"WILHELM, THE PEACEMAKER."

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 895, 15 August 1910, Page 8

"WILHELM, THE PEACEMAKER."

WHAT EX-AMBASSADOR SAYS. , ' ANGLO-GERMAN FRIENDSHIP.. The' three/bodies that have been working towards' a better' understanding between Great Britain and' Germany have decided to co-operate more closely. About six weeks ago members, of these bodies, the Anglo-German Friendship Committee, the Women's Anglo-German Friendship Committee, and the Albert Committee, met in Piccadilly, 'and elected .a joint committee. The German. Embassy was represented, and the meeting was a great success. ■-■'■; : ' Lord Avebury, who presided, said he felt with ,regret that if Germany increased her fleet other nations would have to follow. But ho was sure there would bo peace between Britain and Germany. For threo reasons: He had confidence in tho German Emperor. He had confidence in the two peoples; they had so- much in common; we wcro their best customers, and, next to India, they wero ours. And,'in the third place, both peoples were sensible and sober, and would not go to war unless compelled. Lord Lamington said that the misunderstanding between the two countries had boon caused by suspicions and jealousies which wero uncalled for, nnd were dying out. They must have moro confidence in Germany, and also in thomselves. It would bo a great crime if . the two branches' of the Anglo-Saxon race could not exist side by side. But the best way to avoid war was to be prepared for war. "Sir Frank Lascelles (formerly Ambassador at Berlin) also said he did not believo Germany wanted war. It was a curious thing that there were also a larger number of • Germans convinced that England wanted war. "I cnn.nssiiro you from my own personal knowledge," said he, "that international peace has no better friend in Europe than the Emperor William."

Lord Weardole urged that if Ihey wanted peace they should prepare for peace, not war. When any statement appeared in the press which was likely to inflame public opinion against eithoY nation, it should be nailed to tho counter'at oncq. They should work, for the immunity of private property ut sea and compulsory arbitration.,

Lord Brassey spoke of the bond of sport, and of tho admiration for Germany's sharo in tho world's civilisation and industrial cfticioney.