THE WAR CRISIS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1193, 31 July 1911, Page 7

THE WAR CRISIS.

SITUATION EASIER,

BRITISH FLEET HELD READY FOR ACTION. SMALL WAR RISK RATES. Br Telccrapb—Press Associallon-Oopyrlitil (ReJ. July 30, 5.5 p.m.) London, .Inly '-f. Thoro are indications in Urn nou^i"' h that the tension with regard to Morocco lias been sensibly relieved. The Gorman and Austrian newspapcis aro somewhat puzzled at tlio situation, and arc glad that there have boon rolercnces to tho Congo. They claim that Jr. Asquith lias rccogniscd Germany s right to compensation for tho lrcnch dc\cluprnents iu Jloricco.

OMINOUS ACTIVITY,

HOME FLEET COALING. WOOLWICH AT HIGH PRESSURE. L&don, July 28. The First Division of tho Homo Fleet has been ordered to coal and to ship a supply of oil fuel forthwith. The manufacture of lyddito and cordite at the Woolwich Arsenal is proceeding at high pressure. There is noticcablo activity in the production of small arms.

WAR RA~ r S SMALL,

HOW LLOYD'S REGARD THE RISK,

(Rec. July 31, 0.5 a.m.)

Melbourne, July 30. The Underwriters' Association has received a cable message stating that following on the war rates steamors Homewards, one-eighth per cent, incrcaso; outwards, one-sixteenth. Sailers.—Homewards and outwards, onequarter per cent, increase. . This is taken as an indication that Lloyd's do ncri regard tho situation seriously, as war risks are seldom computed in fractions.

FRENCH GENERALISSIMO. A NEW APPOINTMENT. (Rcc. July 31, 0.5 a.m.) Paris, July 30.' The reorganisation of tho War Office has resulted in tlio appointment of General Joffre as Generalissimo. MR. ASQUITH'S SPEECH. GERMAN VIEWS. Berlin, July 28. Mr. Asquith's declaration, in regard to Morocco is welcomed in official circles as ending the falso conception of Britain's attitude resulting from misconstruction of Mr. Lloyd-George's recent speech. Tho "Berliner Tageblatt" says Mr. Asquith has dispelled a misunderstanding which might have hindered successful negotiations.

The Radical papers refuse to be lulled, and complain l of absence of an assurance that peace will be preserved. WELCOMED IN PARIS. Paris, July 28. The French press welcomes Mr. ' Asquith's speech on the Moroccan question as hastening a solution of tho crisis. Britain is determined to end a dangerous situation. Although the French Government does not regard the position as disquieting, yet unobtrusive military preparations are going on.

RUMOURS IN SYDNEY. STOCK EXCHANGE AFFECTED. Sydney, July 29., Rumours are prevalent in Sydney that Great Britain has issued an ultimatum to Germany.' A firm of shippers declares that some English firms have decided to charge war rates immediately. The reports caused prices on the Stock Exchange to bccomo irregular. A GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. "POLITICAL CRUELTY." Brisbane, July 2D. Addressing a meeting of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, tho Governor, Sir William M'Grcgor, declared that Europeans practised political cruelty in making a large area of Africa subject to themselves.

The great nations, he added, were proceeding to put into force another political cruelty in respect lo the unfortunate inhabitants of Morocco. TRIPLE AND DUAL ALLIANCES, OBLIGATIONS OF THE POWERS. There are two great European Alliances, tho Triple Alliance, betwoen Germany, Austria-Hungary, and France, and tlio Dual Alliance of Franco and Russia, which was negotiated as a counterblast.. England has developed friendly relations with France and Russia, and has negotiated territorial understandings with both Powers. As stated in The Dominion on Saturday, it has been rumoured that a secrct military convention exists between Great Britain and France.

The Triple Alliance is a defensive alliance between Germany, Austria, and Italy, formed in 187!). The text of tho agreement between Germany and Austria was published in 1888. The text of the other two treaties—those between Austria and Italy, and Italy and Germany—is not known. Tho general drift was that if Franco attacked Germany or Italy, these two Powers should act in alliance against her. If Russia attacked Germany or Austria, both were to act against Russia. If Russia and France together attacked any ono of the three Powers, all tlireo wcro to combine against theso two countries.

The alliance was renewed in 1691 by the Government of tbo Marcbese di Rudini for a period of 12 years. That was its sccond renewal. It was renewed for the third timo in 1502, one year before its term of extinction, by the Zauardelli Government, of which Signor Prinotti was tho Minister for Foreign Affairs. The term of this renewal was for six or twelve years; that is to say, if tho treaty were not denounced in 1907, five years after its actnal renewal, it should be considered as holding good for tho full terra of twelve years. The treaty was not denounced' bv the Giolitti Ministry, with Signer Tittoni Minister for Foreign Affairs, and therefore is in force until 1914, tirclvo rears after its third renewal by J'rinetti'. Tho Dual Alliance between Franco and Russia was proclaimed on August 2G, 1897. on board the French shin Pothuau, whilst at Cronstndt with the President of the French Republic, M. Felix Faure, who was paying a visit to the Tsar, lioth the Tsar and the President snoke of France vmi llussia being "friendly and allied nations."