Lloyd George focused on ultimate victory, not armistice

British Premier David Lloyd George told listeners that signing the armistice is not the focus, but certain victory is what counts.

He and Sir Eric Geddes, first lord of the admiralty spoke today at a banquet in London, England.

Banqueters expected George to give further details regarding the signing of a peace agreement with Germany, but were disappointed. “I have no news for you,” George said.

Instead, George emphasised that signing a peace agreement with Germany should be the last thing on the minds of people. Instead, the public should concentrate on the fact that Victory is within reach.

“The issue is settled. In the spring we were being sorely pressed. The channel ports were being threatened and the steel of the enemy was pointed at our hearts,” George said. “It is autumn. The capital of Turkey is now almost within gunfire of our ships. Austria is shattered and broken. The Kaiser and the crown prince have abdicated. A successor has not been found and a regency has been proclaimed. This is judgment – the greatest judgment in the world.”

George stressed that when an armistice is signed the terms will be strict.

“We have no designs on the German people, but we mean to secure beyond all doubt the freedom of our own people,” George said. “The recklessness that placed the world in such awful agony must expect stern reckoning.”

The conditions of the armistice brought all the members of the Empire into consideration and consultation, George said.

“For years we have had a great brotherhood of suffering; we are now going to have a great brotherhood of joy,” he said.

Geddes also commented on the war, and revealed the state of mind of those set to fight at sea.

Navy men waited for what they thought might have been a war at sea,” Geddes said.

“The stage was set for a great sea battle,” Geddes said. “The German navy, I am as convinced as I am standing here tonight, was ordered out and then men would not come. Half the German fleet was flying the red flag – and the German fleet was flying the red flag because it realized that it was not engaged in a good cause.”