FINAL NEGOTIATIONS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2224, 10 August 1914, Page 5

FINAL NEGOTIATIONS

r; DETAILS PUBLISHED BRITISH NEUTRALITY MUCH . DESIRED ; i '-c, •; * London, August 6. A Wliite taper containing Sir Edward Grey's - correspondence . with the European Powers h&9"'beerr issued. Britain's active participation in the dtsoussioiH ' started with a suggestion that a con-, ferenco might avert the Austro-Servian But Germany struck a discordant 'note on the 27tli by likening the proposed conference to a Lourt'of Arbitration, and .refusal to entertain the idea. Sir William Goschen, British- Ambassador to Germany, had a conversation with the German Secretary of' State, Herr von Jagcw, and learned that if Russia moLilised on the south, Germany would not'mobilise, but that if Russia mobilised on the north Germany would havo to do -so. The Secretary of State added: - But as the Russian system is so complicated,. - it might be difficiiit to locate her mobilisation. Germany will thereforo have to be careful not to be taken by surprise. Oil the 28th the German Chancellor, Herr von . Bethmann-Hollwcg, told sir William Goschen ■■ that war'between tho ereat Powers must be avoided. Xhcteupon the whole cboioe of the methods by wliich mediation might bp put into operation was placed in Germany s hands, if only Germany would press tho button in the interests of peace. * On -the 29th. Hon- von Bethmann-HOll-weg, after n visit to'the Kaiier. at:-Eots-~ dam. told Sir William .Goscben that if Russia attacked Austria, Germany would aid Austria and a European conflagration might beoome inevitable,- owing to Ger-. many's obligations to her ally. Horr von Bethmann-Holtweg then proceeded ;that.;he hoped for neutrality. Britain's Attitude. Sir J Edward; 'Grey, informed. Sir William Goschen tlwt ho had suggested to Prince Liclmowsky, the German Ambas- „ sador to Britain,' that. Germany should put forward a ■ proposal - which would make it clear that Germany , and Austria wore strong to preserve peace. If • 'Riissia. and.: France, were t unreasonable, ■ and the proposal- were rejected ho (Sir Edward Grey) would, support it at St., , Petersburg; and. Par's. R the two Governments ■ declined . to it'.' Britain would have' nothing- further to dp with the i consequences; , but,-, . otherwise, if,. Franco.be camc 'involved. Britain would bo' .drawn in. ' , ... • Sir William Goschen tho same day informed Sir Edward Grey that the, Ger,. man Government hail received word or tht> Russian mobilisation, and' had followed suit. After ihat camel the violation of Belgian territory.; > M ... Herr von Bethm.wn-HoHwcg... said -itwas clear that Great' Britain Would not. stand by and allow France'to bo crushed-, in any conflict with Germany* However, 1 - tba)t waa not aimed "at;; Provided Bri- - tain's neutrality was certain, no territorial acquisition at France's expense if Germany were victorious would ensuo. • The Frtrich Colonies. Sir William GftscliMi, British Ambassador #t Bejrlin, jwVod what w«s the position regarding the French cbl&aies. Herr yon Bethmann-Hollwcg repliM

that he was unable to give a similar undertaking ih that reapectt * < would respect Holland's integrity- and neutrality, but it depended on France , wh^f- Germany might forced to in'regard-to Belgium.", - -t. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg trusted that ' these .jassuranoes 1 would -iorm 'the basis of an Anglo-German tinderstanding. -Ho very muoh desired neutrality 'lind-an agiccment with- England, -though it -was too early to discuss details. Replying to Herr von Bethmann-Holl-wcg'a inquiry..as ,to:Hoiv the.proposal:was likely to appeial to Sir Edward Grey/ Sir AVilliam- Goschen replied-that-he i thought Sir Edward: Grey ,w;ould not cflro. to bind himself, but would retain liberty. GERMAN STATEMENT OF'THE • case: BRITAIN'S .CONDITIONS. (Reo. August 9, 9.30 a.m.) , .. . : Washington,,> August 7. Daniel Von Haimhauscr,: the: head of ■ tho German .Embassy at Washington during Count Bernstorff's absonce, asserts, that Sir Edward Grey tried to Jmpose on * Germany, before,sheattacked-Liege, conditions.: which, 'if ._acceptcd, .wo.uld.. have ; of;-the:entire German fleet.Britain's' declaration was hot : .wjiplly .paused,: .bjr. ; the. invasion of : Bel- - gium, biitrVbyßritain's .refusal, : tain Germany'sl'terms:; ;Britain'jimposed the followiiif -conditions:—Germany not 1 to attack :any . part of the north coast of France; German.' troops, 'not to'.'pass, • through ■ Belgian territory;: the German ~ navy .not to.'attaclc.-the Russian navy: in ! tho Baltic. : . Dr. Von Haimhaueer asserted that agree- ' roent to .these conditions: would have neu-i : tralised the entire naval forces of Ger-' many.- - The . French '.'army officers, in motor-cars, infringed.: Belgian. neutrality before-the Germans, while Belgium itself promised ,to /openV Antwerp'.Harbour to :■ '.low the landing of British troops. Un- , -der these circumstances, Germany refused Britain's domands.,