THE WAR CLOUD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 147687, 5 September 1911, Page 7

THE WAR CLOUD.

MOKOCCAN NEGOTIATIONS,

A GRAVE SITUATION.

IS GERMANY READY ?

DISPOSITION OF THE FLEET.

FRENCH FRONTIER DEFENCES.

BRITISH INSPECTION.

PEACE DEMONSTRATIONS.

By ; Telegraph.—Press Association.Copyright. -

(Received September 5, 1 a.m.)

London, September 4. Newspapers are full of articles, mostly of the gravest tone, dwelling on the danger, which, after 41 years, again confronts Germany on Sedan Day. The Deutscher Zeitung asks whether in view of the gravity of the outlook all has been done to ensure that the high posts in the army are adequately filled. The paper points out that General Sir J. D. French (Inspector-General of the British Forces) is inspecting the French frontier defences, and that relations with Britain are severely strained. It deprecates concentrating the fleet in the Baltic for reviews and manoeuvres, leaving not a single battleship in the North Sea. •

Correspondents agree that a more hopeful spirit prevails in Berlin regarding the Morocco negotiations. Tue chief point presenting difficulties relates to the safeguarding of German industry in Morocco.

The Tangier correspondent of the Telegraph reports that 3000 French soldiers from Casablanca have been ordered to occupy Marrakesh.

A Reuter message from Berlin states that 100,000 people, including women and children obeyed the summons of the Social Democratic leaders to demonstrate at Treptow Park yesterday against the warlike agitation over Morocco, and for peace • between the peoples. •• Ten platforms were utilised, the speakers being Reichstag deputies or candidates. The utmost order prevailed.

BELGIAN PRECAUTIONS.

DEFENCES STRENGTHENED.'

Brussels, September 5. There is much activity in military circles.

The defences of the Meuse have been strengthened, and the forts at Liege" and Namur supplied with ammunition and food as in wartime.

"VERY CRITICAL TIME."

PRAYERS FOR PEACE.

(Received September 4, 9.10 p.m.)

London, September 4.

' The Bishop of Winchester. (Dr. H. E. Ryle), preaching to members of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, asked the people to pray that the peace of Europe might be preserved at this very critical time.

GERMAN RESERVES

SUMMONED.

TEST OF EFFICIENCY.

Berlin, September 3.

A number of German reservists in London have been ordered to rejoin the colours, some within 24 hours. . It is stated that this short notice is intended to test the effectiveness of the reserve for rapid mobilisation.

THE TRIPLE ENTENTE.

COMMUNITY OF VIEWS.

Paris, September 3.

M. de Selves (Foreign Minister) received Sir Francis Bertie, British Ambassador, and M. Isvolsky, Russian Ambassador, to-day. Le Temps states that the interviews showed entire community of views between the three Cabinets,

RIGHTS OF SPAIN.

ANOTHER MOROCCAN PORT.

Madrid, September 3. •

Replying to French criticisms alleging' the inopportuneness of Spain's , intention to occupy Ifni, southward of Agadir, under the Spanish-Morocco Treaty of 1860, it is officially explained that the subject was discussed for three years. Spain's resolve was due to Morocco non-fulfilment of a definite promise in respect of Spain's rigths. <

IF WAR SHOULD COME !

A EUROPEAN CONFLAGRATION.

There can be no doubt that at this moment there is a very real danger of war breaking out between Great Britain and Germany. The prospect of all that such a struggle implies is one to stagger the imagination. But an Anglo-German conflict, terrible as that would be, is osly a part of the horrors which threaten at the moment to flood Europe with blood. The immediate cause of the quarrel lies between France and Germany, the former allied with Russia, the latter allied with Austria and Italy. War, between France and Germany might, therefore, resolve itself into a conflict, in which —

On one side would be ranged Great Britain, France, and

. Russia, - Pitted against them being Germany, Austria, and Italy.

As there is understood to be a secret compact between Germany and Spain, the opening of hostilities would probably find

Frenchmen and Spaniards contending for possession of the Pyrenees. While what is of far more importance, Germany would enjoy the hospitality of the splendid Mediterranean ports of the Peninsula. So far as Britain is concerned the war, should it come to that, would be found raging in every quarter of the world and in every sea. The strength of the British fleet, when compared with that of Germany, is considerably greater than two to one. The British naval force in Home waters is, indeed; more than a match for the total naval strength of Germany, scattered over all the oceans of the Garth. Britain has a naval force of 600 ships of all sorts, but it is the big chip that counts, and the relative position of the great nations with regard to Dreadnoughts is as follows :— Com- Com- Building or pleted. Dieting, authorised. Total. Britain ... ... 12 4 16 32 Germany ... 5 5 11 21 United States ... 4 2 6 . 12 France 0 6 4 • 10 Italy 0 13 .4 Austria 0 0 4 "4 Japan ... ... 2 1 2 5 Russia ... •... 0 0 4 4 | Spain ~ ... 0 0 22 Argentina ... 0 0 22 • Brazil ... ... 2,0 1 3 Totals s .. 25 19 55 99 _ The personnel of the British fleet consists of 134,000 of the finest fighting material in the' world, with long centuries of splendid tradition and invariable victory behind them to stimulate them in the hour of trial. In the event of war, it would, of course, be the duty of the King's ships to bring the enemy to a decisive engagement as soon as possible. A' few years ago Lord Fisher concentrated in Home waters the flower of the navy, so that all danger of invasion of. Britain's shores may be dismissed as purely chimerical. The recent statement of the First Sea Lord dismissed the possibility of such a thing as outside the "region of serious debate. Britain's shores are absolutely safe. But the protection of our immense merchant service would impose upon our flying cruisers a duty of the most arduous and vital nature, dependent ae Britain is upon supplies from abroad to feed its teeming population; The vast armies which would march in tho event of the respective allies of France and Germany taking the field, as well as Great Britain, are shown in the following table :— . BRITAIN AND ALLIES. Men. Great Britain 610,000 France ...■ ... ...: ... 725.000 Russia ... 1,500,000 Total ... ... 2,835,000 GERMANY AND ALLIES. Men. Germany 1,165,000 Austria ... 895,000 Italy ... 400,000 Spain ... ... ... ... ... 110,000 Total ..." ... 2,570,000 The financial problems connected with the waging of a war euch as we are considering are of the most colossal kind. Hundreds of millions would be necessary to start such a conflict, while to keep it going well nigh incalculable treasure would have to be expended. France is a. country of great wealth and of unquenchable patriotism. The wealth of Germany has also grown in recent years at an almost incredible rate. Russia, however, is always in difficulties for ready money—difficulties that at times would be seriously embarrassing but for the wealth of France, and the alacrity with which the French financiers come to the rescue of the St. Petersburg Government.

WHAT GERMANY WANTS.

A PORT ON THE ATLANTIC.

Putting aside all speculation as to the amount of territory which Germany may covet, one fact remains perfectly evident. Germany has set her heart on obtaining a port on the Atlantic, which will secure for her as short a route as possible to South America, and this for commercial, if not for other purposes as well. On this Germany is manifestly bent, and she may be expected to strain every nerve to attain her object. A few weeks ago a warning note reached the Liberte from the Canary Islands. Germany (said the writer of this letter, who has been settled in the islands for some time) would be glad to establish a footing in them. This warning has not been regarded as a sensational scare. On the contrary, it/ has been taken seriously, and has attracted considerable attention. . A glance at the map suffices to show what Germany would gain from this in her desire to open as short a route as possible to South America. And herein really lies the delicate side of the present situation, as Germany will not be thwarted on this pointat least, if she can help it. . '

WARLIKE ACTIVITY IN

ENGLAND.

ARSENALS BUSY.

In view of the present situation in Morocco, says the London Standard, special significance attaches to the activity which has marked the work in the Royal An»enal at Woolwich during the last few months. During that period the employees in the lyddite factory have -been working at the highest pressure, the full complement of men engaged in the manufacture of this explosive (which is used mainly in the construction of shells) being constantly employed, whilst the staff has been persistently working overtime. In addition, a building which had been for some time disused has been again taken into service, and utilised for the extension of the work carried on in the lyddite fac-

tory. In the cordite factory also the greatest activity has been shown, the largest poseible number of men being employed constantly and working overtime each night. Another very significant fact is the speed with which the fitting of the new 4in and sin howitzers has been carried out. The manufacture and, tests of a supply of guns of a new type and the necessary ammunition usually occupy about three years before they are finally approved and issued to the service, yet in the case of the new howitzers the whole of the work has been rushed through in less than 12 months, and the guns and ammunition are already complete and ready for active eervice. ' . Not alone in the Royal Arsenal has this unwonted activity been noticeable, for a large firm of Government contractors near Woolwich has been working ' for , some months at high pressure in the production of small-arm ammunition for the Government.