BRITAIN'S POLICY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1332, 9 January 1912, Page 5

BRITAIN'S POLICY.

SIR E. GREY'S GREAT SPEECH

On Monday, November 27, Sir Edward Grey made his statement to the House of Commons on Anglo-German relations in connection with Morocco.

The House was crowded in every part, and tho back benches wero packed to a degree not reached since tho exciting days of the summer. A group of Ambassadors, grave, impassive, deeply attentive, sat watching tho scene from the seats in tho galleries reserved for distinguished visitors.

Never had a statesman a more attentive and appreciative audience. Ho was repeatedly cheered from both sides of tho Jlouse, and Mr. Bonar Law and Mr. Austen Chamberlain frequently endorsed some striking utterance with "Hrar, hoar, hear, hear."- . ■Sir K. Urey divided his speech into threo parts. The first was a narrative of what took place in the summer between the German Ambassador and himself; in the second part he sought to measure the real amount of tension between Germany and this country in reBard to the Moroccan <iuestion, and-about this, he said, there had been so much suspicion and gossip that temper was still exacerbated, although the crisis wus past; and, thirdly, ho made some general remarks on our* foreign policy and commented' on the recent speeches of tho Gorman Chancellor, which seemed to him to be of hopoful augury. In tho course of his speech, Sir E. Grey said the strength of Germany was a guarantee that no country would seek to pick a quarrel with her. That was ono side of the shield of which Germany might well bo proud. But, continued the right hon. gentleman impressively, there was another sido. When ono nation had the biggest Army in the world, and a big Navy which.it was going to increase, it must do all in its power to prevent a natural apprehension that it had aggressive intentions. Ho did not believe, however, that Germany had such designs, and all that we and other neighbours of hers desired was to livo with her on equal terms. But it would )k disastrous, he went on, were- wo to proclaim that* in no circumstances would wo give a friendly Power assistance. That would be to revert to the policy of splendid isolation, which would deprive us of the possibility of having a friend in Europe, and in the course of a fc-w years wo should be building warships, not against'any probable combination, but against the united navioa of Europe, Admonishing members on his own sido who indulged in constant criticism of tho internal affairs of other countries, he told them frankly that tho effect of isolation or of interference would be to destroy the peaco which it was desired to preserve. He wished to improve our relations with Germany, but, he declared emphatically, it was an essential condition that our friendship with other countries should be maintained unimpaired. He denied that wo objected to Germany's colonial aspirations, and, referring to tho German Chancellor's recent spceehes, he Raid that if their spirit was that of German all excuse for talking about a European war would disnppenr. ''A few years hence," said Sir E. Grey, in conclusion, "I believe that to-day's share of the balance of loss and gain to each country will seem a comparatively small matter. The great matter will be that Morocco will no longer trouble the pmco of Europe. For years the fiitcstion lms been the discomfort of Europe. I beievo (hat if wo had taken less interest in it wo should have fallen short of our due care for British interests and been inconsistent in regard to tho fulfilment of our trrnty with Prance. If this has been amicably and permanently settled it must tend to the pejicp of Europe. If that Iμ so, I claim that the part the Government has taken has contributed materially to that result." (Cheers.) Tho Primo Minister emphasised the general policy laid down by Sir Edward Grey. "Wo havo no desire to stand in the way of another Power which wants to find its place in the sun." He denied that the Foreign Office had been unduly secretive. Diplomacy was a confidential occupation. "It cannot be carried on with all the cards on the table, with the blinds drawn up and the windows open so that every wayfarer mny look in and overy eavesdropper listen and find out what is going on."

FOREIGN COMMENT. GERMAN. . "The real significance of the speecli lies in its outlook upon the future. The desire to live on an equal footing with Germany is absolutely identical with German desires, but a theoretical agreement has not hitherto been sufficient to prevent people in Germany always having tho feeling that Germany is not always treated on on equal footing by England. One cannot get away from that. It explains tho embittered state of mind prevailing in Germany. * One does not beHeyo in Germany cither in tho possibility of forcing the pace in the improvement of our relations, but one is convinced that a slower improvement is only to be brought about if England nn her side .'hows us somewhat- more goodwill nnd does not always place obstacles in tho nay of Germany's endeavours, even in case-) when no English interests nro involved."—"Cologne Gazette." "Sir K, Grey's declaration was a polemic against the statement of Tlerr ven KidcTlen-Wnechter to tho Budget Commission of the Reichstag. Sir E. Grey has placed himself on a pedestal from which ho lectures German diplomacy on diplomatic usage. s . lie was unable to explain what led him to make such a monstrous assertion as that England would acknowledge no new arrangements which were mado without her."—"National Zei-t-ung." "Jt must be acknowledged that tho speecli is couched in a very tranquil tone and in language suited to the seriousness of the subject. On tho whole, Sir E. Grey's version tallies with that of the German foreign Office. There if, however, a contradiction in respect to tho assertion that (he British Government received no information with regard to the intentions of Germany from July 1 to 24. Tho real facts will undoubtedly bo brought to light in tho courso of further discussions of the Jlorocejin Treaty in the ltcichslag. Although tho experiences of recent months cannot, and will not, bo forgotten by Germany, tho Gorman noople will nevertheless rejoice if the peaceful assurances of British statesman havo more tlian a day's duration."—"Lokal Anzciscr."

"We join with the whole of public opinion iii Germany in rejecting nny universal l-iiiglivh right of veto. Sir Edward Grey closed with an appeal to Germany. Tlio German peonlo is willing with all its heart to elat-p I lie hand offered in honour, but. finds in Sir Edward Grey's .-pooch ii strongly defined contradiction. According to Sir Edward Grey, England wiints to live on a footing of equality wilh Germany, hut his utterances proved that England thi?) summer placed herself on a higher tool inn—that of controller of tho world. If this is changed every reasonable German will bo completely satisfied, but an unlimited right of veto is not suited to this age."—"Tagcblntt." "To-day wo woo England's friendship no more. Wp do not expect ft declaration of Invo in ten days. So far as can be judged. Sir E. Grey's speech will alter nothing either in political conditions or in lwliUcnl feelings."—"Vossiche Zeitung.

/'Sir E. Grt-y made, ;i thoroughly conciliatory speech, avoiding sharp words and giving clear expression to tho readiness of the British Government to promoto an improvement in Anglo-German relations."—"Vonvaerts."

FRENCH. "Is Sir Edward Grey's speech pacific?— Iμ, certainly. Is it; gracious towards Germany .'-It is. Is it affectionate towards 1 ranee?— Assuredly. Bu,t before all, above- oil, it is English, exclusively English, nobly English, violently English. And nobody can bo either surprised, disappointed, or disturbed at this."Le Figaro." "Tho speech, which does honour to the statesman who made it, will reassure Europe after (he disquieting rumoure of war of tho summer and autumn. In the last few months Great Britain has shown that she has no need to bind herself for the. work of maintaining peaco and the balanco of power in Europe."—"Lβ letit Parisien." "The British Minister expressed himself with a frankness, a loyalty, and a moderation which will bo strikingly felt in tho Chancelleries of Europe."—"Excelsior." "His language is the language of lovalty. Prance cannot ask for more. The best cementing of the Entente Cordiale is a community of interests between the two friendly Powers. Tho Moroccan affair is a striking proof of this."—"La Petit Republiiiue." AUSTRIA. 'The feeling that has spread, not only abroad but also in Gormany, that German statecraft is not equal to its task is confirmed again decisively bv Sir E. Grey's statement of the facts "of tho . case. If Germany's prestige is to remain undiminished—and this is Austria's most heartfelt wish—political and personal changes in the administration of her foreign policy are desirable."—The "Zeit." "Politicians hope that Monday's speech will con tribute to tho world's peace overywhero and facilitate the improvement of Anglo-German relations, oven if this is only possible step by stop."—"Tagblatt." UNITED STATES. As Fashoda was a defeat for France, so Agiidir, as explained by Sir Edward Grey, must bo interpreted as an equally signal reverso-'for. Germany, and it leaves British prestige in Europe higher than at any time during the last decade.—"New York Sun." Jji'ji'iin has returned to li° r former practice ol participation in Continental Politics, bnf Her Entente with -France is ileiensivo, not offensive. In the future it,will be understood on the Continent concerning: Britain, as it is concerning the United States, that it is quite possible for her to look out for her own interests without evil designs against those of another Power, and to be friendly with one nation without being necessarily hostile to another.—"New York Tribune."

Simply because Sir B. Grey's official narrative of tho Morocco incident happens to be told with a mannerly and soothing phrase, it docs not alter the vital fact that Britain's intervention in the FrancoGerman dispute was really what prevented war.—"Not York Press."