BRITAIN AND GERMANY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 136, 30 November 1911, Page 5

BRITAIN AND GERMANY

SIR E. Git FY'S GREAT SPEECH. DISCUSSION IN TOE HOUSE. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. London. November 2S. The House of Commons discussed Sir Edward Grey's speech. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald (Labor) strongly disapproved of the continuation of the Lansdowne policy. He declared that Mr. Lloyd-George's speech was unfortunate. Sir Edward Grey's narrative was essentially a dramatic condemnation of secret diplomacy. He suggested an enquiry into the best means of keeping the House of Commons in tocit'h with foreign affairs. Mr. Dillon attacked the GovtrnmentV poliey in Persia. Mr. J. F. Mason denounced the Italian atrocities in Tripoli. Mr. Asquith said that diplomacy was necessarily secret. No country would carry on diplomacy with the cards on the table, the doors open, and the blinds up. It must negotiate under confidence, but the people need not necessarily be kept in darkness. There were no secret treaties now unpublished. Britain did not desire to stand in the way of any Power wishing to find a place under the sun. British friendships were neither exclusive nor jealous. He would be glad if they could be enlarged and include others. Sir Bdward Grey, replying to criticisms, said that the policy of Mr. Morgan Shuster, the American appointed to put Persian finances in order, in Anglicising the Persian Civil Service, was contrary to the spirit of the Anglo-

Russian agreement. The debate was adjourned sine die. Mr. Acland, in reply to a question, informed Mr. Dillon that there was no record of Mr. Chamberlain's project to partition Morocco, giving Germany a port on the Atlantic.

PRESS COMMENT. GENERALLY FAVORABLE. London, November 28. The newspapers generally applaud Sir Edward Grey's speech, and hope that better relations will be established now that the Morocco question has been removed. The Times says it is difficult to explain Herr von Kiderlen-Waechter's singular lapses of memory. The Daily News expresses disappointment at the chilliness of Sir Edward Grey's response to the Reichstag's appeal for better relations. Sir Edward Grey's speech created a good impression on the Stock Exchange. The Westminster Gazette and Pall Mall Gazette agreed that Sir Edward Grey, Messrs. Asquith and Bonar Law struck the right note, and the whole tendency of the debate was towards a better understanding. The Pall Mall Gazette specially eulogises Sir Edward Grey's firmness and candour.

The Star says that three capital errors were made in Morocco. The first was marching on Fez. the second the despatch of the Panther, the third Mr. Lloyd-George's speech, and the moral for the three nations is that they must control diplomacy with a firmer hand.

GREAT EXCITEMENT IW BERLIN. HE DIRECT TO GERMAN CHANCELLOR. PRESS OPINION DIVIDED. Berlin, November 28. There is extraordinary excitement in Berlin. The streets are crowded, and people are buying special issues of the papers, paying sixpence a copy. The report of Sir Edward Grey's speech is still incomplete. The first impression of the speech is that it gives Herr von Kiderlen-Waechter the lie direct. Admiral von Koester. on behalf of the Navy League, is urging the construction ol more cruisers, and pan-German newspapers are querulously commenting on Sir Edward Grey'* speech. •The Lokalanzeiger says that the speech is tranquil, and tallies with that of Herr von Kiderlen-Waechter. The National Zeitung says that Sir Edward Grey placed himself on a pedestal and lectured German diplomacy.

The Tageblatt blames Herr von Kiderlin-Waeehter for not having furnished Britain with a reasonable explanation between the Ist and 24th of July, and doing nothing to prevent a crisis. It accuses Britain of claiming the right to control the whole African coa«t, and adds: "We join with the whole public opinion of Germany in rejecting any universal British right of veto."

The VosMsche Zeitnng says that Sir Edward Grey's speech alters nothing.

The Vorwaerts nays that Sir Edward ''re\ s speech was thoroughly conciliatory, showing readiness to promote the improvement of Anglo German relation?.

FRANCE'S ATTITUDE. A CHORUS OF APPROVAL. Paris, Xovember 2S. Newspapers utter a chorus of approval of Sir Edward orev's firmness and moderation. which is calculated to reas-iire Europe help to maintain pence. They rejoice that the entente is more than a -hadowv exprc-.imi.

DISCUSSION" IX' THE LORDS. .STATEMENT I!Y LORD MORLEV. Received 20. 10.. r >o p.m. London. Xovember 20. Tn the House of Lords, Lord Courtney, in initiating a debate on Sir Edward Grey's statement, attacked the Govern mcnt% policy in Mnro<vo. Lord Morley said the essence of the KKW agreement was that Britain should have a free hand in the affairs of Egypt,

and France ditto in Morocco. It would be intolerable if Britain should take a share of the profits, and then refuse France hers. There was 110 reason why Germany's naval expansion should impair the desire for cordial friendship pervading the whole nation. It was natural Germany should desire to find territories for her surplus population. Lord Lansdowne stated that the 1904 agreement rendered a great international service. Sir Edward Grey's speech he described as one of the most remarkable a Foreign Secretary ever delivered. It echoed what he believed' was a general desire for better relations with Germany. THE AGREEMENT RATIFIED. BY FRENCH GOVERNMENT. Rceived 29, 10.30 p.m. Paris, November 29. The Committee of Foreign Affairs, by \. r > to 2, ratified the agreement with Germany. Eight abstained from voting.