BRITAIN'S FIRMNESS

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 283, 28 November 1911, Page 5

BRITAIN'S FIRMNESS

IN MOROCCAN CRISIS. SIR E. GREY EXPLAINS. FILLING IN THE BLANKS. WAECHTER'S STORY. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 11.50 a.m.) LONDON, November 27. In the House of Commons to-day Sir Edward Grey (Minister for Foreign Affairs) moved his resolution, of which notice was given last week: "That the House dlo now consider Britain's foreign policy." Sir Edward said that Herr von Kider-len-Waechter's disclosures wero incomplete. The German notification of July 1 implied the reopening of the Moroccan question. On July 3 he told the German Ambassador, Count Wolff-Metternieh, that the Cabinet must discuss the situation. On July 4, after consulting Cabinet, he intimated that Britain must consider treaty obligations and her own interests in Morocco, lie was unable to recognise any arrangement come to without Britain. Then came a period of silence, wben certain information caused apprehension that Germany contemplated the partition of Morocco. The German Government told Sir William Goschen (British Ambassador) on July 12 that it did not intend to arrange a settlement with France and Spain. The newspapers then reported the demands concerning the French Congo, and Sir Edward Grey on July 21 intimated that if the negotiations to rectify the Congo boundaries were unsuccessful embarrassment would arise. The Ambassador replied that he had no information. Mr. Lloyd George then spoke, after consulting the Premier and himself. The Ambassador madle an exceedingly >tiff communication, "and," continued Sir Edward. "I replied that the speech could not have created surprise in Germany unless there was some tendency to think we might be disregarded." (Cheers.) CANNOT FORCE THE PACE OF IMPROVED RELATIONS. (Received 1.15 p.m.) LONDON. November 27. Sir Edward Grey said that the German Ambassador subsequently made further assurances. Sir Edward added that England's relations with France and Russia did not encourage provocation against Germany. The cardinal point of British policy was that Britain could not sacrifice friendship with other countries, and could not force the pace of improved relations with Germany, but England would respond to the tone and spirit of the Chancellor's recent speech. BRITAIN'S FOREIGN POLICY. NEW CHAPTER WANTED. SYSTEM OF CONTROL. LONDON, November 27. The newspapers in Britain, France, and Germany show intense interest in the promised statement by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Sir Edward Grey, on the foreign policy of Great Britain. There are. many indications of British Radical unrest, at the result of British foreign policy. The "Morning Leader" declares that the Anglo-French entente has led to an immense revival in France of the revenge idea against Germany, and has embittered the relations of Britain and Germany. The paper states that unless Sir Edward Grey can help to open a new chapter in British foreign policy, the Radicals and the Labour members must make a stand on behalf of peace. The "Daily News" maintains that Britain allowed the piratical invasion of Tripoli by Italy, permitted France to tear up the Algeciras Agreement, and allowed Russia to over-run Persia. Parliament must recover the control of the Foreign Office from the possession of a small caste of bureaucrats. A Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons must be appointed. It would, the "Daily News" adds, be a happy augury if Mr. Jas. Bryco (the British" Ambassador at Washington and the negotiator of the Anglo-American Arbitration Treaty, not yet ratified by the Senate) were transferred to Berlin. GERMAN CRUISER WITHDRAWN. (Received 11.20 a.m.) BERLIN", November 27. The German cruiser Berlin has been withdrawn from Agadir.