BRITAIN & GERMANY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1298, 29 November 1911, Page 7

BRITAIN & GERMANY.

SIR EDWARD GREY'S SPEECH. AIOROCCAN NEGOTIATIONS. ' STILL' IMPORTANT, SERIOUS, AND | DELICATE. ' ,\ CLEAR STATEMENT OK AFFAIRS. . Br Tcletrrapta—Press Association— CopyJi.tht (Rcc. November 28, 10.10 p.m.) 1 London, Xr.vemlxv 28. The House of Commons presented a striking spectacle when Sir Edward '' rev made his cagerly-anticipaied statement ou foreign affairs. The galleries were crowded with Peers, Ambassadors, Attaches, and a number of Eastern visitors and foreigners. The House was restless until Sir Edward Grey rose, then tho tensity was only broken by tho cheers which the speech evoked with its occasional illuminative and patriotic phrases. The greatest applause followed when ho justified Mr. Lloyd-George whole-hearted-ly. He spoko for one hour and twenty minutes with deliberation and great clearness, reading the more important passages. Diplomatic Customes. Sir Edward Grey declared that tho Moroccan negotiations were still important, serious, and delicate, and he intended to confino his speech to that subject. It was impossible for tho Government to postpone a full statement any longer, despito tho risk of disturbing a discussion which had not yet taken place between France and Germany. Herr von Kider-lin-Wachter's disclosures have been published, contrary lo diplomatic custom and without notifying Britain. Sir Edward Grey sr.id ho knew nothing until he road of it in the newspapers. ' Ho understood that the exigencies of (ho situation with Germany rendered it impossible for her to bo consulted. Herr von Kideriin-Wachtcr had already denied that France had insisted ou going to Fez in defiance of Germany. On July 1, wheu Count Metternicli (German Ambassador) came to the Foreign Office tho dispatch of tho Panther was explained on the ground that German firms requirat protection. It was explained abo that tho Panther would bo withdrawn when the position in Morocco had resumed a quiet aspect. This communication was accompanied by an explanation making it clear that Germany regarded a return to the status quo doubtful, if not impossible, and contemplated a definite solution of Morocco as between Germany, France, and Spain. Sir Edward Grey, realising that tho whole Moroccan question was being reopened, consulted Mr. Asquith and then invited Count Metternicli to ail interview on July 3 and informed him that tho situation was so important that it must be discussed by Cabinet. Accordingly, after a Cabinet meeting, ho desired Count Metternich to inform Germany. 110 saw Count Motternich on July 1 and said it was impossible for Britain not to be interested in Morocco. She must fake into consideration [ her treaty obligations with France. ! Britain's Silence.. Many days of silence followed, Count Mcttcrnich not being instructed to mako any comment on Cabinet's communication. Finally, information had been received by him leading him to apprehend that Germany contemplated a settlement including tho partition of Morocco after negotiations, to which it had not been, intended that Britain should bo a party. Though it was truo Britain was not interested herself in Morocco politically, ■yet by the Anglo-1-rench Agreement of 1901 Britain had expressly reserved tho possibility of a disturbance of tho economic and strategical conditions, 'consequent on the new settlement. Soon after Sir W. E. Gbschen's (British Ambassador in Berlin) interview oil July 12, tho German newspapers reported that 'Germany had made demands in the Fronch Congo to an extent to which it was obvious that neither, tho French Government nor the Chamber of Deputies would agree. Sir E. Grey therefore.air Count Motternich on July 21 and said Britain's silcnco must not he interpreted to mean that she was not interested in Morocco, ihe Government would bo glad if a settlement .could bo arranged on a basis of rectification of tho Congo frontier, but was anxious becauso it appearod that Germany s demand was not rectification of tho frontier, but tho cession of the Congo, which it was impossible) for Franco to concede. If tho negotiations wero unsuccessful a very embarrassing situation would arise. Ho pointed out to Count Mcttcrmch that it was rumoured that tho Germans were landing at Agadir and negotiating with tho natives, suggesting that they might be acquiring concessions. Ilio German flag might eveu havo been hoisted at tho port, which was the most suitable on tho coast for a naval base. Mr, Lloyd-George's Specch, fho longer the Panther remained at Agadir tho greater tho' risk of there developing a situation which would make it difficult to withdraw and render it necessary for Britain to tako steps lo protect British interests. Count Mettermch replied that ho was unablo to givo any information but was suro Germany no '. iutend to acquiro commercial monopolies. On tho same day Mr. Lloyd. Georges speech waa delivered, he, Mr. Asquith, and Sir E.- Grey, feeling that public .opinion would bo misled if the subject wore longer ignored. Mr. LloydGeorge claimed no pre-ominenco or prodominance for Britain in international affairs and made no menace such as saying, "Hands off" to anyone anywhere. Its purport was that where British interests were, affected we must, not bo treated'as of no account. "If tho time ever comos when this cannot bo said," added Sir Edward Grey, "we shall ceaiw to exist, at anjTate as a great Power." J (Great, chewing.) Unfortunately Mr. Lloyd-George's words wero soon forgotten and Count Metternich, on Julv 24, in- • formed Sir Edward Groy that not. a man ■ had been landed at Agadir and that Germany regretted that credence hid been given to insinuations from hostile qusi- - tera and that Germany never thought and , never would think of creating a oava l , port m Morocco. Such an idea was a hallucination. • over, tl,e demand was rather high • ° T ma do l'Tancc concessions m Morocco, in addition to colonial maters. He added that the Chauvinistic tone of tho French and British press, which were menacing to Gernunv, has hampered the settlomont. " 1 Britain's Dignity. Sir Edward Groy asked if he could com- ' municato tho statement to Parliament in view of Mr. Lloyd-Georgo's specch. Count ' Motternich then made a communication ' which contained Ilcrr von Kidcrlin- ' Wachter'9 speech cabled on Novombcr 22. ' Iho stiffness nt the communication caused Sir Edward Grey to say that tho surpriso created in Germany alono .secmod a sufficient justification for Mr. Llnvd- 1 George speaking. Sir lOrlward Grey added i that sinco it was incuifeistcnt with Gor- ( man dignity (o givo an explanation of the Agadir incident the tone of Germany's communication tmide it inconsistent willi ' British dignity to give a public explana- 1 lion ol' Mr. Lloyd-George.'s tpoccli. (Cheers.) He told Count Metternich that ]

>' whs nol intended to do or say anythins In embroil (lie negotiations lielwcrn Germany ami France, but il w».= evident: (here would he „ difficult situation if the negotiations tailed. Count, Metlernich. on July 27, made a. communication am! I rusted'that Sir lidwn.rd Grey had gathered the conviction from Germany's pourparlers with France that British interests had not been touched and asked .Sir Edward Grey to inform Parliament accordingly. But without giving details of the confidential communication ho added that, the territories eventually to bo exchanged would bo exclusively German and French. Therefore, if was advisable to leave tho matter k the two parties immediately concerned Germany seriously wished to diminish tho points of friction with I'ranco in the colonial sphere. A public statement o; Britain's desire for the successful con elusion of the pourparlers would help t< calm public opinion in Franco. Exceedingly Friendly, Sir Edward Grey continued that Ihi House would observo that tho tone of thii was exceedingly friendly and from tha dato onward no further difficulties arose He expressed his appreciation to Coun Metternich who replied regretting tha British opinion had been misled. Sir Edward Grey answered what els conld bo expected when ships were sud denly sent to tho most suitable port fo; a naval base; even tho denial of an; intention fo establish a naval base ha< not been published. However, he hopo< the present communication might ba takej as the new starting place. _ Sir Edward Grey added Hcrr von Kider lin-Wachter stated that Germany neve had any intention of taking the port If Britain had been told this at th first much misunderstanding would hav been avoided. The French Governmen consulted Britain at every point whero i was likely that British interests won affected. Captain Faber's Speech. Ho understood Captain Faber's speed had somewhat intensified the bitterness If so, he could only say that Captaii Faber was not an official. Thor were speeches made in German; equally open to objection. Pcopl seemed to take a delight in suggestini that this country was on tho verge o war. The world .seemed.to be sufforin; from a fit of political alcoholism. Per sonally he never believed that Gorman; would break off negotiations, but Ger uiany's statement was not agreeable t> calling a Moroccan Conference, as it sug gosted the possibility of a most delibei ate diplomatic situation. There was noi no prospect of war, and he hoped hi statement would act as a sedative. Regarding the general foreign policy he thought it wisest for Britain to ex pandfurtheT as little as possible, cspeci ally in Africa. Germany's strength wa a guarantee that no one would 6eek t quarrel with her, but German publi opinion ought to remember that th nation having tho biggest army, with : veTy big navy, and still building bigger must do all possible to prevent nationa apprehensions. Addressiug the Radicals, he declarci it would be disastrous if Britain pro claimed that under no circumstance would she give a friendly Power assist ance. That reversion to splendid jsola lion necessitated building battleship against tho united nations of Europe. Ho did not believe Germany had an l nggressivo designs. Herr von Kiderlin Wachter had spoken of a clean slate and Sir Edward Grey endorsed that sen timent. Ho hoped the part Britain hai taken m removing tho Moroccan troubl had contributed materially to the cxpec talion of peace Ho concluded amidst loud and pro longed chcors. , Mr. Bonar. Law, Leader ,of tho Opposition, declared that the .'Prime Ministe should have spoken in tho House o Commons instead of delegating the ta&l to Mr. Lloyd-George. An Anglo-Gennai war was inconceivable. He desired tha every causo of friction . with Germanshould bo removed. Britain di' not want moro tcrrilorv. ■sh had sufficient responsibilities alreadj GERMAN CRUISER WITHDRAWS. Berlin, November 27. The cruiser Berlin bas been with drawn from Agadir, where it reliove tho Panther and remained during th negotiations between France and Gei many concerning Moroccan matters