The European Cloud

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 130, 23 November 1911, Page 5

The European Cloud

THE PANTHER INCIDENT. MUTUAL EXPLANATION. sir k. grey on rnE situation. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 22. 12.43 a.m. Berlin. November 22. An official extract from Herr von Kiderlen-Wachtcr's confidential speech to the Budget Committee has been published, which declares that a telegram on June 13 instructed the Ambassador to inform the Algceiras signatories of the despatch of the Panther, and the reason for the step. The Am'bassador in London was additionally instructed to declare the Act of Algeciras had become illusory, and that it was necessary to protect Herman lives and property until order was restored.

An appeal had been made by a number of well-known firms to protect lives, as it was doubtful if France was able to revert to the status quo of 1906. Germany was eventually prepared to seek ■with France a solution in accordance with the signatories. Britain was therefore informed of her intentions before the Panther went to Agadir, because the above communication wis made on July 1, and Britain did not enquire in reference to it until July 21. At Sir E. Grey's instance an interview ■between "him and the Ambassador occurred. Sir E. Grey's opinion on Germany's action, despite the Ambassador's explanations as to when the Panther was despatched was again manifested at this interview. Sir E. Grey's opinion was the result of the charges which the French and British press, and indeed «ome officials had constantly urged against Germany's policy.

Herr von Kiderlin Wacht"- remarks that Sir E. drey sought to discuss Morocco unofficially, and had at the outset emphasised that in view of Britain's great economic interests Britain must participate in any settlement of the Moroccan question. Sir E. Grey nrrw declares he has been waiting, hoping for an agreement between France and Germany, and that it was obvious that France was unable to accept the German demands. He feared the negotiations would be remltless. and the question would again come to the front.

What, he asked, was Germany doing in the closed harbor at Agadir, and the ninterland. He knew nothing of what was occurring, and added that Agadir was suited for the construction of a war port. Nobody knew Germany's intentions at Agadir. He must expect questions in Parliament if the present negotiations failed and the Agadir question, which involved British interests, would immediately arne.

Sir E. Grey believed that now was the time for Britain to participate in the negotiations, from which he held aloof while there was reason to hope for an agreement outside Morocco, inasmuch as Britain would not be affected if France and Germany, as at first suggested, sought an agreement by regulation of the Cameroon-* frontier.

The Ambassador replied he was not informed of the -details of the negotiations, and was unable to admit that the German demands were obviously unsceeptable, adding in that case they had r.ot been proposed.

The suggestion that Britain join in the negotiations was apparently based on the suggestion that Germany might hnild a naval station at Agadir. These ■were suppositions whereof he knew nothing. He referred to Britain's compensation in Egypt, and declared if France desired a predominant position in Morocco she must offer to Germany an equivalent elsewhere.

Sir E. Grey replied that it was unwise to oppose German expansion in the heart of Africa, but in the event of failure to reach an agreement with France the situation would become less ncnte is discussed before further incidents arose in regard to Agadir. The foregoing conversation showed that Sir E. Grev assumed that Germany meant to stay j n Morocco.

The Amha—ador's report reached Berlin on the 22nd. and he was immediately instructed to assure Sir E. Grey it was not intended to establish a naval port in Morocco. Germany would never think of such a thing. It was an hallucination, and Germany had no designs on Moroccan territory. Negotiations wer<» begun and the strictest secrecy guaranteed. Germany took her obligations seriously, and had not even informed her allies. France supplied the press, also her friends, with incomplete information, calculated to cast suspicion on Germany. The latter, therefore, censed negotiation* until secrecy had Iv-,.,, guaranteed. Jt negotiations had failed. -h<> intended to insist on the r-veiitioii ~f (],,, y irr( ,_ cir.is arrangement to the letter and spirit.