SIR E. GREY'S SPEECH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1299, 30 November 1911, Page 7

SIR E. GREY'S SPEECH.

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. REPLY TO CRITICISMS. By Telegraph—Prcse Araociatlon-Cooyriirlit London, November 28, Tho House of Commons discussed Sir Edward Grey's foreign policy speech. Mr. Mac Donald (Labour) strongly disapproved of a. continuation of the Lnnsdowno policy. Ho declared that Air. Lloyd-George's speech had been unfortunate. Sir Edward Grey's narrative was essentially n dramatic condemnation of secret diplomacy. Ho suggested an inquiry as to the best means of keeping the Hoiue of Commons in touch with foreign affairs. Mr. John Dillon (Nationalist) attacked the Government's policy with regard to Persia. Mr. J. F. Mason (Unionist) denounced tho Italian atrocities in Tripoli. Mr. Asquith, Primo Minister, said that diplomacy was necossarily secret; .no country could carry on diplomacy with tho cards on the table, the doors open, and the blinds up. They must negotiate under confidence, but the people were not necessarily kept in darkness. There wore no secret, treaties now unpublished. Britain did not desire to stand in the way of any Power wishing to find a place under the sun. British friendships wore neither exclusive nor jealous, and he would be glad if they could be enlarged to include others. Sir Edward Grey, replying to criticisms, said tbo policy of Mr. Morgan Shuster, in charge of the Persian Treasury, was Anglicising the Persian Civil Service, which was contrary to tho spirit of the Anglo-Russian Agreement. The debate was adjourned sino die. In his published statement indicting the Russian and British Governments Mr. Morgan Shustcr, tho Treasurer-Gen-eral, says that the final refusal of Russia to withdraw from the unwarranted coercion of the Persian Government in the case of Major Stokes and the complete British acquiescence in that coercion plainly signify that Great Britain and Russia have no genuine sympathy with Persian financial reform' and national progress. Friendly dispositions and words are limited to those matters which are considered as not affecting the interests of either Power, and they avail little, especially when tho?o interests deliberately _ disallow Persian sovereignty to-day besides foreshadowing partition in the future. Tho definite engagement of Russia and Great Britain to respect Persian independence in tho oft-quoted Convention of 1907 docs not accord with frequent attempts to thwart any progress and tho re-establishment of Persian sovereignty. Fortunately now the truth is made plain. Workers for Persia cannot mistake the attitude of Great Britain and Russia. Mr. Shuster concludes:"During tho conversations which I had on the Stokes contract I made every effort to meet the claims of both Governments, even offering to limit the employment of Major Stokes to ten months, but both Governments persisted in denying to Persia the simplest sovereign rights, r.nd Persia's acceptance of the Russian and British demands means a clear abdication of her sovereignty." NEWSPAPER COMMENTS. London, November 28. The newspapers generally applaud Sir Edward Grey's speech. They hope that better relations with Germany will be established now that the Morocco question has been removed. "The Times" says it is difficult to explain Herr von Kiderlen-Wachter's singular lapses of memory. .The "Daily News", expresses disappointmiit at the chilliness of Sir Edward Grey's response to the Reichstag's appeal for better relations. "The "Westminster Gazette" "(Independent) and tho "Pall Mall Gazette" (Unionist) are agreed that Sir E. Grey, Mr. Asquith, and Mr. Bonar Law struck the right note. The wholo tendency of the debate was towards a better understanding. Tho "Pall Mn(l Gazette" especially eulogises Sir Edward Grey's firmness and candour.

The "Star" (Liberal) says threo capital errors -were mado in Morocco—first, the marching by French troops tm Fez; second, tho dispatch of tho German warship Panther to Agadir; and, third, Mr. Lloyd-Georgo's speech. Tho moral for the threo nations—France, Germany, snd Britain—is that they must control their diplomacy with a firmer hand. OPINIONS IN PARIS. London, November 28. The Paris newspapers chorus their approval of Sir Edward Grey's firmness and moderation, which they say is calculated to reassure Europe , and help to malnuwu peace. They rejoice that tho Franco-British cntonto is more thau a shadowy expression. GERMAN PAPERS QUERULOUS. Berlin, Ntovomber 28. Tho pan-German nowspapers querulously comment on Sir Edward Grey's speech. The "Lokal Anzeiger" says tho speech was tranquil, and tallied with Herr ron Kiderlen-Wachter's.

Ihe "National Zeitnng" remarks that Sir Edward Grey placed himself on a pedestal and lectured German diplomacy. The "Berliner Tageblatt" blames Herr yon Kidcrlen-Wachter for not furnishing Great Britain with a reasonable explanation between July 1 and 21, and for doing ntothiug to prevent a crisis. It accuses Britain of claiming the right to control the wholo of the African coast, and adds: "We join with the whole oi public opinion in Germany in rejecting any universal British right of veto. The "Vossischo Zeituug" says:' "Sir Edward Grey's speech alters nothing." The Socialist paper "Vorwaerts"' says the speech of Sir E. Grey was thorough, ly conciliatory, showing a readiness to promote the improvement of An"lo-Ger-man relations. THE, LIE DIRECT. Berlin, November 28. There is extraordinary excitement here. Tho streets are crowded with people buying special issues of the papers containing tho report of Sir E. Grey's speech. They are paying sixpence a copy. The report of tho speech is still incomplete, but tho first impression is that Sir Edward Grey lias givon Herr von Kiderlen-Wachter the lie direct. STOCK EXCHANGE EFFECT. London, November 28. The speech has made a good impression on the Stock Exchange. MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S PROJECT. Lor/don, November 28. In tho House of Commons, Mr. F. D. Acla-nd, Parliamentary Tinder-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, informed Mr. John Dillon (Nationalist) that there was no record of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain's alleged project for the partition of Morocco and tho giving to Germany of a port in the Atlantic. LORD MORLEY'S VIEWS. BETTER RELATIONS DESIRED. (Rec. November 29, 10.50 p.m.) London, November 29. t In the House of Lords, Lord Courtney of Pemith, in initiating a debate on

Sir E. Grey's statement, attacked the Government's policy in Morocco. Lord Morley said tho essenco of tho 1901 agreement was thai. Britain should have a freo hand in the affairs of Egypt, and France the same in Morocco; it would be intolerable if Britain should take her sharo of the profits and (hen refuse France hers. There was no reason why Germany's naval expansion should impair tho desire for cordial friendship, which was pervading the whole nation. It was natural Germany shtuld desire to find territories for her surplus population. Lord Lansdowno by the 1901 agreement rendered a great international service. Sir Edward Grey's speech was ouo of tho most remarkable- a Foreign Secretary ever delivered. It echoed what ho believed was tho general desiro for better relations with Germany. In the House of Commons members are being snowed under by protests. THE MOROCCO AGREEMENT. (Rec. November 29, 10.50 p.m.) Paris, November 2fl. The Committee of Foreign Affairs, by 15 votes to 2, ratified tho agreement with Germany. Eight abstained from voting.