The Waikato Times, THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE, AND KAWHIA ADVOCATE. Established Thirty-Four Years. THE OLDEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE WAIKATO. THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY DAILY PAPER SOUTH OF AUCKLAND. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1906. AGGRESSIVE GERMANY.

Waikato Times, Volume LVII, Issue 8051, 7 November 1906, Page 2

The Waikato Times, THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE, AND KAWHIA ADVOCATE. Established Thirty-Four Years. THE OLDEST DAILY NEWSPAPER IN THE WAIKATO. THE LARGEST CIRCULATION OF ANY DAILY PAPER SOUTH OF AUCKLAND. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1906. AGGRESSIVE GERMANY.

A i ai.i.i; mussiigu [mblishuil in our columns yesterday oiitliueil a s|»eecli Julivereil by Ileri' Bassennau, loader eif the National Liberal [larty in the Uerniau Iteiehstajr, in which an extraordinary statement was made. Heir Uassermau is reported to have declared that " Britain was the nivot of Gennany's entire political world and development .... and that King Edward is silently pursuing with iron persistence a policy intended to promote .Britain's greatness and secure Germany's isolation." This speech is an indication of a feeling of ill-will against England which seems to be steadily growing in the Fatheilaud. A recent, writer in a well-informed German periodical, describing the meeting not long ago between the King and the Kaiser, after referring to the extreme cordiality that characterised it, implies that it may have paved the way for a closer and better understanding between England and Germany, If the article were generally in this strain, it would indicate a feeling that would give great satisfaction to all to whom universal peace aud tranquility appeal, but unfortunately the writer proceeds to adopt a distinctly menacing tone, and asserts that England has now two alternatives before her; either an AngloFrench counterpoise, or that of including Germany within the circle of her friendships. There is also an inference that England is giving encouragement to French diplomacy to hem in Germany politically, with the help of Russia and other States, so closely that the attempt of (Jeiuiany to break tluough the circle could only end iu her defeat. A better understanding with Germany is much to be desired, but if it can only be purchased at the cost of altering our relations with France it would appeal' that England and Germany must remain at variance. The understanding with France was not based on any hostility to Germany. The whole of Germany's complaint and menace to Britain rests upon the assumption that France is aggressively disposed towards Germany, and that the latter is in danger of attack from France. As a matter of fact France has never been in such a pacific mood as at the present time. England will do anything to arrive at a mure cordial understanding with Germany, short of quarrelling with or in any other way upsetting her friendly arrangements with France, and if the choice of friendship is to lie between France and Germany, a choice the writer under notice and others seem to give her, England would undoubtedly choose France without hesitation for her liicnd and ally. | Uut England is prepared to be , friendly at once with both Franco '■ aud Germany, provided the rights of the former are respected, and Ger- . many abandons the policy that has come into such prominence of lute. EXHIBITION CHARGES, Tin Inhibition authorities appear to , be endeavouring to wring from visitors lo the lair the maximum amount of toll. One would naturally think j that the price of admission would be fixed at an amount thai would cover all the privileges usually attaching to such an exhibition, but this does not seem to be the case. The admission ticket gives right of entry ■ apparently only to the avenues. An extra charge is levied upon those who desire to visit the Aid Gallery. which is essentially a part of the Exhibition. An additional charge is also made for admission to the concert" hall and the-Maori pah. and even if a visitor desires to rest by the way, he has to pay for the privilege of using one of the seats provided. These extra charges will not tend to popularise the Ivxhibitiou, and it will not be surprising if visitors to Christch irch will be forced to find , less expensive means of enjoying themselves than patronising the i International Exhibition on such terms. It is to be hoped for the , | sake of the success of the Ivxhibitiou ;| and for the sake of those visiting it, 1 j that these disadvantages will be reJl moved with out delay. Visitors to the ; scene of the Exhibition will 1 I lind lhe cost of living in (,'hrist--1 chin eh sufficiently heavy without having to lay out large large sums • every time they enter the Exhibition 1 | doors. ________^^_