"HEIGHT OF FOLLY."

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 112, 7 November 1908, Page 5

" HEIGHT OF FOLLY."

THE CASABLANCA AFFAIR. PEENOH OPINION. M. DELCASSE RECEIVES AN OVATION. By Telegraph.— Press Association.— Copyrlgut. (Received November 7, 8 a.m.) PARIS, 6th November. In connection with the Casablanca incident, M. Delcasse, ex -Minister for Foreign Affairs, received an ovation in the lobby of the French Chamber, even his bitterest opponents participating. Le Temps, a leading Parisian journal, says :—"lt: — "It would bo the height of folly for Prince Bulow to risk war in the present condition of European politics. We are convinced that he has too much sense- for that." The Journal dcs Debats declares that it would turn arbitration into a meaningless farce to demand an apology as being an indispensable preliminary to an enquiry into the facts of the case. MUTUAL REGRETS. , WHAT GERMANY MIGHT ACCEPT. LONDON, bth November. Renter's Berlin correspondent reports that there is reason to believe that Germany is willing to come to an arrangement on the basis of an exchange of mutual regrets regarding the Casablanca incident. > OPINION IN RUSSIAN CAPITAL. WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. A NATION SEEKING A DIVERSION ABROAD. ST. PETERSBURG, 6th November. Considerable alarm is displayed in St. Petersburg over Germany's demand for an apology before submitting the matter in dispute to arbitration. Fears are expressed that Germany is seeking a diversion abroard from the difficulties of the internal situation. THE FINANCIAL BAROMETER. STOCK EXCHANGE FLUCTUATIONS. WHY THIS CHEERFULNESS? LONDON, 6th November. The Lor/ffon Times says: — "The London Stock Exchange rallied when it was discovered that the, Paris and Berlin Bourses were cheerful, but showed a disposition to relapse to dullness later, when it was not apparent why the Cheerfulness abroad existed." ' FRENCH PREMIER'S REFUSAL TO APOLOGISE. HIS ACTION UPHELD BY ALL PARTIES. PARIS, 6th November. All political parties in France support the refusal of M. Clemenceau (Prime Minister) to apologise to Germany before the matter was submitted to arbitration, or to repudiate the act of the French officers in arresting the deserters, an act which, according to a report presented by the Fiench Commissary of Police at Casablanca, was fully justified. M. Pichon, Minister for Foreign Affairs, states that pourparlers continue, ivith a view of finding a formula acceptable to both Powers. CONSIDERABLE TENSION IN PARIS TOO TRIFLING AN INCIDENT TO' CAUSE WAR. LONDON, 6th November. Reuter's correspondent at Paris reports that, while considerable tension and some anxiety exists, members of the Chamber of Deputies refuse to believe that so trifling an incident could be magnified into a casus belli, excopt by deliberate malevolence. GERMAN NEWSPAPERS USE MENACING LANGUAGE. PLAINER SPEAKING MAY BE NECESSARY. A SEMI-OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. BERLIN, 6th November. The Cologne Gazette asserts that Germany only offered to refer the legal aspects of the affair to arbjtration on condition that France first expressed regret for infringing the prerogatives of the German Consul in forcibly arresting persons under his protection. Then Germany would be ready to express regret at the incorrect attitude taken up by the Consul in giving passes to persons who were not entitled to them. Several (German newspapers "use menacing language, and the Konigsberger Allgemine Zeitung states that ' ' negotiations have become so acute that they may soon lead to open conflict. If France refuses to accede to the German demands, plainer speaking will be used !" A semi-official communique issued in Berlin states that Germany must insist upon unconditional compliance with her demand for reparation for a physical attack upon her Consul, an offence which cairqot possibly remain unexpiated. Early in 1905 M. Delcasse, who had controlled France's foreign policy in successive Ministries for several years, concluded an agreement with Britain in regard to Egypt and Morocco. The Kaiser was understood to favour the establishment of German naval stations on the Moroccan west coast, and in March he paid a visit to Mediterranean ports in his yacht. Persistent attacks upon M. Delcaase in the German press followed, and as this criticism was echoed f '" in the French Chamber, the Minister resigned, considering that he no longer possessed the necessary authority to conduct the foreign affairs of his country. At the urgent request of his colleagues, however, he withdrew his resignation, but a few weeks later, alter a long interview with King Edward, ■who had also been on a yachting tour to Algiers, he once more resigned, and the Premier took his portfolio. Negotiations ensued, and eventually France agreed to submit the engagements she had entered into in regard to Morocco to' an international conference. It has been stated that the Kaiser, in 1905, threatened that German troops would move if M. Delcasse succeeded in negotiating an offensive and defensive alliance with Britain. Germany is proposing new taxation to the 'extent of "£23,600,000, and it is thought by some that, in the words of the Times, she is merely rattling the sabre against France in order to induce the Reichstag to vote favourably on the proposals. Kelburne Presbyterians will have the new church room for divine service aijd meetings in February next. Messrs. Harcourt and Co., estate agents, 195, Lamhton-quay, insert, in this issue their fresh weekly list of properties for sale. Special attention is drawn to the subdivision of Kelburne. Those desirous of securing land in this locality, close to tram, are advised by the firm to apply early. At a sitting of the Mount Cook police court this morning, Mr. John Coogan. J.P., presiding, three pqrsQOty Arrested for drunkenness, were convicted and