BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 193, 15 August 1902, Page 5

BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY.

SIR CHARLES DLLKE ACCUSES GOVERNMENT OF BLUNDERING.

REPLY BY LORD CRANBORNE.

LONDON, July 3

When the vote for the Foreign Office came up in the House of Commons to-day the Government's foreign policy came in for considerable criticism. Sir Charles Dilke -(Advanced Radical) said lie waited to .know if there had been any real negotiations with France looking- to the settlement of the French shore (Newfoundland) dispute, and he further declared that British recognition of French rignts to the hinterland of Tripoli endangered the traditional friendship of Great Britain and Italy. The new arrangements between France and Italy, he further asserted, had entirely upset the British situation in the Mediterranean and Eastern Europe. They had been made in order to put the screws on Great Britain. The feebleness of the Government's policy in China showed the absence of a presiding mind. Sir Charles also referred to the hostility to Russia involved in the Japanese alliance, and he advocated that a clear definition of the respective interests of Great Britain and Russia I could possibly be secured by some sort of an arrangement with, the Czar himself. Continuing, Sir Charles asked if there was any secret understanding with Germany regarding her access to the Persian Gulf, and urged 'the fostering of friendship . with France. He concluded with moving a reduction of the salary of the Foreign Secretary, Lord Lansdowne. Thomas Gibson Bowles (Conservative) defended the motion. He said he regretted the subserviency of the Foreign Office toward Germany, declaring she' was the disturbing influence in China, and that Emperor William's telegram to Kruger was largely responsible for the feeling that produced the Boer war. . ■ 'Henry Norman (Liberal) wanted to know if the Government realised that Germany had practically secured exclusive rights in the Shantung:pettinsxila, and that Russia had a complete monopoly of the enormously valuable mines of Mongolia. During the course of a general reply the Under-Secretary for the Foreign Office, Lord Cranborne, declared that the great question affecting Newfoundland was perpetually before the foreign offices of both countries. A settlement of the question was verydifficult because of a complexity of intorests over which the British Government had no control. Regarding- Russia, Lord Cranborne said it was not the fault of Great Britain that an understanding between them had not been reached. The question of relations between Great Britain and Italy was vei*y important, continued Lord Cranborne. Great Britain's international friendship was never very aggressive nor intended to be aggressive. Her friendship with Italy belonged to that class. It was based' on something stronger than treaties, namely, identity of interests and sympathies. There, had been a passing coldness on such subjects as Tripoli and Malta, but Great Britain had given Italy assurances on both and the soreness was healed. The agreement with. Japan, ; Lord Cranborne asserted, was founded on mutual interests. Therefore, it had a strong foundation. It was not for Greai Britain to offer treaties. She granted them, and was delighted to grant this treaty to Japan. Lord Cranborne further remarked that he did not think China was likely to be misled by the advances of various powers. She knew it was the true policy of Great Britain to maintain, the integrity of China and increase her resources. He was not the slightest afraid, therefore, of the small advantage which was thought to be gained by other powers. Lord Cranborne quoted the denial of the German Imperial Chancellor, Count yon. Bulow, that Germany had exclusive rights in Shantung, and claimed, therefore, tbat the door remained open. As to a Russian concession in the Peiho valley, the Government, said Lord Cranborne, was not in a position to say Russia was not entitled to a concession; but when it came to the question of the site and area thereof Great Britain had a great deal, to say, and said it with effect. Regarding the termination of the provisional government of Tien-tsin, Lord Cranborne said the terms had not been definitely ag-reed upon. The Government would be glad to see their modification, and there was very little doubt that they would be modified. As to the Chinese indemnity being a gold debt, the. Government, Lord Granborne declared, could not recede from its position, but sympathised with China, and some amelioration might be granted. It was hopeless to expect the total abolition of the likin stations in China, but it was confidently hoped to be able by a fiscal arrangement to relieve foreign trade of this enormous burden.