores, our shipping-, and our overseas communications. A delegate asked what was meant by reconsideration of the position of AlsaceLorraine. The Prime Minister replied that "the British people will stand by France, who considers that peace is impossible till the question of Alsace-Lorraine is settled." THE MAN-POWER BILL. Sir Auckland Geddes, in introducing the Man-power Bill in the House of_ Commons, in a 90 minutes' speech said man-power was the central war problem. The most urgent need at present was men for the army. The position of Britian's Allies laid the heaviest burden upon Great Britain until America was ready. The Allies were still substantially superior to the enemy as regards men. despite the loss of Russia and Rumania ,• but Russia's withdrawal released 1,600,000 of the enemy for the West front. The Empire had up to the present raised 7,500,000 troops. Sir Auckland gave a masterly survey of the British resources and military and industrial needs. His most important declaration was that until America's weight began to tell decisively the role of the British and French armies in the west would be defensive. Notwithstanding Russia's defection, the resources which the' Allies and America had actually mobilised or had in reserve in civil life were sufficient to assure victory. Only a psychological catastrophe such as had befallen Russia could save the Central Powers. When the full force of America came into play _ the endurance of the Allies would be justified by the superiority which was sure to herald a complete victory. Great Britain had four million men on the rolls to-day. Sir Auckland Geddese said that our enemies were staking everything on our failure to solve the man-power problem. Its successful solution meant certain victory, and much had already been accomplished. The Ministry in December filled 37,000 vacancies for men and 36,000 for women. The co-operation of the Trade Committee of Trades Unions was of the greatest value In assisting in providing substitutes for men drafted into the army. The Ministry had established seven centres for discharged soldiers, at which the Ministry was setting up employment exchanges, enabling discharged men to engage in work of national importance; also in bringing back into civilian life men

who, in the medical categories, were not wanted immediately for army purposes. Sir Auckland Geddes said that our Government had considered the casualty problem could not be solved dramatically, stamp out carelessness regarding human life. He warned the pacifists who wereattempting to stir up strife in the munition factories, and said they would encounter a surprising blast of hatred and contempt. The Government had decided that for the present tho military age should bo neither lowered or raised, and that compulsion would not be introduced in Ireland, but it would not hesitate to adopt any or all of these measures if tho military needs were not met otherwise. Sir Eric Geddes said that England had contributed 4,530,000 men, Scotland 620,000, Wales 230,000 Ireland 170,000, and tho dominions and colonies 900,000. 1 An army was immediately needed of another 420,000 to 450,000. It was untrue that the British army afield was dwindling. It was still stronger than ever, butit was necessary to look ahead and provide for i rearward services. Sir Eric Geddes pointed out that the problem could not be solved dramatically. The Bill empowered the Director-general to withdraw occupational exemptions. Apart from the army's needs, the labouremploying departments required a further 430,000 men and 119,000 women. There were already 815,000 women munition workers employed. A SECRET SESSION. Official: At the secret session of Parliament, after discussion, the Prime Minister spoke on the second reading of the ManPower Bill, which was then carried without discussion. The Bill was then committed to Committee of the Whole House. The secret session arose with dramatic cuddenness, as the result of Mr Hogge , stating that he had learnt certain facts at a private conference showing that the proposed 450,000 men would be inadequate to meet the military situation. Mr Hogge said the Government had not given , an adequate statement regarding the war. "I knoxv the facts, though I cannot state them," said Mr Hogge. " The conditions of the war are as stated. The man-power proposals are absurd—a mere fleabite—and will not meet the situation. It is fooling the House and the public to suggest that this Man-Power Bill is going to -

bring them nearer victory. Let the War Minister tell the House about Americawhat help America can give and when it can give it. Let him tell how Great Britain is being bled of men, materials, and money in order to maintain the position of the war, which in autumn may find us no nearer victory."—(Cries of dissent and inquiry.) Mr" Hogge said: "I do not mean that the Germans can break our line." MEETINGS OF PROTEST. The members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers at Woolwich Arsenal attempted to hold a meeting to protest against Sir Auckland Geddes's combing* out scheme, but other workers attended and pelted the engineers with dirty cotton waste and broke up the meeting. Official correspondence shows that tha Amalgamated Society of Engineera declined to participate in the Man Power Conference, as the Government declined to consult separately with the society. A meeting of 2000 Woohvich workers carried a resolution demanding that the Government enter into peace negotiations with the other belligerents on a no-an-> nexation no-indemnity basis, also the selfdetermination _ of all" nation.?. The meeting pledged itself to co-operate in continuing the war if the negotiations disclose that German Imperialists are the only obstacle to peace, but pledged itself td oppose the man-power proposals if the Government refused to enter into peace negotiations. GERMANY OUT TO CONQUER. The New York Sun's London correspond dent states that, according to advices received through the Central News Agency, Germany no' longer pretends to be waging a defensive war, but frankly avows thai it is a war of conquest. The whole German press reflects this changed attitude, and the starving people are being deluded into believing that" the great victories over Russia and Italy demand the fruits which their leaders are desperately striving for. AUSTRIA'S WAR AIMS. The Vienna Fremdenblatt eemii-officiallyj states that Austria aims at a no-annexa-tion peace and does not intend to incorporate occupied districts, but will not tolerate the Russian revolutionary chaos in

the newly-created independence States or the spread of the Russian revolution in Austria.

The 'teifsion Between the Bavarians and Prussians is strained!. Baron von Hertling's appointment \vas intended to quieten the Bavarians, but has not succeeded, and their demands are increasing. Germans from Russia are employed to the utmost in order to keep their minds off the Ma-»iV rnalist doctrines ? the prevalence of which is causing anxiety to the commanders. One. German division has been sent from Belgium to Russia.