BRITAIN & GERMANY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7978, 8 December 1911, Page 9

BRITAIN & GERMANY

GERMAN CHANCELLOR’S SPEECH SOCIALIST LEADER DEFENDS BRITAIN. By Teieffraph— Press Association—Copyright. BERLIN, December 6. In his speech in the Reichstag, in reply to that delivered in the British Honsi) of Commons-' by Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State ior lorcign .Affairs, Herr von Be chin aim-H oil woe. Imperial Chancellor, defended secret discussions as a method of ensuring success in international negotiations. It was noticeuhle tliat Herr von Bothniann-liollweg was silent rcgauiing British obligations of honour towards France. He contended that the AngloFrench Treaty of 1901 was an initial error leading the Hermans to Algebras, and finally to Agadir, in defence of their economic interests, and with tho determination not to be pushed aside. If the ultimate consequence was tho supposed or real readiness for war on tho part of Britain and a state of political .alcoholism in the world, ho maintained that Cormany was not responsible. Herr von Botbmann-Hollwcg added: “If friendship, is destined to bo inscribed upon the clean slate that has been spoken of between Britain and Germany, it must not bo scratched iu tile hard pencil of mistrust. ' He appealed to Germans to show neither depression nor Chauvinistic pride, hut clear vision, quiet resolve, and unbroken unity on great national questions. Herr Rebel, Socialist leader, declared that the dispatch of the German warship Panther to Agadir had been a menace and a warning to France. He added that Britain had been justified in the action sho took. The spokesmen of other parties advocated a piudent, firm policy. Closure of the debase was agreed to. A resolution by the Centro party, providing that alterations with respect to colonial territory could only occur through a decree- of the Reichstag, was unanimously adopted. Tho session of the Reichstag was closed. . SIR EDWARD GREY WANTS DIPLOMATIC REPOSE. LABOUR MEMBER’S COMPLAINT. LONDON, December 6. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, speaking at Plymouth, said that if the Moroccan depression is passing the diplomatic barometer should begin to rise. Tt- was.'undesirablo to tax it every five minutes; It would be better to have a few weeks' iliplomatio repose. _ ■ Air Phil Snowden, Labour M-F., writing to tho newspaper “ Christian Commonwealth,” states tln-t. a better anderstnnding with Germany is imposliblo while Sir Edward Grey is at the Foreign Office. Unfounded suspicion fills Sir Edward Grey’s mind and' influences all his actions. Few English newspapers comment on Herr yon Bethraauu-Hollweg’s si>eech. A general desire is expressed to close tho incident.,