INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

Mataura Ensign, 16 December 1911, Page 6

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

FRANCO-GERMAN AGREEMENT. BI BtKCTBIO" TELEGBAPH.—COPYRIGHT. FEE UNITED PBESS ASSOCIATION. PARIS, Dec. 15. In the Chamber of Deputies Le Comte De Mun opened the debate on FrancoGerman questions before a crowded Chamber. He made a telling speech, the effect of' which was that previously in history France had lost colonies by being always with weapons in her hand. It was now different.

M. Deselves (Foreign Minister), who was much interrupted by laughter, and ironical cheers, said that Germany absolutely re-fused to agree to a conference of the Algericas Powers. He said that if such conference were called she would insist on the re-establishment of the status quo. After France liad refused to cede any of Morocco Germany asked for the whole of the Gabun and Congo territory between the ocean and the Sanga river, France receiving Togoland and a strip of the Cameroons. Tension was created when France refused. Germany then suggested that she should bo given access to the Congo river, and she afterwards proposed to divide Morocco into two zones, of one of which Germany was to have advantage. The 'outline of the ultimate agreement emerged only in October. Spain was now asked to pay an equitable price for the advantages confered by the Franco-German agreement. Comte De Mun's interpolation was negatived by 448 to 88.

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA

LONDON, Dec. 15. The House of Commons has finished the debate on foreign affairs. Sir Edward Grey (Foreign Minister) stated that he Lad informed Russia of the n«cessity of securing stable Persian government, the impossibility of reinstating the Shah necessitating the presence of a strong financial adviser succeeding M« Slraster (Treasurer-Gen-eral), the desirability of Britain and Russia co-operating in facilitating a loan and Russia ceasing to occupy territory when her demands were compiled with.