THE WAR CLOUD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3282, 29 July 1911, Page 5

THE WAR CLOUD.

[UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—-COPYRIGHT. LONDON, July 27. Mr. Asquith, in the House of Commons, said that he hoped for a favorable outcome of the parleying between France and Germany. Otherwise Great Britain, as one of the signatories to the Algeciras treaty, would become an active party in the discussion. BERLIN, July 27. The Kaiser has curtailed his Norwegian cruise, and returns to Swinemunde to-morrow to consult Ministers. The German newspapers are increasingly truculent in tone. They declare Germany is ready to pick up the glove, and any attempt to hold her in will lead -to a catastrophe. The “Kolnische Zeitung” (an important provincial paper) says that the German people are indisposed to allow themselves to be treated to violence by foreign Powers. "Let them beware in London and Paris,” adds the journal. UNIONISTS AND LIBERALS UNITED. ATTITUDE OF LABOR PARTY. “ WE WILL STAND FOR PEACE.” (Received July 28, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 28. Mr. Balfour, who had previously been in consultation with Sir Edward Grey, emphasised the non-party attitude, and said: — “Any critics who count upon their own absorption with Home disputes making it easy to wipe us off the map of Europe, because they had difficulties at Home, utterly mistook the temper of the British people, and the patriotism of the Opposition.” Mr Ramsay MacDonald declared that the organised Labor forces of all countries would stand for peace, in fair or foul weather. He was sorry that Mr. Lloyd-George had made his Mansion House speech, (Opposition cries of No!), because the statement should have been macle through private channels. He did not agree to private negotiations wherein the public were absolutely powerless to influence the direction of the negotiations., “The Labor Party,” he added, “would co-operate with the LaborItes in Cermany and France to the last moment in the interests of peace. If the path of peace be wrecked at the present moment, we shall stand by peace after it has been wrecked.”

CERMAN PRESS ON ENCLAND.

TRUCULENT IN TONE.

“LET LONDON AND PARIS BEWARE.”

BRITAIN TAKES A FIRM STAND.

“ HANDS OFF'” OBVIOUS THREAT A.T BRITAIN. “ TO IMPERTINENT DISPUTERS.’ BERLIN, July 28. An inspired bellicose communication published in the “Lokal Anzaeger,” declares : Germany is indisposed to tolerate any wanton or frivolous interference, and it issues a warning: “To impertinent disputers of peace —‘Hands off!’ ” This particular phrase is much quoted, recalling Gladstone’s warning to Austria regarding the occupation of Bosnia in 1878. “ DIFFICULT AND HARASSING.” MR. ASQUITH ON THE POSiTION. “ DON’T ASK ME TO CO INTO DETAILS.” A MODERATE AND DIGNIFIED STATEMENT. LONDON, July 28. In the House of Commons Mr. Asquith declared:— “The situation has reached a point at which it has become difficult and harrassing, unless a solution'is found, and a too close analysis of the causes of the present incident may provoke recrimination.” He earnestly appealed to the House to enter into further details, and added : The present question in regard to Morocco bristled with difficulties, but in other parts of West Africa Britain would not think of interfering with territorial arrangements, which she considered reasonable, by those directly interested. “Any statement that Britain has prejudiced the negotiations between France and Cermany is made with mischievous intention, and it is a grave mistake to let the situation drift until the assertion of our interests would cause surprise and resentment. “The Government thought it right in the beginning to make it clearer that failing a settlement they must become an active party in the discussion. “It might be our obligation under the French agreement of 1904. It might be our duty in deference to British interests directly affected. “I hope my own statement in the Commons three weeks ago, and Mr Lloyd-George’s at the Mansion House have made it perfectly clear that we claimed no predominant or preeminent position, but claimed the position of a party interested in seeing a solution of the present difficulties.”