NO PEACE AT GERMANY'S PRICE

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1230, 21 January 1918, Page 5

NO PEACE AT GERMANY'S PRICE

NEGOTIATIONS AT BREST LITOVSK IMPOSSIBLE MR LLOYD GEORGE GIVES THE ALLIES' REASONS. (A. & N.Z.) (Rec. Jan. 21, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 19. Mr Lloyd George, after his speech to trade union representatives, invited and answered numerous questions regarding the advisability of negotiating with the Germans when the latter are alleged to be "whining and squealing for peace." lie replied:— The Germans are ready for peace at their own price, which we are not prepared to pay. The moment the Germans show a disposition to negotiate on equitable terms, there will be no reluctance on cur part 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 the oilier Powers at Stockholm or elsewhere, the Prime Minister replied, pointing out that the German representatives would be chosen by their Government, lie added: You can only make peace with a 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, by adding 8,000,000 people to the electorate. You can have the opportunity any time you like." The Prime Minister was considerably heckled regarding Ids objections to an International Workers' Conference, apart from the Governments, lie reiterated that all the Allies and America arc agreed that negotiations can be conducted only by representatives of the Governments, and.not by sections of the people. Mr Lloyd George emphasised the difficulty of deciding when it would be desirable to enter into a peace conference without putting our head into the noose. lie was convinced that a conference held presently would aggravate and not improve matters. A delegate asked him whether President Wilson's reference to the freedom of the seas Avas according to the views of the British Government. The Prime Minister replied emphasising that Great Britain was in a different position from America or any Continental country. We must guard niGSt carefully any attempt to interfere with our capacity to protect our shores, shipping, and overseas communications. A delegate asked what was meant by "reconsideration of the position of Alsace-Lorraine." Mr Lloyd George replied:— The British people will stand by the people of France, who consider that peace is impossible till the question of Alsace-Lorraine is settled. EFFECT OF THE SHORTAGE OF FOOD. BRITAIN NOW WHERE GERMANY WAS TWO YEARS AGO. (A. & N.Z.) (Rec. Jan. 21, 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 19. Lord Rhondda (Minister of Food Control), speaking at the Aldwych Club, said, without wishing to alarm the public, that Great Britain had reached the state that Germany reached two years ago. Now her position was perilous. He deprecated attempts to set class against class. The rich and middle classes had responded more generally to appeals for economy than the wage-earners had done. There was no evidence that farmers were deliberately withholding supplies, lie concluded: — There is no prospect of a meat famine such as affects Germany, but we must economise more in meat for a few months. BELGIANS' HORSEFLESH SHOPS RUSHED AT SHEFFIELD. (A. & N.Z.) (Rec. Jan. 21, 12.20 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 20. There are instances of workers adopting a threatening tone regarding the food shortage. A number of workmen at Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, abstained from work, and waited'as a deputation on the local Food Committee. They declared that they were working 16 hours daily on bread and jam. Manchester and the surrounding areas have agreed to adont the ration scheme when the Food Controller is able to guarantee supplies. Crowds at Sheffield besieged Belgian refugees' horseflesh shops, where large sales were made. GERMANY ADMITS CONQUEST HER AIM. PEOPLE DELUDED BY FALSE STORIES OF VICTORY. (A. & N.Z.) (Rec. Jan. 21, 9.25 a.m.) NEW YOEK, Jan. 20. The London correspondent of the "New York Sun" states that, according to advices received through a neutral country Germany no longer pretends to wage a defensive war and frankly avows that it is a Avar of conquest. The whole German Press reflects this changed attitude. The starving people are being deluded into believing that great victories in Russia and Italy demand the fruits for which the leaders are desperately striving.