THE AGADIR INCIDENT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1294, 24 November 1911, Page 7

THE AGADIR INCIDENT.

FURTHER DETAILS, GERMANY'S VERSION. Bj TclctrrapU—l'rcis Association—Copyright Berlin, November 23. Further extracts from Hie confidential speech of l]vrr von Kidei'len-Wachter, Gerni.'in Foreign Minister, to (ho Budget Committee of the Reichstag, stato tha.l. ou the same (lay a.s Mr. Lloyd-Georgo mndo his spcecb al. the Lord. Mayor's banquet to Iho hankers il, was read in Berlin. Sir Edward Grey's subsequent snggCstioJi that ho bo given permission to announce in tho British Parliament Germany's declaration that she had no designs on Moroccan territory, was not complied with lest the consent should bo interpreted as being duo to Mr. Lloyd-Georgo's speech. Tho German Ambassador, on July 21, was instructed to point out that Mr, LloydGeorgo's speech furnished occasion for a largo part of tho British, and of tho entire Fronch press, to make violent attacks on Germany, and that Sir Edward Grey must percoivo that this effect of tho Ministor's speech had given rise to dissatisfaction in Germany to a high degree. Tho Ambassador was also asked to point out that Germany's straightforward, acceptable proposals related to regions not affocting British interests.

Then followed tho intimation mentioned by Horr von Bethmaiiu-Hollweg, German Chancellor, to the effect that tho British Govornment had caused tho Minister (Mr. Lloyd-George) to mako a declaration that had been interpreted as a warning to Germany, a warning bordering on a threat, and it' was now difficult to find grounds for that procedure. A friendly agreement between Germany and Franco could not be promoted thereby. Had Britain intended to complicate and confuse the situation and bring things to a violent outburst, 6ho could havo chosen no better means of doing so. Sir Edward Grey assured Germany that ho had no intention of making a territorial declaration in Parliament, hut romarked that tho thon aspect of tho case was by no means allaying the disquiet that existed. Ilerr von Kidciien-Wachter added that Sir Edward Grey had defended Mr LloydGeorge's speech as a modorlito one, and said Mr. Lloyd-Georgo was quite right in delivering it. Germany replied that tho Eugli.sh had presumed that Germany's demands in . tho colonial sphero would not bo acceptable, and this without having any knowledge of the political equivalent being offered to France by Germany, In the circumstances ho appealed to Britain to assist in assuaging the excitement prevailing in France. Thereafter tho negotiations made better progress.