ANGLO-GERMAN RELATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 805, 30 April 1910, Page 6

ANGLO-GERMAN RELATIONS.

GEBMAN CHANCEEDOB'S ASSttRANCES.

In itimrnagrng the German Naval Programme in the Eeddhstag, Br. Von Betb-mann-HoUtreg, Imperial Chancellor, made a statement regarding Anglo-German relations. "Oar relations with Great .Britain." ho said, "are clear and. open to tho view of all That we are birwJrng a fleet, not .for aggressive purposes, but solely because we are convinced of the need of an effective eea power for the protection of our coasts and commerce, has so often been insisted upon, not only by tie Treasury Bench, but afeo by private members, that I do hot want to repeat what has already been established. However, by the terms of our Navy Law, the whole world knows to what extent and in what spaco of time we are going to build ships. Nothing is done in secret 'or in a fashion that might be hostile to another Power or threaten such Powers, or could give rise even to suspicion of 6uch hostility ot menace. (Hear, hoar.) And, finally, jnst as manifest is our "desire frankly and sincerely to cultivate friendly relations with Great. Britain. (Hear, hear.) Our foreign policy not only in regard, to Great Britain, but in regard to all Powers, is directed eolely to free expansion of the economic and social forces of Germany. This course has not been artificially chosen, bnt evolves itself spontaneously from the existence of tfheEO forces. I see iso reason this should disturb our ' friendly relations with a country 60 closely connected with us commercially and socially as Great Britain is. (Hear,'hear.) No Power an earth can eliminate or suppress free competition of other nations. It is incumbent _ upon us all to behave in this competition in conformity with the principles of ,aa honest merchant. I am convinced thai on this basis the trustful relations we now maintain with the British Government will go on derrolopiog favourably, and will influence tho feelings of tho two' peoples in a similar sense.