GERMAN BLUNDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 162, 8 January 1912, Page 2

GERMAN BLUNDERS.

A MENACE TO THE WORLD. "WAR WITH ENGLAND INEVIT- ' ABLE." BERLIN JOURNALIST'S STRAIGHT TALK. Berlin, Dec. C. According to Herr Max Harden, editor of the Xvikarit, in an exclusive interview published in the United Press, the Anglo-German war was a real danger a little, while ago. ' "German diplomatic moves during the last five years were a series of colossal blunders," said Herr Harden "and Morocco was the crowning one of them all." "The Moroccan affair has intensified the Anglo-German bitterness. Germans feel that Great Britain prevented the success of tiie negotiation's with France, Could German diplomats think that Britain would permit Germany to get afoothold on the West Coast of Africa, and that Morocco was necessary to German national life? That was the crowning blunder of a series each of which was worse than its predecessor. "Germany's international position today is worse than it has been for years, and this is due to the incapacity of the men who are at the head of the Government. They are unskilled, and lack foresight. The Reichstag is merely an ornament, which makes the people pay for errors they do not commit, and bear the result of the blunders of the men they do not select. "German diplomacy goes on the nlan that the other man is always stup'id. "War with Great Britain is unavoidable, even inevitable, unless there is a complete face-about in the methods and politics of the men who are directing German foreign policy. War could, be averted, but it will not be. The feeling is that a conflict will come. I have it from many high sources. "Britain wanted war late last summer, considering that the opportunity was' favorable. Why the entente of the powers was* held back is not generally known. I speak openly. Little diplomats only believe in secrecy. They are waiting until Russia is capable of striking. Then there will be a sudden change in European politiw. ■'■ \> "Personally, I don't believed a conflict is either necessary- or desirable. I favor an understanding with Britain. The first step should be an agreement on the naval question. The present insane rivalry causes only bitterness. We say we build warships only to protect our commerce. Does that deceive Great Britain? Will she stop building? "The Kaiser has two ideas. First, that in the event of war with Britain millions of the Mahommedans, whose protector he has proclaimed himself, would support him. Second, that the United States would help Germany. "The Moroccan agreement and Italy's i occupation of Tripoli are Britain's an' swer to the first. The second is too absurd to be conceivable. "Briefly, the situation is due to the fact that Germany is under personal Government. Analyse it, and you will find that it consists of a few men leading up to one man. I favor a parliamentary* government similar to that of Great Britain, where a Ministry retires when the people lose confidence in it.'! ■. EIGHTEEN MILLIONS. GERMAN NAVAL EXPENDITURE. , REPLY TO SIR EDWARD GREY. , Berlin, December' 6. The Berlin News Agency, which is usually well informed, states that an increase in the German riavy has been decided upon. The Government is determined to, spend £18,000,000 on the improvement of the fleet. The officials maintain silence on the subject. The Chancellor, Dr Von Bethmann Hollweg, and the Minister of foreign affairs, Herr Von Kiderlin-Waechter, will rtply to Sir Edward Grey on Monday.