THE CRITICAL PERIODS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1912, Page 3

THE CRITICAL PERIODS.

Perhaps it is pertinent to recall now (says The Times of 20th November) that information as to the international situation during the last few months ie leaking out here and there throughout Europe, that not so long ago the Berlin correspondent of The Timcb, when the first crisis arose, in July, predicted that it would be impossible to throw a veil over things which concern the whole world. All the world now knowe that an international crisis did arise towards the end of the third week in July j a few realise that the cause for anxiety recurred in. the week ended 19th August ; and the aftermath of preparations against any possible emergency in the future, which took place in September, is supposed by a good many people to have in. dicated a third situation of gravity. In the varying statement* which are being publicly made ac to the recent course of events incidents which occurred at three different periods aro being mixed up, and the addition of one partially known incident to another, with, it may be, a transposition of date, tends to create confusioni in the public mind. It may be pointed out that not only are some things already known, but some have been forgotten. Close upon the announcement of ' the German demands in Africa made at Berlin in the course of the conversations came the speech of Mr. Lloyd George at the Mani 6ian House on 21st July, indicating the attitude; of the British Government, and it then became matter of common knowledge that there was a European crisis. A quieter period supervened, but when the labour troubles in this country Became acute the Moroccan conversations again assumed a serious character. This is generally forgotten, yet, in view of the fact that the railway dispute in this country is not yet settled, and that our labour troubles may recur, it should be more generally understood. It may be recalled, therefore, that this was the course of events. Following on the dock strike, which gravely endangered London's food supply, came the ultimatum of the railwaymen on 10th August. In the afternoon of 17th August the railway men's executive, refused the Prime Minister's offer of a Eoyal Commission. That daf there was reported from Berlin "a certain renewal of uneasiness" as to the outcome of the Franco-German conversations, and the Berlin Corresp indent of The Times stated , that they had reached a critical stage. Later, in the evening, Mr. Lloyd George stated in the House of Commons that the railway men had misunderstood the Government's offer, and the railway negotiations were lesuined. This notwithstanding, on the following day practically the whole of our Regular troops were engaged in support of the Civil power. On that day, 18th August, it was announced that the Morocco negotiations wore suspended for a fortnight, and the Paris Correspondent of The Times stated that "the German Foreign Secretary has somewhat suddenly revived demands which were supposed to have been abandoned." The House of Commons adjourned on 18th August till the 22nd. In the interval, in view of the anxiety felt, without doubt certain defensive measures were taken, and what was done in this direction is at the bottom of at least one of the stories which are being told. The Government announced at 11 p.m. on the night of Saturday, 19th August, that the renewal of the railway negotiations had resulted in a settlement* of the national railway swike. A few days afterwards, on 23rd August, a more hopeful view was taken in well-informed circles of the Moroccan conversations. It will be seen that the crisis of August, in so iar as it can be called a crisis — tho position of gravity caused by the revival of difficulty in the Morocco negotiations — coincided with our railway strike, and ended with the settlement ot the railway strike. It is possible that the Government, in their anxiety for national interests, were ready to interpret the settlement between the railway companies and the men as of a more complete nature than perhaps it was, and if this was bo it would account for the subsequent denial by the men of their agreement to be bound in any case by the decision of tho Royal Commission. If this were the case few would bo found to blame, and many to honour, the Government for their inclination. After passing through two periods of gruvc anxiety, in July and August, it was natural in the ensuing month, September, to take any precautions which it would be desirable to have taken if further cause for anxiety arose. On 11th September, and thereabouts, it was reported that coal was despatched to the Navy, and certain military precautions were reported. With regard to this the following stuLenient was made in The Times of 15th September : — Various reports of a more or less startling character have been current at naval and military stations during the i>resenl week, which, however, upon investigation appear to have no substantial foundation. At the same time, there is reason to believe that both the naval and military authorities are fully alive to the exigencies of Ihe international situation, and aro neglecting no necessary precautions.