NAVY-BUILDING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 282, 22 August 1908, Page 5

NAVY-BUILDING.

BRITISH PROGRAMME FOR FOUR YEARS KAISER'S ATTITUDE. AN MORE CORDIAL GERMAN POLICY. (DT lILEGBArn—PKESS ASSOCIATION—COriBIGUT.) London, August 21. The "Vossiscbe Zeitung" publishes, a statement to the effect that Sir Charles Hardingc, British 'Permanent Under-Secre-tary for Foreign Aifairs, intimated when at Kronberg that it was Britain's intention to introduce a Bill to arrange for four years' shipbuilding. Tho Kaiser, it is said, replied that such a step would not bo regarded with animosity, and would not provoke counter moasure3. On tho ground that tho foreign .editor of the "Vossische Zeitung" is an old friend of Prince von Bulow, tho Imperial 'Chancellor, and that the newspaper' has often been utilised to announce events in a less formal manner than semi-officially, tho "Daily Telegraph's" Berlin correspondent credits tho abovo statement. ' Tho correspondent adds: "Tho myth regarding Britain's so-called isolating policy •has been exploded, and tho wholo account of the interview points to a fundamental change in Germany's attitude towards Groat Britain."MR. LLOYD-GEORGE IN BERLIN. "NO POLITICAL MISSION." (Rec. August 21, 9.40 p.m.) London, August 21. Mr. Lloyd-George, British Chancollor of the Exchequer, has arrived in Berlin. / His secretary asserts that ho has no political mission. No proposals arc to bo made, but his visit is not without political significance. The Prime Minister, Sir. Asquith, and the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey, have had prolonged interviews with the Permanent Under-Secretary of the Foreign Office, Sir Charles Hardingo, sinco Sir Charles Hardinge's return from Germany. Mr. Lloyd-George lately advocated a good understanding with Germany in order ,to reduce the cost of armaments. He and Mr. Winston Churchill have been accused of trespassing on the domain of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs.