BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 46, 19 February 1912, Page 5

BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

REASON FOR RECENT RETICENCE EXPLAINED.

SIR EDWARD GREY SPEAKS.'

(By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Press Association.}

(London, February- 17. Sir Edward Grey, addrossipg the Manchester Reform Club, said Mr Asquith’s references >to Lord .Haldane! s visit had been reciprocated’ pt, |ier|in in the same spirit. : ;/h ./■ 11 Both speeches in the Housia of ■■'Commons and the Reichstag were marked by considerable reticence; straint. -This was, necessary; ;'at the present .time, but it did pot limply'a. lack of cordiality. There was no fear of permanent estrangement/ provided the truth got a fair- chance. “If mephitic vapours pro gpner4fed, and unfounded .rumours' are dissipated, there prill be no future .occasion for distrust of the diplomatic Itension. i v (:,'*■ Sir Edward declared the AngloRussian agreement had produced good relations ‘between the two countries, and had preserved the authority of the Persian Government. "Without it in the event of internal revolution, would have advanced to Teheran, and England would have been compelled to secure the Indian frontiers against Russian aggression. Referring to the complaints jn the delay of redress of Prize Court claims, he said that until the nations had established ( an international prize court, neutrals bad no security to obtain redress unless they were prepared to resort to force. . IMPERIALISM v. DEMOCRACY. Berlin, February 17. Herr Bethmann Hollweg, in the Rcicljtude in regard to tho AngloGerman rapprochement/ fearing it may lead to further imperialistic expansion, at the expense of the proletariat. I It declares that while the <fear of an Anglo-German conflict is receding, the spectre -still sits heavily, and colonial burdens are rising.