View source for Speech of Arthur Henderson, unofficial Member of the British Cabinet, London, December 16, 1916

<p align="right"> [[Main_Page | WWI Document Archive ]] > [[1916 Documents]] > [[Official Communications and Speeches Relating to Peace Proposals 1916-1917]] > '''Speech of Arthur Henderson, unofficial Member of the British Cabinet, London, December 16, 1916'''</p><hr>

Speech of Arthur Henderson, unofficial Member of the British Cabinet, London, December 16, 1916<sup>1</sup><br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The British people, with their national love of peace, were anxious <br>
that the real meaning of the German proposals should be appreciated. <br>
But the Government knew nothing concerning the text of the proposals, <br>
and Germany's motives must for the present remain a matter of specu- <br>
lation. But, judging from past and from recent events, we might an- <br>
ticipate, without over-assumption, that any proposals Germany might <br>
put forward would not err on the side of magnanimity. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any proposals put forward must be examined with the greatest pos- <br>
sible care. We of all people must not forget that Germany was pre- <br>
pared for peace with this country as late as August, 1914. But on <br>
what conditions? That we were prepared to betray France and ac- <br>
quiesce in the violation of the neutrality of Belgium, which Germany, <br>
like ourselves, had on oath sworn to maintain. The lesson to be learned <br>
from her present desire for peace was that any proposal received must <br>
be scrutinized in the light of our obligations to our Allies, to whom <br>
we were pledged to make no separate peace. However convenient it <br>
might be for Germany to ignore her responsibility in this great war, <br>
however far she might ignore her responsibilities to small nationalities, <br>
it was loyalty on our part to our brave and loyal comrades that must <br>
bind us to the end. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Subject to these considerations, the people of this country were pre- <br>
pared to-day, as in August, 1914, to accept peace, provided that that <br>
peace was both just and permanent. But there was one supreme con- <br>
dition — namely, that the principles governing any decision must be <br>
those on which we entered, and on which we were continuing, the war. <br>
We entered the war in defence of small nationalities, to defend France <br>
from wanton aggression, and to preserve our own security. Indemnity <br>
for the past was not enough unless we had guarantees for the future; <br>
and guarantees for the future were not enough without ample repara- <br>
tion for all that Belgium, France, Serbia and Poland had suffered. The <br>
peace into which we entered must contain guarantees for its own dura- <br>
tion. Germany might have such a peace if she furnished us with proof <br>
of her good intentions. <br>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But, he concluded, if her present overtures are merely a pretence; <br>
if it is shown that she is merely arranging an armistice, to enable her <br>
to obtain a breathing-space that will furnish her with the opportunity <br>
to lay fresh plans of aggression, then I say, whatever may be the temp-<br>
tation to the people of these islands, we must set our faces like the steel <br>
you work upon against her proposals. <br>

<hr>
<sup>1</sup><i>The Times</i>, London, December 16, 1916