BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 730, 1 February 1910, Page 4

BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

'; Much interest . was .naturally taken in Great Britain, in the first Bpeechin the Keichstag of tho, new Gorman Chancellor, Hemj von Beth-' hann HoLLWEGj. the ' successor" of Piiinoe Bulotv.' The speech was delivered on December 10, and a second speech was made by the hew Chancellor tho following day, , but so'far as;they referred to .the relations between Great Britain and Germany they contained very little that. was new. Tho most amiable sentiments towards Great Britain wero expressed, but no assurance was given of the harmless object of tho German shipbuilding programmo, and/Englishmen were left to derive more

satisfaction from the general peaceful complexion which the Chancellor gave to intended German policy than from any specially definite remarks. Speaking on: the first day Heee von Bethmann Houarai declared: "Wliat our people desires in tho first place is not to be disturbed in its actual work, whether economic or intellectual, either at home'or abroad, in the markets of the world, by unrest or experiments. It wishes to be supported and encouraged by a policy of continuity and stability at home and abroad." The remarks were made in the course of a consideration of domestic politics, but

it was impossible to overlook their international significance. The idea was reiterated by the new Chancel-, lor in his second speech.. After a reference to tho tone-of tho Russian press, a. section of which, he said, made it its business to "attribute to Germany adventurous , purposes I which menaced ■ the peace of '.' the. world,", the Chancellor :said it : was all the more necessary for German policy, which knew no such purposes, to be .conducted with calm and steadfastness and freedom from nervousness of, any kind. Tho disturbing factor in the German policy of recent years, as The Times pointed out,'has been the absence of the qualities here emphasised.' ', .■■'■■■

Speaking directly of the German policy as it affects Great Britain, the new Chancellor said:—"l can,

I think, correctly describe; the state of' official' Anglo-German : relations by the following statement: English statesmen, and especially the Priine Minister, -.haveVin. recent speeches described the. restoration of good relations between England and Germany.as an important .task: of wisa' statesmanship. I can . . from,. this place with nothing but sincerity and complete; conviction' reciprocate this statement .of. views. and ■ attitude. I am certain that we .come'' the closer to the goal,.at which, we ;are bothaiming,-: and that wo. thereby the better serve;.the true ■.interests '-of both countries, the more' -freely, and loyally this view is put into practice', in• the .conduct .and the .solution of questions':which afEect both r-coun-, tries." 'Even tho Liberal papers are unable to derive any enthusiastic satisfaction from theSo: remarks, and TM Times, .while admitting- their unexceptionable tenor, reminds ;its readers that the' German Estimates for the year show .an ; increased expenditure on the navy in striking contrast to the economies effected in other directions, adding. that■ ■ while the friendlier tone of German official

.utterances is to be welcomed, thepredominarice of the British fleet must be steadily'maintained "as the only real guarantee- of, our safety.' , ;, There is as:.'little- reason as ever -for hoping; that the 'British : Government; can honourably ask the .British people to consent to a slackening:', of".'■ naval, energy. \ ; '. •'; "/.'; ''■■■'•■'. :/-',■/■:''.;: