SOME INTERESTING HISTORY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2519, 21 July 1915, Page 8

SOME INTERESTING HISTORY

GERMAN OVERTURES TO BRITAIN

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. July 20, 8.5 p.m.) Amsterdam, July 20. A semi-official, statement in the "Hord Deutsche Allgemeine Zeitung" details the diplomatic, negotiations for an An-glo-Gorman rapprochement in 912, in winch Lord Haldane took a prominent part. The German Government desired a reciprocal treaty of neutrality. Germany's first formula ran: "Should one of_ the contracting parties be engaged in war, the' other shall adopt at least an attitude of benevolent neutrality and exert every effort to localise the war.

Britain considered that this proposal went too far, and as a oonnt-er proposal offered: ''Britain shall make no unprovoked attack upon Germany, and snail refrain from an aggressive policy," adding a declaration that "an attack on Germany does not form the object of any treat, nor is it tho" aim of' any combination to which Britain belongs, nor will Britain be a party to any such agreement."

Germany considered that these assurances already existed, in the lelations between civilised States, and as a coun-ter-proposal offered tho following formula: "Should one of the' contracting 'parties be involved. in war, and it cannot be said that that Power is tlie aggressor, then the other ' will. observe at least an attitude of benevolent neutrality, and strike to . localise the conflict.*' '

Sir Edward Grey reiterated his offer to promise not to participate in an unprovoked attack. Germany finally made further negotiations dependent upon Britain's assent to the following clause; "Britain will naturally preserve an attitude of benevolent neutrality hi the event of war being forced upon Germany." Sir Edward Grey declined this formula, fearing that this would endanger existing friendly relations between' Britain and other Powers.