Lord Lansdowne’s view on the Great War

Lord Lansdowne has made a controversial statement on the issue of the war.

Referring to the proposed League of Nations to enforce peace after the war, he states that it was right to put security in the front line of our peace terms, and it was satisfactory to know that in principal there seemed to be complete unanimity on that point.

In my belief, he says, if the war is to be brought to a close in time to avert a world-wide catastrophe, it will be because on both sides the peoples of these countries involved realise that it has already lasted too long.

An immense stimulus would probably be given to the peace party in Germany if it were understood:

1) that we do not desire the annihilation of Germany as a Great Power; 2) that we do not seek to impose upon her people any form of government other than of their own choice; 3) that except as a legitimate war measure, we have no desire to deny Germany her place among the great commercial communities of the world; 4) that we are prepared to examine the question of the “freedom of the seas”; 5) that we are prepared to enter into an international pact, under which ample opportunities would be afforded for the settlement of international dispute by peaceful means.

Meanwhile, there are great artillery and aerial raids into Germany, Jerusalem has been captured and bombardments continue on the Italian front.