GERMANY AND MOROCCO.

Evening Star, Issue 14631, 29 July 1911, Page 5

GERMANY AND MOROCCO.

MR ASQUITH’S STATEMENT. A DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. Frets Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 28. In the House of Commons Mr Asquith said that the situation in Morocco had reached a .point at which it became difficult and harassing. Unless a solution were found, a too close analysis of the causes of the present incident might provoke recrimination. Ho appealed earnestly to the House not to enter into further details at present, for the question of Morocco bristled with difficulties. But Great Britain did not think of interfering with territorial arrangements which, were considered reasonable by those directly interested. Any statement that Groat Britain had prejudiced the negotiations between Prance and Germany was a mischievous invention. It was a gravo mistake to let the situation drift until the assertion of their interests would cans© surprise and resentment. The Government thought it right in the beginning to make it dear that, failing a settlement, they must become an active party in the discussion; it might bo under the British obligation under the French Agreement of 1904, or ft might bo their duty in defence of those British interests which were directly affected. He hoped that his own statement in the House three weeks ago, and that of Mr Lloyd George at the Mansion House, and made it perfectly clear that Great Britain claimed no predominant or pro-eminent position, but claimed the position of a party interested in seeing a solution of the present difficulties. MR BALFOUR’S PLAIN STATEMENT. "LONDON, July 28. Mr Balfour, who had previously been in consultation with Sir E. Grey, emphasised the non-party attitude of the Unionists in relation to the Morocco crisis. He said that any critics who counted upon British absorption in homo disputes making it easy to wipe them out of the map of Europe because they had difficulties at home utterly mistook the temper of the British people and the patriotism of the Opposition. LABOR’S USUAL CLAIMS. “WE STAND FOR PEACE.’ LONDON, July 28. The chairman of the Labor party, Mr Ramsay Macdonald, declared that the organised forces of Labor in all countries would stand for peace in fan - or foul weather. He was sorry that Mr Lloyd George bad made his Mansion speech—(Opposition cries of “No!”) —because such a statement should be made through private channels. Ho did not agree that private negotiations wherein the public were absolutely powerless should influence the direction of the negotiations. The Labor party would cooperate with Laborites in Germany and France to the last moment in the interests of peace. “If the path of peace is to be wrecked at the present moment, we shall stand by peace after it has been wrecked.” PROVOCATIVE BLUSTER. BERLIN, July 28. An inspired but bellicose communique published in the ‘ Lokal Anzciger ’ declares that Germany is indisposed to tolerate wanton and frivolous Interference. It issues a warning- to impertinent dis turbers of the peace, and the phrase “ Hands off ”is quoted. The paper recalls Gladstone's warning to Austria regarding the occupation of Bosnia in 1878. FRANCE PLEASED. . ENDING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. PARIS, July 28. (Received July 29, at 9-35 a.m.) The Press welcome Mr Asquith’s statement, as hastening the solution of a crisis. Great Britain apparently is determined to end a dangerous situation. Though the French Government did not regard the position as disquieting, yet unobtrusive military preparations are going on. BERLIN, July 28. Mr Asquith’s statement is welcomed in official circles as ending any false conception of Great Britain’s attitude, and the resulting misconstruction placed on Nlr Llovd George’s speech. The •Berliner Tageblatt’ says that Mr Asquith has dispelled the misunderstandings which might have hindered successful negotiations. The Radical papers, however, refuse to be lulled, and complain of the absence of assurances. FLEET ORDERED TO COAL. WOOLWICH ARSENAL BUSY. "LONDON, July 28. (Received July 29, at 9.35 a.m.) The first division of the Homo fleet has been ordered to coal and to ship a supply of oil fuel forthwith. The manufacture of lyddite and cordite at Woolwich ri proceeding at high pressure, and there is a noticeable activity in the production of small arms. WILD RUMORS IN SYDNEY. "SYDNEY, July 29. (Received July 29, at 10-10 a»m.) Rumors wore prevalent in Sydney that Great Britain had issued an ultimatum to Germany, and one firm of shippers declared that some of the English firms had decided to charge war rates immediately. The reports caused prices on tho Stock Exchange to become irregular.