GERMANY AND BRITAIN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2706, 10 January 1910, Page 5

GERMANY AND BRITAIN.

MR. BALFOUR. ACCUSED OF BEING A “TAIL-TWISTER United I’ickhs Abs*.ciatc.on—CorvuioiiT. LONDON. Jan. 7: The “Manchester Guardian” and other Liberal newspapers are quoting Australian newspapers to prove that colonial opinion is opposed to the claim of the House of Lords to force a referendum. Sir Edward Grey, in the course of a speech, favored an impartial second Chamber amenable to the opinion of the country. Mr. Lloyd-George, speaking at Peckham. made a violent attack on Mr. Balfour, whom he described as a “tailtwister.” He declared that Mr. Balfour’s Hanley speech was the last resort of a thoroughly desperate man who saw that his cause was lost. To talk about war with Germany was, he said, a danger to peace and a disgrace to British politics.

Mr. It. McKenna, First Lord of the Admiralty, speaking at Pontnewyd, denied that the Admiralty had tried to_ drive Mr. Mulliner out of business. He declared that many of Mr. Blatch.ford’s statements were grossly untrue. Referring to the statement that German seamen were better trained, he said that Mr. Blatchford forgot that British sailors sered for 22 years and German sailors were conscript for three years.

SIR WILFRID LAURIER’S VIEW

OTTAWA, Jan. 7. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, referring to the speech made by Mr. Balfour in regard to defence, said h e could not believe that Britain- was in danger, but if Britain were strongly pressed there would be a wave of sentiment all over Canada to go to the succour of the Old Land.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier, in his remarks at Toronto, added that though he was unaware of what was at the back of the Kaiser’s head, and it might be that he was preparing for war, if he was true to his own words, and remembering that blood was thicker than water, Sir Wilfrid Laurier did not believe that he intended to attack the family from which he had sprung. When France humiliated Germany, England’s alliance had saved her. He could not conceive Germany having a score against France because the French armies had overridden the Falherland. The British policy in the past was not to be forgotten by tlie German people. Nevertheless British naval supremacy ivas essential to security of commerce, and a pledge to the world for the good of the world.

GERMAN PRESS COMMENTS

BERLIN

Jan. 7

The “Fremdenblatt” considers that Mr. Balfour Avas justified in warning Britain that the only way to ensure peace is to insure against Avar. It emphasises INIr. Balfour’s disclaimer of his belief in the likelihood of a collision with Germany. The “Neue Freie Press” stigmatises the speech as a shrill Avar-blast against Germany.

IMPORTANT SPEECH BY LORD

CREWE

(Received January 9, 5 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 8

Lord Crewe, Secretary for the ''Colonies, speaking at Portsmouth, said that the Government knew that the German programme was formidable, and from Mr. Mulliner’s firm and other sources Avere aware that Ivrupps had accelerated their Avork. It Avas not the duty of the Admiralty to advertise these facts, but to Avatch and act as necessity arose. The Admiralty and the Government had kept their eye on the danger point, 1912, Avhen Germany avoulc! have If Dreadnoughts and Britain 20 afloat. The accelerating of the German programme presented a formidable state of tilings, because of Britain’s heavy task in

building up something in the nature of a lieAV navy, to keep a margin ahead of other countries. Lord Crewe added : -’-We do not deny the gravity of the situation. The naval estimates for 1910 and 1911 cannot, and will not be light. The British and German Governments are' sincerely desirous to be friendly, but it is impossible to shut our eyes to the fact that the ideals of the two nations might come into conflict. Therefore, it is necessary, to be fully prepared, but AA*e must not make ourselves the laughing stock of the Avhole world. Mr. Balfour did not seem to realise the advantage of delay in building Dreadnoughts.”

IMPORTANT DECLARATION BY „SIR EDWARD GREY.

Sir Edward Grey, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, speaking at Wark, said : “We must be prepared to meet yearly whatever increases in the navy’ estimates are necessary to enable our fleet to be superior to any probable combination of foreigners Avhicli is likely to be brought against us.”