IMPERIAL POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2273, 19 August 1908, Page 3

IMPERIAL POLITICS.

BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

THE TWO-POWER STANDARD,

United Press Association. Copyright

LONDON, August 17. Mr. Churchill, speaking at Swansea, strongly deprecated the attempt by some people in Britain to spread - the belief that war between Britain and Germany was inevitable. It was all nonsense. Britain was an island, and no Government which was likely to be in power would depart in any degree from the naval policy of securing it effectively from outside invasion. Secondly,' there was no collision of primary interests between Britain and Germany in any quarter oi the globe, Germany being among then very best customers. Regarding th« apprehension that some colonies were seizable, nothing could alter the destiny of great communities like Canada, Australia, South Africa, and India. The colonies were pursuing tlieir own path and their own destiny, which would not bo altered in the future as the result of any struggle in Europe. After ridiculing the idea of two great countries fighting for what remained, namely, tropical plantations and small scattered coaling stations,he concluded by urging Home - Rule for Ireland as a -great act of P statecraft. . . Details of Mr. Lloyd-George’s interview at Carlsbad show that he upheld the two-power standard in the interest of Britains’ defence, but pointed 'to the formidable difficulties •that had been settled in our relations with France and Russia as suggesting the possibility of an understanding with Germany in the direction ol limiting future building of new ships, ■and arranging a proportion for each. The “Times” states that Britain’s foreign, policy is too gravely vital to be removed from the high plane ol statesmanlike guidance by inexperienced politicians. The “Standard” accuses Mr. LloydGeorge and Mr. Churchill of assuming charge of foreign affairs with the view of ousting Sir Edwarc\ Grey. The “Telegraph” states that the Government are considering an offer from financiers "to find 100 million pounds on nominal terms to meet the necessities of the fleet without disorganising the annual Budgets. The offer of aid has renewed competition in naval armaments abroad, and it is intended to show determination to maintain the two-Power standard. The revenue would meet normal expenditure, and the loan fund .special requirements An .influential section of the Cabinet supports it. The “Daily News” utterly discredits the naval loan report and certain speeches as folly resulting from a navy scare. It adds that the country would not tolerate an increase in taxation to meet a navy panic. BERLIN, August .17. Prince Billow’s organ, “Sudiliutsce Reich’s” corespondent hints that a premature agitation for disarmament is calculated to impede British and German efforts to understand the aims of each other’s policy.