FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1503, 27 July 1912, Page 5

FOREIGN AFFAIRS.

MR. ASQUITH ON THE OUTLOOK.

ANGLO-GERMAN RELATIONS IMPROVED. SOODWILL AND AMITY. By Tcleeraph-Prcsa Association-Copyright (Rec. July 26, 10.5 p.m.) .'■■■. London, July 2G. The Prime Minister, Mr. Asqnilh, in speaking in tho Houso of Commons on the Defence Committee Estimates, indicated that valuable work had been accomplished by the various defenco sub-com-mittees, particularly in the direction of tho co-ordination of various Departments iu war time. ,Ho referred to tho significant and momentous occasion when the overseas Dominions were admitted to the Committee's confidence.

International relations, Mr. Asquith declared were at pTesent most friendly,- Britain's special friendships had stood the ■ tost of time, and he could say deliberately that bo cause existed for quarrelling with any nation. Great Britain's relations with Germany were marked by amity and goodwill, and the conversations initiated, in Berlin by Lord Haldane had been continued in a spirit of frankness on both sides. Ho regretted the lamentable increase in armaments, but all tho Powers ■knew Great Britain had no aggressive purp6se, coveted , no heritage, and had no inclination to extend tho range of her responsibilities. Britain's present expenditure was 6imply for tho insurance of her world-wide interests. Opposition Leader's Doubts. Mr. Bonar La-w, Leader of tho Opposition, said ho mistrusted the Admiralty owing to its vacillation on the Mediterranean position. Tho margin o£ superiority decided was too narrow, and lie feared that there had been some kind of a Cabinet compromise. Foreign Policy Defended. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said none of the Dofenco Committee's decisions had been overruled by the Government. He would inform tho Literal malcontents who blamed the Government's foreign policy for tho increase in armaments, that if they reverted to Britain's former position of "splendid isolation," they would-in-crease the diplomatic friction, and might make it necessary Vnormously to increase British naval strength. He invited tho advocates of a limitation of armaments to say whether the basis of agreement should bo the British Fleet's superiority or inferiority.

CABINET BARGAIN. INSURANCE BILL V. NAVY, '-.. (Ecc. July.2s, 10.25 p.m.) London, July 26. "The Times" says the Cabinet compromise mentioned by Mr. Bonar Law in his speech in Parliament, takes the form of refusing more than a million of tho surplus to the Navy as a set-off to the refusal to allot oue or'two millions for Insurance Act purposes. THE MARGIN OR'SUPERIORITY. ■ GRADUAL WHITTLING DOWN. (Rec. July 2G, 10.25 p.m.) : London, July 2G. The' newspapers ■ comment on Mr. Chnirchill's gradual whittling of the CO per cent, margin of superiority in Dreadnoughts, as demanded by him in. hia , speech.on tho Navy Estimates earlier in the year. SIX MILLIONS FOR DREADNOUGHTS, CONTRIBUTION.' (Reo. July 26, 10.25 p.m.) London, July 26. The "Daily Mail*' states that Mr. Bordeu, Prime Minister of Canada, and his colleagues, are prepared to recommend a contribution of ,£G,000,000 for tho construction of Dreadnoughts. THE TIES OF EMPIRE, t ■ i TOUR BY ME. ASQUITH SUGGESTED. (Eeo. July 20, 10.25 p.m.) London, July 26. "Tho Times" suggests that the Prime Minister, Mr. Asquith, and Mv. Churchill, Fi|rst Lord of tho Admiralty, should visit Canada in recess, thus making a new f date in the annals of Empire, and knit closer the ties which the visit of tho Canadian Ministers to England has tended to strengthen. , FRENCH NAVAL PLANS, &' DEMAND TOE INCREASES. Paris, July 25. The newspapers are demanding increased expenditure on naval construction in view of tho Austro-Hungarian and Italian naval programmes. ANGLO-GERMAN RELATIONS. (Rcc. July 2C, 10.25 p.m.) London, July 26. Lord Beauchamp, in presiding over, the International Health Congress, which is being attended by 350 English and German scientists, expressed Britain's desire for friendly relations with Germany, and said he honed tho only rivalry would he the peaceful one of science.