IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 12 July 1912, Page 5

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

BRITAIN'S FOREIGN POLICY

FRIENDSHIP WITH RUSSIA AND

FRANCE

ST GABLE—PSESS SRPnOMTTON—TOPYBTOHI LONDON, July 11. In the House of Commons, discussing the Foreign Office vote, Sir E. Grey, referring to the Mediterranean fleet, pointed out the difficulty of keeping a sufficient margin of strength in home waters. A sound foreign policy would alone protect the United Kingdom. Otherwise she must fall into a position of inferiority. The Japanese Alliance had been a great factor in the preservation of peace, and had prevented disturbances in China resulting in international complications. It was unnecessary to keep a force in the Mediterranean which would be able to cope with other Powers, though there was no prospect of a quarrel in the Mediterranean. "If we abandoned it altogether," he said, "the diplomatic situation might be strained. Therefore, we ought to keep a sufficient force to enable" us to be counted as a Power there." In view of the coming debates, he would not say more on the subject. The foreign policy .remained unchanged, and the starting point of any new development was the maintenance of friendship with Russia and France. He welcomed the meeting of the Kaiser and the Czar, and was pleased that our relations with Germany were excellent. Germany and Britain were perfectly frank with"each other on all questions of mutual interest. When questions relating to the interests of Africa or the Baghdad railway came up for discussion, both were easily reconcilable. The Government did not contemplate any measures for restoring order in Southern Persia, except by the encouragement of officers who are now organising a gendarmerie. Mr Bonar Law considered that the Mediterranean fleet was strong enough to overcome any probable combination essential to the existence of the Empire. He did not desire anything but the best understanding with ' Germany. It was inconceivable that there could be war with Germany without involving the whole of Europe. Germany's trade 'interests were against war; biit nevertheless it was the duty of the Government to ensure that possible war should be prepared against.