A Grave Situation

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 30, 29 July 1911, Page 5

A Grave Situation

THE POWERS AND MOROCCO. l?-~ • , DIFFICULT AND HARASSING. '• BRITAIN'S POSITION DEFINED. IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. DISQUIETING POSSHMLITIES. By Cable.—Pr«M AM*c»tiu.—Copyright Received 29, 11.5 p.m. London, July 28. In the House of Commons Mr. Asquith declared that the situation had reached a point at whi«h it would become difficult and harrassing unless a solution was found. A too close analysis of the causes of the present incident might provoke recrimination. He earnestly appealed to the House not to enter into further details. The present 'question in Morocco bristled with difficulties, but in other parts of West Africa Britain ttould not be thanked for interfering with territorial arrangements which Were considered reasonable by those directly interested. Any statement that Britain had prejudiced the negotiations between Prance and Germany was a mischievous invention. It would be a grave mistake to let the situation drift Until the assertion of our interests would cause surprise and resentment.

The Premier proceeded to say that the Government thought it right in the beginning to make it clear that, failing a settlement, they must hecome an active party in the discussion. It might be onr obligation, under the French agreement of 1904, and it might be our duty in defence of the British interests directly affected. He hoped his own statement in the House of Commons three weeks ago and Mr. IJoyd-George's speech at the Mansion House made it perfectly clear we claimed no predominant or pre-eminent position, but merely claimed the position of a party interested in seeing the Bolution of the present difficulties.

UNIONISTS .STANDING BY THE GOVERNMENT. ATTITUDE OF ORGANISED LABOR. Received 28, 9.55 p.m. London, July 28. Mr. Balfour, who had previously been in consultation with Sir E. Grey, emphasised his non-Party attitude, and said that any. critics who counted upon the absorption of the nation in home disputes making it easy to wipe Britain out of the map of Europe, utterly mistook the temper of the British people and the patriotism of the Opposition.

Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald declared that the organised labor forces of all countries would stand for peace in fair or foul weather. He was sorry Mr. DoydGeorge had made his Mansion House speech (Opposition cries of "No!"), because the statement should have been made through private channels. He had not agreed with private negotiations wherein the public were absolutely powerless to influence the direction of the "negotiations. The Labor Party would cooperate with the Laborites of Germany and France to the last moment in the interests of peace. "If the path of peace be-wrecked at the present moment," he said, "we shall stand by peace after it has been wrecked."

WANTON AND FRIVOLOUS INTERFERENCE. A BELLICOSE COMMUNIQUE. GERMAN MENACING ATTIUDE. Received 28, 10 p!m. London, July 27. An inspired and bellicose communique is published in the Lokal Anzeiger, which declares that Germany is indisposed to tolerate wanton and frivolous interference. The watchward "Peace" and the "Hands off!" phrase are much quoted, recalling the late Mr. Gladstone's warning to Austria regarding the occupation of Bosnia in 1878.

Berlin ; July 27. The Kaiser has curtailed his Nor wegian cruise, and returns to Swineraunde to-morrow to consult Ministers.

■ German newspapers are increasingly truculent in tone, and declare that Germany is ready to pIcF up the glove, and any attempt to hold her in will lead to a catastrophe. The Kolnische Zeitung says that the German people arc indisposed to allow themselves to be treated to violence by foreign Powers. Let them beware in London and Paris.