ENGLAND AND GERMANY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8359, 20 February 1913, Page 8

ENGLAND AND GERMANY

REICHSTAG MINUTES MR CBTJECHTLL’S RATIO ACCEPTABLE. DENIAL OF AVERSION TO ENGLAND. By Telegraph— Press Association—Copyright (Received February 19, 11.5 p.m.) BERLIN, February 19. The official minutes of the Reichstag show that Herr von Jagow’s (the Foreign Minister’s) stand, and tile ultimate exchange of ideas wherein he was continuously engaged with the British Government, had an important influence in modifying the difficulties that had arisen in recent months. It is now seen that the two countries had not only points of sentimental contact, but identical material interests. Herr von Jagow said ho was not a prophet, but he hoped that Germany would continue working to, if possible, reap a harvest of co-operation with the British people upon a politically fruitful basis of common interests. Admiral von Tirpitz denied any aversion to England. He said he would be the first to welcome an understanding. Mr Churchill’s ratio of 1.6 to one was acceptable to Germany as regards battleships. This would make it difficult for England to attack Germany. The ratio should be maintained by naval law. More she did not need. She was not striving for a fleet equallising Great Britain’s. She knew nothing of Britain’s willingness to enter into negotiations. If the two countries reached a practicable agreement, then the Naval Act would have done its work, but even for an informal agreement guarantees for accomplishment were necessary. 'Herein lay the difficulty. The problem must be treated on business lines without one party rushing into the other’s arms. HERR VON JAGOW’S DECLARATION WELCOMED. (Received February 19, 11.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 19. The “Daily Chronicle” applauds Germany’s noble part in preventing a European outburst in the Balkans, and says that the same pacific spirit animates the rulers towards England. The paper welcomes Herr von Jagow’s declaration of common interests.