THE MOROCCAN CRISIS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 40, 9 August 1911, Page 5

THE MOROCCAN CRISIS.

MR. LLOYD-GEORGE'S SPEECH. "A PROFOUND BLUNDER." By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, August 7. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, «t ii conference of the Labor Party nt Edinburgh, said Mr. Lloyd-George's statement at the Mansion House about Morocco was a profound blunder. He had possibly warned the Prussian bureaucracy, but his speech had certainly had the effect of paralysing the German peace organisations. The bureaucrats were endeavoring to defeat the Socialists by raising the Imperialist cry. This was successful during the 190G elections, but the Socialists were not desirous of fighting the election on that issue.

GERMANY'S INVITATION. GETTING BACK ON BRITAIN. Berlin, August 7. The Berliner Tageblatt suggests expressing Germany's irritation at British interference in Morocco by absence of enthusiasm at the dedication of King Edward's statue at Homburg next Monday.

FLEET WAITING. FIRST DIVISION READY FOR WAR. ACTIVITY AT PORTSMOUTH. FRANCE RUSHING MUNITIONS TO THE FRONTIER. London, July 29. Though there are signs that a hopeful outcome of the international crisis may be expected, the position is still of great gravity. All last night the great naval depot at Portsmouth was a buzzing hive of industry. Orders were given yesterday that the first division of the Home Fleet, which includes all the big Dreadnought battleships, should finish coaling and provisioning on a war basis by 5 o'clock this morning.

This order was full complied with. In fact, it was obeyed to the letter. At 4 a.m. to-day the last ship signalled "All ready." The whole grim division now lies, under full steam power, inert, but ready for instant action.

EXCITEMENT IN FRANCE. RUSH OF ARMS TO FRONTIER POSTS. Paris, July 29. There is great excitement in France in connection with the crisis. Notwithstanding the more pacific indications that have appeared recently, the Government is making hurried preparations for war. The Cabinet this afternoon voted the entire command of the army to General Jofl'e, whilst it was declared that negotiations were proceeding satisfactorily. The Government has officallv approved of the reorganisation of the "army, the scheme to include the putting of the field forces on a permanent defence basis. In this arrangement the various generals will act as a superior council of war in a consultive capacity. But there are abundant indications that the danger is by no means considered to be at an end.

The whole of the French cavalry forces have 'been ordered to hold themselves in readiness to proceed at once on active service.

Meanwhile trainloads of arms and munitions of war are being rushed to the forts along the frontier. Leave of absence has been cancelled in the case of every regiment without exception. [The nbove cables appeared in Sydney papers last week, and show how very grave the situation was then regarded at Home.]