INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15321, 8 December 1911, Page 3

INTERNATIONAL OUTLOOK

ANGLO-GERMAN RELATIONS,

DISCUSSION IN TILI-; REICHSTAG.

Preos Aeeoci*tion-By Telcgraph-Coyyrish!.

BERLIN, December 6.

In tho coureo of his speech in tho Reichstag Hcrr von Bethmann-Hollweg defended secret discureions as a method of ensuring success in international negotiations.

I It was noticeable that the Imperial Chancellor was eilent regarding Hrteh obligations of honour tmvarde France. He contended that tho Anglo-Freiich Treaty of 1904 was tho initial error, leading tlie Germans Orst to Algecirae and finally to Anadir in dofenco. of tlieir economic interests, and with the determination not to Iμ pushed aside. If the ultimate conecquonoo was tho supposed or real readiness for war on the part of Great Britain, and a ptnte of political alcoholism in the world, ho maintained that. Germany would not be responsible therefor.

The Chancellor continued: "If the friendship of the two Powers ie destined to be inscribed upon the clean elato that hae been spoken of, it must not be «r.itc!;ed.iu with the hard pencil of raietrr6t." He appealed to Germane to dhow neither depression nor chauvinistic prido, but to hold a clear vision and quiet resolv« and unbroken unity on great national questions.

Herr Bcbel declared that the despatch of tho Pnnthor to Agadir was a raenaco and a warning to France, and Great Britain was justified in the action she took. J

The spokesmen of the other parlies advocated ,i prudent but firm policy. The closure of tho debate was agreed to.

The resolution of the Centre party providing that alterations in respect of colonial territory cduld only occur through a decree of the Reichstag was unanimously adopted.

The sittings of the Reichstag havo nowclosed.

SPEECH BY SIR B. GREY. LONDON, December 6. Speaking at Weymouth, Sir K. Grey oaid that, if the Moroccan depression was passing the diplomatic barometer ehould begin to rise. It was undesirable, therefore, to tap it every five He thought it would be better to have' a fewweeks diplomatic repofsc.

PRESS OPINIONS. LONDON, December 6. Writing in the Christian Commonwealth, Mr P. Snowdcn, M.P., eays that a better understanding with Germany is impossibln while Sir E. Groy i« at "the Foreign Office. An unfounded suspicion fills Sir E. Grey's mind and mflueneee k\\ his actions, Only a few Bngh>h newspapers have any comments on Herr von BethmannHollweg'e speech. A general desire is expressed to close the incident.

FRANCE AND SPAIN.

A CANDID WARNING. PARIS, December 6. The Republique Francausc alleges thut the Premier (M. Cnillaux) ferm-ofticially conveyed to King Alfonjo an intimation that it will provo dangerous to tho Spanish dynasty if tho Madrid Cabinet docs not display a more conciliatory eptrit towards France, and that King Alfonro replied: " Spaiu is not Portugal."