BRITAIN AND GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1363, 14 February 1912, Page 5

BRITAIN AND GERMANY

" CLAWS IN YELVET GLOVES."

LORD HALDANE'S VISIT TO BERLIN. NEWSPAPER DISCUSSION. Ily TvlcKrnph-l'roßs Aseociation-Copyriulil Berlin, February 12. The discussion mi Mr. Winston Churchill's speei-h and Lord Uahlane's visit to llerlin continues. The "Netiesto Nachrichton" says: "Germany is grateful for Mr. Churchill's candour at a moment when his collengno was among us with his claws in velvet gloves." The Conservative paper " KrpUK Zeituiig" states: "No one in Germany now has doubts as to what the liritish Government means by an 'understanding with Germany.' it means the hitter's official recognition of the British claims to bo tho arbiter of the world."

Tho Liberal paper, the "Lofcal Anzeigcr," says that Lord Ualdano doubtless came to Berlin in full agreement with his colleagues, and with the firm intention to achieve something in the shapo of a dotente. There certainly had been no

question of tho mutual limitation of military and naval armaments. 'I'lio "Lokal Anzoiger" agrees that England needs a superior licet. "Mr. Churchill's declaration," the paper Bays, "that tho German fleet was a luxury, discloses a regrettable ignorance of German requirements." Tho "Cologne Gazette" states that doubtless Lord Haldane's impressions wero made after Mr. Churchill's conceptions. Tho "Vorwaerts," the principal Socialist paper, declares that Mr. Churchill's speech was a plain answer to tho forthcoming naval increase. Paris, February 12. Tho "Echo de Paris" in an article states that it is afraid the English Radicals may again let themselves be tricked by tho mirage of disarmament. AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. NOT A PRIVATE VISIT. (Rec. February 13, 10.15 p.m.) London, February 13. Lord Haldane, Secretary of State for War, conferred with Mr. Asquith, Mr. Harcourt, Mr. Churchill, and Mr. LloydGeorgo before leaving for Berlin, and afterwards met the Cabinet. It is. officially admitted in London that the description of Lord Haldane's visit as private is misleading, though he is not in a position to commit tho Government. Mr. Asquith requested him to go to Berlin to discus* certain matters should an opportunity occur. DEMOCRACY AND GOOD FEELING. SPEECH BY SIR E. SIMON. (Rec. February 11, 0.10 a.m.) London, February 13. Sir John Simon, Solicitor-General, in a speech at Walthamstow, said that whilo the democracy rejoiced at the good understanding with France, they wero not prepared to tolerate the idea that it involved unfriendly feelings with Germany. If tho democracy was determined to get its view carried out, there would be good feeling between Britain and Germany.