GERMAN DIPLOMACY.

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1915, Page 3

GERMAN DIPLOMACY.

THE 1912 NEGOTIATIONS. BRITAIN'S NEUTRALITY DESIRED. SIR EDWARD GREY NOT CAUGHT. (Press Assn.—Reed. 5.15 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, July 20. In a semi-official article the "Norddeutchor Allegemeine Zeitung" gives details of negotiations for an AngloGerman rapprochement in 1012, in which Viscount flaldane was prominent. The German Government desired a reciprocal treaty of neutrality. Germany's first formula ran:— "Should one of the contracting parties he engaged in war the other shall adopt at least a benevolent neutrality and shall exert I every effort to localise the con. diet.'' Britain considered the proposal and replied: "We are too far counter pro. posed, but Britain shall make no unprovoked attack upon Germany and shall refrain from an aggressive policy." She added a declaration: that "an attack upon Germany forms the object of no treaty, nor is ii; the aim of any combination to which Britain belongs, nor will Ki'itniii he a party to any such agreement.'' The journal continues: Germany considered that these assurances already existed in the relations between civiilsed states. She counter-pro-posed the following formula: ."Should one of the contractingparties be involved in Mar and it cannot be said that that Power is the aggressor, then the other will observe at least a benevolent neutrality, and strive to localis e the conflict." Sir Edward Grey reiterated his offer and promise not to participate in any unprovoked attack. Germany finally made further negotiations dependent upon assent to the following clause: ."Britain will naturally preserve a benevolent neutrality in Use event of war being; forced upon t'erniany.'' Sir Edward Grey declined the formula fearing that it would endanger the existing friendly relations between Britain and other powers.