BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13825, 21 July 1915, Page 6

BRITAIN AND GERMANY.

THE 1913 NEGOTIATIONS,

FRUITLESS EFFORT TO REACH A

RAPPROCHEMENT.

(Received July 20, 8.5 p.m.)

Amsterdam, July 20,

The semi-official "Norddeutscher Allegmeine Zeitung" details the negotiations for an Anglo-German rapprochement in 1912, in which Lord Haldane was prominent. The German Government desired a reciprocal treaty of neutrality. Germany's first formula ran: "Should me of the contracting parties' be engaged in war the'-other shall adopt at least a benevolent neutrality and exert every effort to localise the war."

Britain considered this proposal went too far, and counter-proposed that "Britain shall make no unprovoked attack upon Germany and shall refrain from an' aggressive policy," adding a declaration that "an attack upon Germany forms the object of no treaty nor is it the aim of any combination to which Britain belongs, nor will1 Britain be a party to any such agreement."

Germany considered these assurances already existed in the relations between civilised States, and counter-proposed the following formula:—"Should cno of the contracting parties become involved in war and it cannot be said that that Power is the aggressor, then the other will observe at least a benevolent neutrality and strive to localise the conflict.'s

Sir Edward Grey reiterated his offer to promise not to i>articipate in an unprovoked attack.

Germany finally made further negotiations dependent upon Britain's assent to the following clause:—"Britain will naturally preserve a benevolent neutrality in the event of war being forced upon Germany."

Sir Edward Grey declined this formula, fearing it would endanger the existing friendly relations between Britain and other Powers.