POSSIBILITIES OF GREAT WAR

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 138, 6 December 1911, Page 5

POSSIBILITIES OF GREAT WAR

THE NEED FOR PREPAREDNESS. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Received 3, 10 p.m. London, December 5. Colonel W. H. Walker. M.P. for Lancashire, in opening the headquarters of the King's Liverpool Regiment, emphasise I the need of preparedness. He did not wish to frighten anybody, but a period was approaching when there were possibilities of a great war. He added that the Commoners in the back .benches were aware that during the last three months preparations for war were actually in force, and 150.000 British tronn= were under orders to go and assist in the protection of the French and Belgian frontiers, against tlio Germans. That position, he said, might occur at any time during the next eighteen months. DISQUIETING ENQUIRIES. HEAVY INSURANCE RATES AGAINST WAR. Received 5, 11.30 p.m. London, December 5. There are disquieting enquiries in London for insurance rates to cover the risk of war between Britain and Germany. The enquiries emanated from Germany. Seven per cent, is quoted for the halfyear, 10 per cent, for the year, and slightly higher rates against the risk of outbreak of war between Germany and another great European Power. Important firms in Germany have reported that the situation has not improved since Sir Edward Grey's speech in London. These houses attribute the feeling prevalent in certain parts of Germany possibly to incorrect newspaper translations oif English political speeches. Insurance rates for cargoes to and from Turkey are hardening.