ALLIES' WAR AIMS.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11401, 21 November 1917, Page 2

ALLIES' WAR AIMS.

UNSH&KEABLE RESOLVE. September 29. Speaking at a meeting at Leeds, Mr Asquith dealt at length with the war aims of the Allies. He emnbasised tliat with negligible exceptions the Allies presented an unbroken front and an uushakeablo resolve after three years. A repetition of the righteousness of the cause was not required to sustain that resolve, but it was useful to repeat to others that the peace for which they were fighting could not be found in a cessation of hostilities followed by territorial bargaining to be ultimately embodied in paper pacts, and there left to the mercy of chance. Still less could they look for a peace worthy of the name in any arrangement imposed by the victor on the vanquished which ignored the principles of right and defied the historic traditions, aspirations, and liberties of the peoples affected. Such so-called treaties simply provided a fertile breeding ground for future wars, as, for examlpo, the treaty of 1871, to which single act of international spoliation a large share of the calamities now devastating the world could he traced. The German reply to tiie Pope teemed with nebulous and unctuous generalities. There was uo indication that Germany would not repeat the crime of 1871 or would take practical steps for a lasting peace. Was she (asked Mr Asquith) ready to restore to Alsace and Belgium full independence without reservations, with a complete material compensation as possible for the dev station of the country and the sufferings of the people? A definite reply to these inquiries could he given in a couple of sentences worth a whole column of pious platitudes. The speaker reiterated that they did not aim at the annihilation or the degradation of the German people. It was engineered, and still more the brutal cruelty and refined inventive wickedness by which it was carried on, must long affect the world's estimate of the German character.

Nothing had caused more consternation to tiio world than the German opinions and fervent applause of the barbarous transgressions of its Government. It sliowed from what unmeasured perils, from a set-back to civilisation, mankind had been delivered now that the Allies had tor ever shattered the dreams of Gorman hegemony. Prussian militarism was their obective.' They had no other wish for Gorman demorcracy than that after sh-.kng off this souldestroying incubus it should learn the lessons and enjoy fully ...the blessings of freedom. “The positive aide of our lirst aim,’’ went on the ex-Promier, “is not the restoration of the status quo, but the establishment of an international system under which nations great and small, would be ensured a stable foundation for independent development. I assume, as a matter of course, the enemy evacuation of the occupied territories of Franco and Russia. I have already referred to Als-me and Belgium. 'Wherever we turn in Central or Eastern Europe we see artificial territorial arrangements offending the populations concerned, and which have been and just remain, so long ss they continue, the seed plots of unrest and potential war.” In conclusion, Mr ftdquith referred to the cl dm of Italy, Roumania, Serbia, Poland, Greece and the southern Slavs, adding that there must bo a complete and permanent liquidation of these dangerous accounts on the lilies of racial affinity and historic tradition and aspirations of the inhabitants. Their ideal w-s the creation of a world-wide polity uniting the peoples in a confederation of which justice would the base and liberty the corner stone. The limitation of arm orients and international arbitration would he milestones on the road leading to its att Turnout. (Cheers.) In a glowing peroration Mr Asquith declared tint meanwhile, until the issue was finally decided, and the decision, in his judgment, could not be long delayed, they must keep their powder drj'.

“Thank God there was nowhere any sign of relaxation of onr will and resource.- Our gallant army, under its indomitable Chief, is pushing the new offensive in Flanders with cool precision,, burning courage and deadly effect. Our sailors, munition workers, captains of industry and finance, thousands and millions of men and women of every degree, are sustaining the national effort and are living witnesses of the inspiring power of the great cause and architects and builders of the Temple of Victory. “France and Italy are staunch and loyal to the core, reaping fresh laurels at Verdun and on the Isonzo. Russia, amidst her domestic troubles and distractions repudiates and disdains the insulting offer of a separate peace. America, with her illimitable reserves of moral and material strength, throws the mighty sword of the new world into the scale. Notwithstanding the cloud hovering over our banners, with the knowledge that the blood and treasure split in three years have been given for no selfish worldly cause, and with the certainty that in the victory of the /lilies is the only hope of the world for a solid and fruitful peace, let us with tranquil faith and unstinted devotion persevere 'to the end. ’ ’ (Cheers).