Mr. Asquith in a weighty speech showed that Mr. MacDonald
was building castles in the air. The Reichstag had no influence upon the German Government, and its resolution was "-an array of more or less ambiguous generalities," to which the new Chancellor had given a "very tepid benediction." It was said that the Reichs- tag -repudiated a peace with annexations. The Allies, for their part, were fighting for nothing but freedom, and nothing short of freedom. If the new Chancellor really accepted our fundamental principle that the smaller nationalities 'hail be guaranteed their liberties, he could easily- prove his sincerity by evacuating Belgium, indemnifying her for the colossal mischief that the Gerinans- have done, and agreeing to respect her independence in future. That was a -plain test of the sincerity, not of the Reichstag but of the Government, in talking vaguely. about peace. Mr. Boone Law, who followed, -said that the Allies were fighting for peace -and security for .peace in the time to come. We should achieve. it by holding on our course, not by faltering or-parleying with the enemy at the:gate.
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