BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1306, 8 December 1911, Page 4

BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR SPEAKS"HARD PENCIL OF MISTRUST." GERMANY WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE 8j ToleeraDk—Preao Ansoelatlon-floDyrlelit Berlin, December 0. In his speech in tho Reichstag, in reply to that delivered in the British House of Commons by Sir Edward Grey, .Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Herr von Bethmann-Hollwog, Imperial Chancellor, defended secret discussions as a method of ensuring success in international negotiations. It was noticeable that Herr von Beth-mann-Hollweg was silent regarding British obligations of honour towards France. Ho contended that tho-Anglo-French Treaty of 1901 was an initial error leading the Germans to Algeciras, and finally to Agadir, in defence of their economic interests, and with the determination not to bo pushed aside. If the ultimate consequence was tho supposed or roil readiness for war on tho part of Britain and a state of political alcoholism in tho world, ho maintained that Germany was not responsible. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg added: "If friendship i-i destined to be inscribed upon tho clean 6late that has been epoken of between Britain and Germany, it must not be ecratched in tho hard pencil of mistrust." Ho appealed to Germans to show neither depression nor Chauvinistic pride, but clear vision, qniet resolve, and unbroken unity on groat national questions. Herr Bebel, Socialist Leader, declared that the dispatch of tho German warship Panther to Agadir had Ixson a menace and a warning to France. Ho added that Britain had been justified in the action sho took. The spokesmen of other parties advocated a prudent, firm policy. Closure of tho debate was agreed to. A resolution by the Centre party, providing that alterations with respect to colonial territory could only occur through a. decreo of the Reichstag, was unanimously adopts. The session of tho Reichstag was closed. London, December 6. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, speaking at Plymouth, said that if tho Moroccan depression is passing, the diplomatic barometer should begin to rise. It was uude.sira.ble to tap! it every livo minutes; it would !» better to have a few weeks' diplomatic repose. UNFOUNDED SUSPICION. . London, December S. Mr. Phil Snovrden, Labour M.P., writing* to tho newspaper "Christian Commonwealth," state that a better nnder- , standing with Germany is impossible wliilo Sir Edward Grey is at tho Foreign Office. Unfounded suspicion fills Sir Edwaid Grey's mind and influences all his actions. lew English newspapers comment on Herr ron Bethmann-Hollweg's speech. A general desire is expressed to close the incident.