12 JANUARY 1918, Page 2

The break-up of Austria-Hungary, Mr. Lloyd George wont on, was

no part of our war aims. But the causes of unrest in that part of Europe would remain unless genuine self-government on true democratic principles were granted to those Austro-Hungarian nationalities who had long desired it. " The legitimate claims of the Italians for union with those of their own race and tongue " must be satisfied. Justice must be done to men of Rumanian blood and speech in their legitimate aspirations. On these conditions, Austria- Hungary would cease to be a mere instrument of Prussian mili- tarism. As for the Turkish Empire, Arabia, Armenia, Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine must have " a recognition of their separate national conditions," and must not be restored to Turkish rule.