THE WAR CLOUD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7865, 29 July 1911, Page 1

THE WAR CLOUD

ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN STATEMENT BY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER DIGNIFIED Sc MODERATE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received July 33, 11-5 p.m.) LONDON, July 23. Speaking in tho House of Commons, tho Premier, Mr Asquith, declared that tlio international situation had reached a point at which, it became difficult and harassing unless a solution wore found. A too dose analysis of the causes of the present incident might provoke recrimination. He earnestly appealed to the House not to enter into further .details at present. The question of Morocco bristled with difficulties. but in ' other parte of "West Africa Britain would not think of interfering with territorial arrangements which were considered reasonable by those' directly interested. Any statement that Britain had prejudiced the negotiations between Branco and Germany was a mischievous invention. It would- - bo a grave mistake to let the situation drift until tho assertion of our interests would cause surprise and resentment. Tho Government thought it right, in the beginning, to make it clear that, failing a settlement under the x>resont negotiations, they must become an active party in tho disensmon. It might bo our obligation to do so under the French agreement of 1001. It might bo our duty in defence of British interests directly affected. Ho hoped that hns own state-, ment in the House of Commons three ■weeks ago, and Mr Lloyd George's at tho Mansion House, had made it per-1 foctly clear that wo claimed no predominant or pre-eminent position, but; claimed the position of a party interested in seeing a solution of tho present difficulties.