EUROPEAN SITUATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15251, 14 March 1913, Page 7

EUROPEAN SITUATION.

NEW ENTENTE SUGGESTED. BRITAIN, FRANCE AND W GERMANY.; \ :.;; ~ :,,, WHAT IT WOULD ENSURE. " PEACE OF THE WORLD." By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright, j (Received March 13, 11.15 p.m.), Paris, March 13. The Temps, in commenting upon the statement . of .Mrv Asquith that Britain 'is. under ho' obligation" to send an armed force-to operate in Europe, remarks'.. that if France, cannot count upon the active co-operation of Britain, spontaneously offered in 1905,1908, and 191 : that is an addition reason for augmenting the French, forces. .. M. Jean Jaures (a/ well-known Socialist- member of Parliament) suggests that as, France arid; Germany do not intend to take .up a policy of aggressiveness an entente might be arranged 1 between France, England, and Germany. This, he says, would; be; a guarantee of the peace of. the world. : . ,<. . Several French 'newspapers are disappointed 'and surprised at Mr. Asquith's . declaration. ; The Rappel states that it is glad that- the question has. been • settled, arid Remarks that anything is preferable to- uncertainty. :.;:. The Eclair says. that it is "riot bad" that France should be told that she must'.count solely on herself. . ... ...••;,-..;. Other .; papers consider that , England will treat each separate case on its-merits, a feature which distinguishes the entente cordiale from an alliance. . --' Some of the French journals, on the other hand, comment favourably on Mr. Asquith's speech. feeling in germany, mr. ASQUITH'S -STATEMENT ■ •;""' ; "welcomed. : "■"■'■■:.:' 12; The-Cologne Gazette says -that Mr., Asquith's ; statement in"- the House of Commons on Monday \ last thai*,: England was not u " i under ' ah obligation to send an expeditionary force abroad, hag. created an agree- ** able iriipression./ ig gratified at the declaration. Mr. 4squith , B; i*eitriarks peace of Europe me also welcomed.. ";;*. .':' GERMAKY AND f «ANCEiv ' ALARMIST' PRESS YIEW <■ : .....■: DISCREDITED.- •■... '-■;,.» : . (Beceived March 13, ; 11.15 ■'p.m.) , :-•'■■*■■; '-?■ ..;* ;U " >i: _ Berlot, :March 13*' - * The German Government has issued . a ..Note dissociating■} itself, from the violent 'press- campaign against Fraric^. r - ;A -~-^-- r --'-'--' The Note declares, that the proposed army increase is not directed against the., .republic, but .that it is inspired by a desire to be ; ready for any attack..;..;:: r ;^ : ;.V;T'^.':'•;; v;*.!.'" <^- Meanwhile'the ; poie'micsVcoritiriu to rage in Paris' arid 'Berlin.--; : .^v i? '' r ' The \- Nord- Deutsche; -Aligemeine Zeitung .; strongly ;, •;:r-eh.uke^ ; ;;t3h«> Cologne' G,azette"and:other alarmist papers for their articles in which it was alleged that; Germany. ,was;; in danger of an attack by. France.. AUSTRIA AND Hungary... v FRONTIER TROOPS REDUCED. .St. PETEiisBURa, March 12., The Note in which Russia'agreed to • demobilise her troops ;on r the Southern frontier, Austria taking similar action, states •'that";..th#,\ exchange -of letters between 5 the Tsar and the Emperor Franz Josef was proof that Balkan.. events had not affected the friendly "■ relations of Austria,and Russia. . ;.-. Explanations exchanged -between the Governments show that Austria disavows cherishing any aggression against her Southern neighbours.'.