WAR PROBABLE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8021, 6 January 1906, Page 2

WAR PROBABLE

FRANCE AND GERMANY TALKING FIGHT. MOROCCO THE BONE OF CO>"rE:NTIO>'. GERMANY MASSING TROOPS. London, January 4. Tlic " Times' " Paris correspondent confirms the report that the Kaiser's conciliatory feelings towards France are entirely agreed to by Prince Billow (Imperial Chuucellor). Diplomatists consider that Prince Bulovr is largely responsible for isolation wherefor the Kaiser has hitherto been blamed.

The French declare that Prince Bitlow's counsellors are the Ultramon' tanes, who are influenced by the separation of Church and State in France.

Some Berlin papers are attacking M. Bihaurd, French Ambassador at Berlin. Like attacks are being made on M. Delcasse (late French Foreign Minister). The Paris press retorts that some forms of .satisfaction are never given twice.

It is reported in Berlin tlint the German military authorities have ordered twenty thousand goods trucks abroad to be in readiness by the middle of February.

Many reports have reached France that Germany continues sending troops aud guns to the frontier. It is alleged in Paris that the Kaiser addressed a secret meeting of Generals at Berlin on New Year's Day, the meeting, it is believed, being connected with military preparations.

Renter's Washington correspondent slates that America claims superior rights at the Algeciras Conference owing to her ancient interests in Morocco. Perpetuation of the " open door" and fair trade necessitate America being represented. The Daily Telegraph states that there are rejoicings at Woolwich arsenal over orders for two million rounds of small arms ammunition, forty-six thirteen pounders and eighteen pounders, and one hundred three-pounder guns.

In April it was announced that owing to the German frontier fortifi>-:i-tions having been strengthened, tlf French War Office had decided (■ re-arm all the frontier fortresses. T« months later the French Governmen requested the Belgian Government t. strengthen its defences along the liir on the Mcusc, doubtless to prevent the invasion of France by that route Then, in August, it was "reported thai heavy guns had been added to th defences of Metz, to cover the French railways to Nancy and to Conflans. Early m September the Metz corrcspondent of the Paris newspaper Patrie reported that Germany was continuing actively with her warlike preparations on the frontier, and was concentrating railway stock rear the frontier, ami the frontier roads Mere being repaired. German officers were instructing their men in tactics, suitable only if France were to be invaded. Another report said the French War Office was taking precautions to avoid surprise. A Belgian Socialist deputy, M. Tewagne. j stated in October that Germany had in preparation a plan for building a short railway at a cost of £830,000, to enable the German troops to reach Antwerp, in Belgium, in two hours. A month later the French newspaper Aurore said that Germany intended to obtain economic control of Antwerp, I and then annex the port. Finally, a few days ago, it was reported that so great was the concentration of French i and German troops on the frontier that the Belgian newspapers were publishing alarmist articles. It is evident, from the above cable references that rumours of war arc afloat in Europe, and that for months past there has been a feeling of insecurity in Belgium.