ENEMY AND PEACE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLII, Issue 11470, 23 February 1918, Page 7

ENEMY AND PEACE.

NO SUBSTANTIAL OFFER. MR LLOYD GEORGE’S OPINION ■ ■— London, Feb. 33. ® Reference to the recent speeches by Enron von Hortling and Count Czernin was made by Mr Lloyd George in his speech in the House of Commons on the Addxess-in-Reply. The Prime Minister said the Government stood by the considered declaration wide!) ho had made on behalf of his colleagues at a meeting of trade-union representatives early in the _ year. He was profoundly disappointed with Baron von ITcrtling’s and Count Czernin’s replies to his ami President Wilson’s declaration. It was true there was a difference of tone between Baron von Hertling and Count Czernin. He wished he could believe that there was a difference in substance.

When Count Czernin came to tho real substance of the allies’ demands he was adamant. Count Czerniu had pnt Mesopotamia and Palestine in exactly the same position as he did Belgium, and as regards Italy he simply stated that certain offers had boon made to Italy before the wax-, but these had now been withdrawn. So far as the Slavonic population of Austria was concerned, Count Czernin made tho bald statement that it was none ox the allies’ business to inquire. Indeed, Count Czernin resolutely refused to discuss any terms which might be regarded as possible peace terms.

Referring to Baron von Hertling’s speech. Mr Lloyd George said it was difficult to believe that some of his demands were serious especially those regarding Britain surrendering her coaling stations. It was no use cryingpe-ce when there was no peace. Examination of Count Czernin’s and Baron von Hertling’s speeches were profoundly disappointing .to those really desiring peace. Tho action of tho Gormans towards Russia proved that tho declaration of “no tions” was meaningless. No satisfactory answer had been given with regard to Belgium and Poland, nor to France’s legitimate claims for the restoration of the lost provinces. Not a word was said about men of Italian race and tongue under the Austrian yoke.

Ho most profoundly regretted that ho found nothing in those speeches which could possibly be regarded as proof that tho Central Empires were prepared for peace on terms which could be regarded a just and reasonable. The Government had not receded in tho least from its statement of tho war aims which they still regarded as embody iug the aims and ideals for which Vfi) were fighting,. There was every indication that tho whole nation accepted that statement as fair, just, and moderate.

Until there was some better proof that the Central Powers were prepared to consider our war aims it would bo our regrettable duty to go and make the preparations which would be necessary in order to establish international right in the world. (Cheers). The Times says that while all the world may share Mr Asquith’s anxiety to interpret the different tones of"Hertling’s and Czerniu’s speeches as indicating some substantial difference between Germany and Australia, it is impossible to avoid the Prime Minister’s deliberate judgment.