BRITAIN AND GERMANY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 125, 17 November 1911, Page 5

BRITAIN AND GERMANY

KEEPING THE SLATE CLEAN. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London, November 15. Mr. George Lambert, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, in a speech at Diss, Norfolk, remarked that it was the duty of whatever party was in power to maintain an adequate navy for the protection of the nation's commercial interests. Referring to the German Chancellor's clean slate speech in the Reichstag, he said he hoped they would write on the slate indelibly the words "peace and friendship." It was not desirable that the two countries should jeopardise their mutual trade by further rivalry in armaments so as to impoverish the workers of both countries. ON THE VERGE OF WAE. IN SEPTEMBER. London, November 15. Extraordinary statements were made during a debate at the New Reform Club, Messrs. Ponsonby and Byles, M's.P., and others indicating that Britain was on the verge of war with Germany in September.

FURTHER LIGHT WANTED. FOREIGN MINISTER TO MAKE A STATEMENT. DEMOCRATISING THE FOREIGN OFFICE. Received 16. 0.30 p.m. London, November 16. Tn the House of Commons Mr. C. Goldman equired for further light on Herr von Hollweg's statement regarding Mr. Lloyd-George's speech and its sequel. Mr. Asquith replied that the question covered many matters of gravity and delicacy. Sir Edward Grey would make a full statement in the course of the debate next week. The Star emphasises Sir A. Ponsonby's statement, and argues that Lord Selbonrne was quite right in asking for definite information. He declares that the Foreign Office should be compelled to lay all the cards on the table, and supports Mr. Noel Buxton's and Mr. F. W. Jowett's proposal for the establishment of a Foreign Affairs Committee. The paper contends that the permanent officials who run the Foreign Office largely run Sir Edward Grey, and adds that the Foreign Office bureaucracy is anti-German, pro-Russian, and antiNationalist, also opposing a PersianTurkish renascence. Unless Sir Edward (."rev is prepared to democratise the Foreign Office the country must find somebooV else who can.

STALE NEWS.

Received 16, 10.25 p.m,

Vancouver. November 16.

The steamer Marama brings a report that the Herman cruiser Cormorant, at Suva, asked permission to send important cables to Germany. The captain of the BritMi cruiser Prometheus refused, giving the Oriii.an warship brief time to leave the harbor. The Matter left.