The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1911. THE MOROCCAN CRISIS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 17, 5 September 1911, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, SEPTEM BER 5, 1911. THE MOROCCAN CRISIS.

Tho very serious aspect of affairs between Germany and Britain over Moroccan affairs lias been gradually reached by the happenings of some mont's past. At the end of J uiy a passage in a speech delivered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer at the Mansion House, excited an immenseamount of attention in Europe. It would have been remarkable in any case as coming from a Minister who is such an avowed friend of peace and so well disposed towards Germany as Mr Lloyd George. The passage, which was taken as embodying the considered judgment of tho British Cabinet, which had met that day was as under:—“lt is essential in the highest interests, not merely of out own country, but of the world, that Britain should at ail hazards maintain her place and her ' prestige amongst the Great Powers of Europe. Her potent influence has many a time in the past been and may yet bo in the future invaluable to the cause of human liberty. It has more than once redeemed Continental nations, who are now apt to forget these services, from overwhelming disaster and even from national extinction. I would make sacrifices to preserve peace. I conceive that nothing would justify a disturbance of international goodwill except questions of the gravest national moment, but if a situation wore to be forced upon us in which peace l could only be preserved by the surrender of the great and beneficent position Britain has won by centuries of heroism and achievement, by allowing Britain to be treated where her interests were vitally affected as if she were of no account in the Cabinet of nations, then 1 say emphatically peace at that price would lie a humiliation intolerable for a great country like ours to endure.” English files to hand publish much comment on this speech, tho “Westminster Gazette” heartily agreeing with these sentiments. The “Daily Chronicle” took the view that “tho unfavourable impression which was created at the outset by Germany’s ‘conversational ! opening’ at Agadir had been deepened by what had leaked out regarding the nature of the conversations. 'I he “Daily News” admitted “there is some danger of Germany’s forcing Franco into a corner, whence her only ways out would bo either by war or by a complete and disastrous loss of her international standing. No one has striven more consistently and heartily than we have to promote Anglo-German friendship. But it would be folly to mislead German opinion at such a juncture, or to obscure the fact that when Mr Lloyd George spoke on Friday be spoke for the nation. There is no possibility of national disunion over matters vital to us all.” Tho Unionist press goes further, for the “'rimes” says:—VMr Lloyd George’s clear, decisive, and statesmanlike reference to the Euro-

pcan situation created by the German demands in West Africa will lie endorsed without distinction of party by all his countrymen. The purport of such demands as wore outlined in Berlin last week is nothing loss than a (hum for absolute European predominance. Neither Franco nor Great Britain could have entertained them for a moment without, confessing themselves overborne by German power. That is not the intention of our French neighbours, nor is it our own. Mr Lloyd George made that perfectly clear. But we have every confidence that, with the better understanding of British temper which Mr Lloyd George’s speech is calculated to produce, those demands will assume a more reasonable form.” As to what Germany really wants the “Nation” gives soma idea and states that it is now definitely known by semi-official indiscretions that what Germany demands as tiic price of her withdrawal from Agadir is nothing less tluyi the cession of the greater part of the French Congo and the surrender of France’s option on the Belgian Congo. The coveted province ,is the wealthy and populous Gabim country, which lies between the German Cameroons and the Congo river, and includes the thriving port of Libreville. The hinterland, thus left to France, would become isolated and almost worthless. The claim is so extravagant that one can with difficulty believe that it is seriously made. Before Mr Lloyd George made his speech the “Spectator” had gone to press with an article in which tiio very gravest view was taken of the situation caused by Germany’s action. After referring to the enthusiasm and good will with which the Kaiser and the German Crown Prince had been received lately in London, the “Spectator” said;—“Unfortunately, the men who have the conduct of foreign affairs in Germany appear to have been unwise enough to draw the sinister conclusion that our fickle population is tired of the entente with France, and quite willing to abandon it for a flirtation with Germany. The next stop for the controllers of German policy seems to have been to argue that now was the time to drive a wedge between France and Britain and break down that entente which lias done so much for the peace of the world. It is hardly necessary to say that if our interpretation of German action is correct, the conductors of German foreign policj’ will have a rude awakening. If wo stand by France loyally and firmly there will be no war. If we do not stand by her the risk of war is multiplied by ten. Germany must be warned, however, that if she presses France unduly, and makes her action at Agadir a ground for whatj, is in fact diplomatic blackmail, Russia and Britain will come to her assistance, and not merely with diplomatic Notes. We shall be loyal to France whatever happens. That is the way of honour, of self-interest, and of peace.” With this spirit animating , all sections of the community it" is evident there is a determination not to allow, Germany to have her own way in Africa,' though naturally there is the'keenest possible desire that the difficulty, may yet be settled without resort to arms.