BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 December 1911, Page 5

BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

SPEECH IN THE REICHSTAG.

TUETONIC INTENTIONS.

[PBB PEBSS ABBOOIATIOB —UOFTRIBHT.J

Received this dav at 8.5 a.m. BERLIN, December 5

Count Hollweg defended secret discussions as a method of ensuring success in international negotiations. It is noticeable that Count Hollweg was silent regarding the British obligations of honour towards France.

The Count contended that the AngloFrench treaty of 1904 was " an initial error leading the Germans to Algeciras and finally to Agadir in defence of their (conomic interests with a determination not to be pushed aside if the nlti-' mate consequence was a supposed or real readiness for war on the part of Britain, or a state of political alcoholism in the world. He maintained that (lermany was not responsible. He added that if friendship was destined to be inscribed upon a clean slate that had been spoen of between Britain and (iermany, it must not be scratched in the hard pencil of mistrust. He appealed to the Germans to show neither depression nor chauvinistic pride, but a clear vision, quiet resolve and unhroken unity on great national questions.

Herr Bebel declared that the despatch of the warship Panther to Agadir was a menace and warning to France He added that, Britain was justified in the action she took.

The spokesmen of the- other parties advocated a prudent but firm, policy. The closure on the debate was agreed to. ' The resolution of the Centre, party providing that alterations in respect of colonial territory could only occur through a decree of the Reichstag was unanimously adopted. The Reichstag has closed . LONDON, December 6. Sir E. Grey, speaking at Plymouth, said that if the Moroccan depression was passing, the diplomatic barometer should begin to rise. It was undesirable to tan it every five minutes. It was better "to have a few weeks diplomatic repose. Mr Snowden M.P., writing in the Christian Commonwealth, says that a better understanding with .Germany is impossible while Sir Edward Grey remains at the head of the Foreign Office. An unfounded suspicion fills Sir Edward Grey's mind and'influences all his actions. A few English newspapers comment on Count Hollweg's reply to Sir Edward Grey. A general desire is expressed to close the incident.