Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 75, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 December 1916 — REPARATION BEFORE PEACE, ENGLAND [ARTICLE]

REPARATION BEFORE PEACE, ENGLAND

Bonar Law Makes Statement to Commons. MORE MEN AND CASH VOTED Germany’s Proposals “Premature and Illusory,” Is Russian View—Will Carry on War to Successful Finish. London, Dec. 15. —Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor of the exchequer, said in the house of commons that no proposals for peace had yet been received by the British government from the central powers. He added that the entente allies required adequate reparation for the past and adequate security for the future. The chancellor said : “Financially we cannot hope to go on indefinitely on the present scale, but we can go on long enough to make sure that it will not be from financial causes if we fail to secure victory. Security Still Policy.

“Something has happened of which I think, ft necessary that I .should say a Word. Naturally the papers are full of the peace proposals from .Berlin. Until imw no proposal has reached his majesty's government. It is obvious that under these circumstances no member ’of the government can make any statement on the subject.”“In moving the last vote of credit Mr. Asquith used the words: ‘“They (the allies) require that there shall be adequate security for the future.’ That is still the policy and /still the determination of his majesty’s government.” The statement was received with prolonged and general cheers. The house of commons unanimously adopted a vote of of £400,000,000, moved by the chancellor. This is the fourteenth vote of credit since the beginning of the war.

Total £3,852,000,000. The chancellor said the total amount of votes of credit since the outbreak of the war was £3,852,000.000, including £32,000,000 for extra administration expenses, A supplementary estimate provides for an additional 1,000,000 men of all ranks for the army service during the present financial year. The original estimate was for 4,000,000. Russ Scorns Peace Offer. Petrograd, Dec. 15.—From a “highly authoritative source,” the Novoe Vremya says, it lias obtained the following expression in regard to the peace proposal of the central powers: “The appeal of our enemies is a fresh attempt to cast upon France, Russia and Great Britain the responsibility for the war and a fresh trap for the public opinion of the world. The entente powers would be taking upon their shoulders a terrible responsibility’ before their own people if they stopped the war anti concluded a premature peace which would nullify all their countless sacrifices. The firm resolve of France, Russia and Great Britain to carry on the war to a final triumph cannot be weakened by any Illusory offers from their enemies.”