WORLD POLITICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 270, 11 November 1908, Page 5

WORLD POLITICS.

THE ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN. OUTLINED BY THE PREMIER. BALKAN WAB CLOUD. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

LONDON. November 10. The King's Birthday was celebrated yesterday throughout the British Empire. In London the Lord Mayor's show was the principal sight, the chief feature being Mr. Louis Parker'- pageant of literature—the Canterbury pilgrims, 'Spenser's knight*. Shakespeare's sprites and heroes, and later literary association with Fleetstreet, (ilorious weather prevailed, and immense crowds witnessed the spectacle. The gathering at the (iuildhall banquet, which followed, included the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Hart (lat-e Chief of Customs in China), numerous judges, diplomats, and other distinguished persons. The new Lord Mayer, Sir George Truseott, read a message expressing King Kdward's cordial thanks for the numerous birthday congratulations that had been received. Mr. MiKenna ( First Lord of the Admiralty), responding to the toast of -nip Navy." said that we had to-day supremacy of the seas, and this the Government meant to preserve. INTERNATIONAL SITUATION. Mr. AsquJtli, responding to the loast lof "The Ministry,'' referred at the outset, Ito the present trade depression. He was sanguine enough, provided cn<' pe;«-e of the world was maintained, to believe that the set-back to industrial activity would not. he of long duration. He spoke, of the measures that had hern taken to cope with the problem of unemployment.

Alluding next to the Balkan question, he emphasised Britain's clear altitude. No alteration of the Treaty of Berlin was permissible without, tin: consent of the other parties, especially of Tinker. There was never any foundation fur the suspicion thai the (lovernine.nl. had proposed, deprecated, or discouraged direct negotiations between Turkey and Austria, or Turkey and Bulgaria,

"VVp have,"' hr continued, "no preference for any particular method of se.ttlcment, and wish to •Iμ our utmost, to promote a jpnerai agreement, .md restore things to a normal and recognised condition." Mr. Asquith uttered a note of warning regarding the high feel inn running in some pa-rts of the Balkan?, and rPvertitlg to the harmony of the view- of Britain and Russia, affirmed that (here was no wish to see Europe divided and separated into groups. Diplomatic victories, might be too dearly bought. BRITAIN AND GERMANY. Referring to the Kaiser's emphatic and impressive declaration at the (iuildtaall, on the occasion of his recent visit to this country, (hat the governing purpo.se of liis policy was the maintenance of the peace of Knrope. ami good relations between Britain a rui (fermany, .Mr. Asquitli re-ruarkr-d, "'lt is. in that spirit we desire to deal with the other I'owers. with Germany not less than the others.' , "'That spirit." Mr. Asijuilh went on to say. "will piitile In actual or prospective negotiation- relating to the present difficulties '" l--urop<iin politi.-s and if. as we trust and believe, other I'owors eheri.sh the same desire and intention, then the clouds momentarily darkening the sky will disperse without a storm, and peace will be assured, and friendship maintained unimpaired.' , THE HAND OF FRIENDSHIP. After remarking that, nothing wotild induce Britain to fall short of. any special engagements undertaken, or to be unfaithful to tbe spirit of any existing friendship, he added. "It is equally true that we must not bo reluctant to grasp any hand that is extended to us in goodwill and fwirxl faith." Comraenthifr on the navy, Mr. Asquith remarked : "People of (ireuit iJritaJn hold with nreshaken unanimity that the maintenance, unquestioned and unquestionable, of our command of the seas is the best safeguard of our national existence and the peaceful intercourse of mankind."