EUROPEAN WAR-CLOUD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 85, 23 November 1911, Page 6

EUROPE A N WA R-CLOUD.

THE PANTHER’S VOYAGE TO

AGADIR

A MUTUAL EXPLANATION

SIR- E. GHEY PFTS THE CASE FOR

BRITAIN

'By Electric Telegraph.—Copyrigi C) (United Press Association.) Berlin, November 22. An official extract from Herr von Kiderlen-Wacbter’s confidential speed) to the Budget Committee Inis • been published, which declares that a telegram on dune id instructed the Ambassador to inform the Algeciras signatories of the despatch of the Panther, and the reason for the step. 'liio Ambassador in London was additionally instructed to declare the Act of Algeciras had become illusory, and that it was necessary to protect Berman lives and property until order was restored. An appeal had been made by a number of well-known firms to protect lives, as it was doubtful if Prance was able to revert to the status quo of 19(Jti. Germany was eventually prepared to seek with Franco a solution in accordance with the signatories. Britain was therefore informed of her intentions before the Panther went to Agadir, because the above communication was made on July 1, and Britain did not enquire in reference to it until July 21. At Sir E. Grey’s instance an interview between him and the Ambassador occurred. Sir E. Grey’s opinion on Germany’s action, despite the Ambassador’s explanations as to when the Panther was despatched was again manifested at this interview. Sir E. Grey’s opinion was the result of the charges which the French and British press, and indeed some officials had constantly urged against Germany’s policy. I Herr von Kidorlin-Wachter remarks that Sir E. Grey sought to discuss .Morocco unofficially, and had at the outset emphasised that in view of Britain’s great economic interests Britain must participate in any set-' Ueincnt of the Moroccan question. Sir E. Grey now declares he lias been waiting, hoping for an agreement between France arid Germany, and that it was obvious that France was unable to accept the German demands. He feared the negotiations would be resultless, and the question would again come to the front. What, ho asked, was Germany doing in the closed harbour at Agadir, and the hinterland. He knew nothing of what was occurring, and added that Agadir was suited for the construction of a war port. Nobody knew Germany’s intentions at Agadir. He must expect questions in Parliament if the present negotiations failed and the Agadir question, which involved British interests, would immediately arise. Sir E. Grey believed that now was the time for Britain to participate in the negotiations, from which ho held aloof while there was reason to hope for an agreement outside Morocco, inasmuch as Britain would not lie affected if France and Germany, as at first suggested, sought an agreement by regulation of the Camoroons frontier. The Ambassador replied bo was not informed of the details of the negotiations, and was unable to admit that the German demands were obviously unacceptable, adding in that ease they had not been proposed. The suggestion that Britain join in the negotiations was apparently based on the suggestion that Germany might Guild a naval station at Agadir. These were suppositions whereof he knew nothing. Ho referred to Britain’s compensation in Egypt, and declared if France desired a predominant position in Morocco she must offer to Germany an equivalent elsewhere. Sir E. Grey replied that it was unwise to oppose German expansion in the heart of Africa, but in the event of failure to breach an agreement with Franco the situation would become less acute is discussed before further incidents arose in regard to Agadir. The foregoing conversation showed that Sir E. Grey assumed chat Germany meant to stay in Morocco. The Ambassador’s report reached. Berlin on the 22nd, and lie was imbnodiately instructed to assure Sir E. Grey it was not intended to establish ' a naval port in Morocco. Germany would never think of such a tiling. It was an hallucination, and Germany had no designs on Moroccan territory. Negotiations wore begun and the strictest secrecy guaranteed. Germany took her obligations seriously, and had not even informed her allies. France supplied the press, also her friends, with incomplete information, calculated to cast suspicion on Germany. The latter, therefore, ceased negotiations until secrecy had been, guaranteed. If negotiations had failed, she intended to insist on the execution of the Algeciras arrangement to the letter and spirit. PROCEDURE OF BRITAIN CONDEMNED. LIKELY TO PRECIPITATE WAR. (Received 23, 8.5 a.m.) Berlin, November 22. On the same day as Mr LloydGeorge’s speech was read in Berlin Sir Edward Grey’s subsequent suggestion for permission to announce to Parliament Germany’s declaration that she had no designs on Moroccan territory was not complied with lest it would bo interpreted as due to Mr Lloyd-George’s speech. The Ambassador on the 21th was instructed to point out that the speech furnished an occasion for a large part of the British and the entire French press to make violent attacks on Germany. Sir Edward Grey must perceive this effect. Tile Minister's speech gave rise to dissatisfaction in Germany in a high degree. Germany’s straightforward, acceptable proposal related to regions not affecting British interest. Then followed the intimation mentioned by Herr von Ilollwog.. It', instead, the British Government had caused the Minister to make a declaration interpreted as a warning to Germany bordering on a threat it was difficult to find grounds of procedure, and a friendly .agreement between Germany and France could not be promoted thereby. Had Britain intended to complicate and confuse the situation and bring things to a violent outburst she could have chosen no hotter means. Sir Edward Grey promised that there was no intention of a territorial declaration in Parliament, but remarked that the case was by no moans allaying-disquiet. ENGLISH (Ml A NCELLOR 'S SPEECH DEFENDED, BY SIR EDWARD GREY. (Received 23, 8.5 a.m.) Berlin, November 22. Herr Kiderlin added that Sir Edward Grey defended Mr BloydGenrge’s speech as moderate and it I was quite right to deliver it. Germany 1 replied that the English would ascertain the nnacceptableness of Germany's demands in the colonial

| sphere without ;i knowledge ol 1 lie politic:!l equivalent ollered by Germany. Mo appealed to Britain to assist to assuage the exeitement prevailing in France. Thereafter the negotiations made hetUr progress.