THE EUROPEAN CLOUD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 74, 18 September 1911, Page 5

THE EUROPEAN CLOUD

GERMAN BAXKS' RISKS. GOVERNMENT'S INDEMNITY SCHEME. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 16, 5.5 p.m. London, September 16. Mr. Oppcnheimer, British Consul-Gen-eral at Frankfort, in his annual report, emphasises the serious risks incurred by German banks financing industries on their present large scale, and adds that the Government has a scheme ready whereby all withdrawals and deposits will be legally stopped on the outbreak of hostilities, the Government holding itself responsible for one year's interest. MORE HOPEFUL PROSPECT. FRENCH REPLY SATISFACTORY. Received 16, 3 p.m. '« •■ '■ London, September 16. '- 'Reuters Berlin correspondent reports that official circles state the French reply to be thoroughly satisfactory, and that an agreement has been reached on a majority of outstanding points.

THE REPORTED FRENCH CONCES-

SIONS. The area of France is about 200,000 square miles, so,.if Renter's information is correct, the French Government is prepared to hand over some 130,000 square miles of African territory to Germany. The district of Rio Muni, otherwise Spanish Guinea, south of which France, according to Reutcr. proposes to give Germany access to the sea, is a small Spanish possession in West Equatorial Africa, situated between Cameroon arid the Muni river on the north and south and the Gulf of Guinea and longitude 11.20 east, on the west and east. Libreville, north of which access to the sea is- to be allowed, is a town of French Congo, on the north shore of the Gabun, or Gaboon, estuary. The Übanghi river, the greater part of which is apparently to be ceded, is a northern tributary of the Congo. The Shari district, a portion of which, it is stated, Germany is to receive, takes its name from the Shari river, which enters Lake Chad on the south, side, and forms part of the boundary between the Sultanate of Baghirmi and the Cameroon hinterland. In partial return for the concessions aforesaid. France, it is said, asks for a portion of the German territory north of the Cameroons. The Germans here hold about 191,000 square miles of country, a considerable portion of which is fertile. It is wanting in navigable rivers, a deficiency which will evidently be made good by the concessions which France offers.

BRITAIN'S PREPARATIONS. Received 16, 5.5 pan. London, September Id. Newspapers give some prominence to Lord Haldane's preparations for the suspension of officers' leave abroad, and the increased purchase of horses. GERMANY BUYING BRITISH COAL. : Received 17, 5.5 p.m. London, September 16. Tt is rumored in Cardiff that German agents purchased 30,000 tons of steam coal. SETTLEMENT STILL SUSPENDED. GERMAN RESERVISTS TO DISBAND. SPANISH TERRITORY MAY BE SECEDED. Received 18, P2.50 a.m. Berlin, September 17. Herr Kinderlin has informed M. Camion that he is unable to communicate Germany's views on the latest Moroccan proposal until Monday. The naval and military reservists will disband as usual after the manoeuvres. Paris, September 17. It is rumored that Germany is likely to received Spanish Guinea and the Island of Fernanddopa as the price of recognition of certain Spanish claims in Northern Morocco. KAISER'S VISIT TO TANGIER. CRITICISED BY SOCIALIST LEADER. Berlin. September 15.

Herr Bebel. at the Socialist Congress, criticised the Kaiser's visit to Tangier on the ground that it would encourage a belief among Mohammedans that they could count on the protection of Germany. Sfohammcdans would have the aame experience as the Boards had in the matter of the telegram sent by the Kaiser to President Kruger. 'THEN WE SHALL FIGHT." Sir. Alan Ostler, the. Daily Express correspondent in Morocco, who was expelled by the Sloors several weeks ago. wrote from Stogador to his paper on July 12 as follows: "I overheard to-day a conversation between a French Cnstomshousc official and a German trader which is admirably expressive of the attitudes of the different races. "Said the Frenchman: 'lt is not French opposition that you have to fear. my friend. For us. what do we care if Germany gets a finger in the pie? Nothing. It is nothing to us. But with England—do you think she will allow Germany to seize a port on the Atlantic.?*

"'Yes,' remarkcfl the Teuton stolidly. " 'But, my dear sir, it is absurd.' The Frenchman became wildly gesticulative. 'Consider now. The English have stopped your attempts everywhere—not because they fear the growth of your trade, but because they cannot afford, to let Tier-" manv have a seaport. Is it not so?' " 'Yes.' "'Well, then, they will not let you have Agadir.' "'We shall have Agadir.' "'Then you will be made to pay a heavv price.' " 'We will pav.' " 'But—but—it will mean war. You will have to fight—to fight both France and England, perhaps.' "The German smiled slightly and brushed his moustache upwards. He answered brief!v: " 'Then we shall fight.' "