STEALING AN ISLAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVIII, Issue 81917, 1 February 1907, Page 4

STEALING AN ISLAND.

o AMAZING STORY OF GERM i.V LNTlUtil'E.

Berlin, Ueceuihei' !i. An amazing slory of a plot for the seizure by Germany of (lie Island of Fernado I'o, bcoging to .Spain, is puliished liy the Koelnselie YolkczcKuug. , The plot is said to have been revealed by llerr Krzbergei-, a prominent do piity, at a recent eonlidential niccling of the Ulidgcf Cominilte,. of the lloicli-

Arcording to llerr Erzbergor. Or Soulier, a prominent Liberal depulv. iilpronched .1 German colonial adven tiller nained (lorne. in 11)01, and made this extraordinary proposition-. Gorne w-s to settle in Fernando I'o and start firm, or any commercial enterprise be liked. The Ben telle Bank, which is 111 close touch with the Herman Go yerninent, was to lend him £IO.OOO lor the purpose. After settling in Fernando I'o Go-no wa, first to provoke „ dispute will, tec .Spanish authorities, and then to organise a rebellion for the purpose of obtaining possession of Ihe island V Herman Consul, who would be appointed immediately after his arrival, w0n.,1 intervene, and the support of his Governmen'i. would be forthcoming. Dr Semler, who is a member' of Lie Budget. Committee, admitted at the. scere! meeting referred to dial he had conducted negotiations with Gorne in IUO4. but declared he could not l-mem-ber the det-ii's of ti 0 conversation. The Budget Committee decided lo regard llerr Eiv.herger's revelations as confidential, but a member of the Committee revealed them to the Koelnisehe \ olzeitung.