BRITAIN AND GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15384, 22 February 1912, Page 7

BRITAIN AND GERMANY

LORD HALDAXE'S MISSION. DEBATE IN THE REICHSTAG. Press Association—ll? Telegraph—Copyright. BERLIN, February 20. In the Reichstag Ilerr Paasche said that while welcoming the thought, of better relations with England, he regarded liiird llalilane's mission with mixed feelings, and he did not believe that Great Britain was offering them benefits without mental reservation. If err Gotliein (Progressive) said ho welcomed the announcement of tho negotiations with joy. KAISER AND ENGLAND. BRITAIN'S FRIEND. INTERVIEW WITH LORD LONSDALE. (From Oun Own ConnEsroNnrsT.l LONDON, January 10. There recently appeared in the Englieh press a seemingly inspired paragraph that the Kaiser would shortly be the guest of Ivord lionsdah) at LovVthcr Castle. Tho following day the explanation was made that the Kaiser could not visit England until King George mis visited Germany. The Daily News neized the occasion for an interview with the sporting Earl, and obtained some excellent "copy." 1/ird Ijonsdalc has more than once acted as host to the Kaiser, and lie made it plain that lie could repeat nothing of what his Majesty had said to him regarding England, " I am quite sure tho Emperor is rather at a loss to understand the position our Government has taken up," declared Lord Lonsdale. "As regards the war scarce, I confess I don't understand it. I was on the borders of Germany when the Panther a i rived at Agadir. Naturally I know many of the most influential people in Germany, and I can say that some of the press comments could, not be understood bv them. "My humble experience of Germany is that there is a very strong trade feeling such as is sure to be found where nat ions compete in commerce; but I also know that the Gentian populace (whatever llio papers may have written) always looked upon England rather as an ally than anything else. The general idea, was: 'The two nations fought side by side at Waterloo, the Emperor is one of tho strongest, admirers of England. Why should these two suddenly squabble and take reverse sides?' But. now it- goes beyond trade disputes, and that speech (of Mr Lloyd George) has created such an effect on the minds of German subjects that I think it will take a good many years to live it down. The difference that has grown up in international feeling during the last 10 or 15 years is perfectly remarkable. RESOLVED NOT TO HAVE WAR. "If," said I/)rd Lonsdale, "the Emperor had not heen resolved, almost from the outset, not to have war, it would have been very difficult for any Cabinet to havo resisted. The idea thai, the Emperor ever intended to attack England or any part of England, or her coinmerce is absolutely untrue. The one great 'head' of peace, the man whose argument is that a and eflicioiit army is the best provision for the maintenance of peace, as well as a preparation for war, is the German Emperor, and nobody who knows him moro or less intimately ronld ever get over the fact that bis one honor (until he i 6 compelled in the interests of Inn own country) is the I bought of a war. He would do anything rather than create a" war. There is no greater soldier, there is no greater mind; and no great soldier, sailor, or man of great mind in the present, day would accept responsibility for the awful happenings that are inevitable in war under present conditions. Esneciallv so is this with the German Emperor, in whose realms all the latest scientific human-destroying instruments and projectors are at their highest efficiency, SYMPATHY WITH ENGLAND. " There is one tiling England can be perfectly certain of. Behind the mili-' t-aiy and determined nature of the Emperor there is one of the kindest hearts that ever beat iu any man. His horror of the effects of war,, by which thousands would be deprived of those they love best, has a very extraordinary eli'cct on him. With all his determination to stand no nonsense, hi<; very last wish would lie ever lo make any war whereby any human being could be injured or killed. There are many things I should like to say," Lord Lonsdale added, "but when I am accepting hospitality it is not for me to repeat what is said and to make mischief. But I can say this—that during the very considerable number of years in which I had had the honour to receive his Majesty s kindness. I have never heard him in my life say one word which would not be accepted as anything but sympathetic towards JCngland. And although 1 may at times have made remarks about statements made , on particular Government ad ions in a certain quarter, I am perfectly convinced that there is no greater ally, no human being more devoted to England, Englishmen, English sports, and to the English iu aeneral— so far as is consistent with the interests of his own nation-than the German Emperor."