Evening star., 1909-06-13


ed as inevitable. Lord
Rosebery, speaking at
the opening of the imperial press con-
gress at London on the 9Th instant in the
presence of GOO Journalists. was so pes
smistic on the conditions in Europe and
the urgent need of measures for defense
that a cable OF the 10th instant reports
a marked decline In consols as the result.
Lord Rosebery was formerly classed as
a Germanophile, and hence his German
ophobism now is all the more marked
Besides the cables mention that Mr.. Bal
four and Sir Edward Grey Endorsed Lord
Rosebery's pronouncement at the imperial
press congress-
1t was announced by cable that the
London Times would contain in its edi-
torial of the 9th instant the declaration
that England should employ the most
strenuous exertions for the supremacy of
the sea-" And the Times adds: There
is hush in international politics, but IL
Is sultry hush. 1t may unhappily prove
the prelude to a storm, and for the pos
sibility of that storm must be ready.
Sir Edward Grey, foreign minister, at
the second meeting of the imperial press
congress, under the presidency of Mr..
Reginald Mckenna, first lord OF the ad-
mralty, said:
If the navy fails it will be useless to
discuss any other subject" He summed
up the policy of the foreign office as foi-
lows: ITO keep what We have got TO
consolidate and develop, to quarrel as
little as possible with other peoples and
to uphold the ideals of Great Britain.
With SO much at stake the maintenance
OF the navy must be the first considefa-
ton, not only for the home government,
but for all the Self-gOverning commons
of the empire
Mr. McKenna, following Sir Edward
Grey, said he foresaw the possibility of
the empire being called upon to unite
it's whole strength In the common defense
of the home country. He declared he
would assist the development of the 10
cal navies of the oversee dominions In
every way in his power, as ''the main
tenance of supremacy on any sea meant
the maintenance of supremacy on all
seas
The Daily Mail argues that England
has a clear conscience in maintaining the
perilous race of armaments
The Two and pleads the British
proposals Of The Hague
ouosels' conference of 1907 and the
reductions in her naval and military pro-
grams for 1908. While the British navy
estimates were reduced by G4.oOoD0, the
German estimates were increased by
Gi0.0UDON.
Lord Rosebery declared In his speech
that these German preparations for war
should occasion special uneasiness among
the friends of the British empire.
Where" he asks, 'are these prepara-
tions to stop? Will they return Europe
to barbarisIn or will they provoke a ca
tastrophe which will cause the working
people of the world 10 declare We do
not wish more of this folly which re-
duces us TO the dust?' !"
Mr.. Graham Of the Montreal Star re-
piled that the colonial press had stirred
up the enthusiasm which marked a new
era in the attitude of the colonies toward
Imperial interests Canada, he said had
pressed the mother country for protection
in the past. A change had taken place.
Inspired by the zeal of New Zealand and
Australia. Canada was sending delegates
to discuss tho question of the defense OF
Great Britain.
The recent Interview of Emperor Will
liam and Francis Joseph at Vienna and
the announcement of a prospective meet
Russia and the Emperor of Germany
have added to the general distrust of
Germany's acts The Morning Post of
London. referring to the meeting at vi
emma, declares that the naval power of
the triple alliance was undoubtedly dis
cussed, and that 1.-The equilibrium was
broken and that the weight of the triple
alliance would outweigh all that could
be placed in the scales against it." And
the Post concludes that England has no
Suarantee of peace. 1T is necessary
it says, that Great Britain raise her
military and naval forces to such a point
that France and Russia may not hesi-
tate to throw their destiny with Britain,
ard not seek to treat separately with the
tripl.ce. In other words. 1t is necessary
that the triple entente should become a
military accord-an accord military and
naval which shall not be inferior to that
Of Germany and Austria
The Free Conservative Post of Ber-
lin concludes review of Germany's
naval strength by the
German following:
Let 1T not be objected
that our finances do not
allow of more rapid and more
strenuous construction of our navy
Our present precarious financial posi-
tion is due not to a lack of financial
resources, but to the fact that short
sighted party politics do not allow
them to be tapped"
Germany's financial resources are not
SO palpable as the Free Conservative
Post would have US believe. Indeed.
but fer her troubles in this regard she
would have ere this followed up her ad-
by summary action. Germany has
never departed for an instant from the
principle that the only thing that
counts in Europe is force, forever gath
cred within itself and always ready
for action. The confessed ''precariuus
financial position is the cause of the
non employment of force. and tliis
truth is a factor in the present situa-
ton. Money makes war; is famii
lar maxim, and the converse-the lack
of money-makes peace.
1t is instructive to invite attention cur
sorily to the German reichstag, which
will take up again the question of German
finances in July, leaving to commissions
in the meantime the elaboration of such
questions the tax upon incomes, tax
upon acquired wealth, tax upon inherit
ances, tax upon dividends.
The Temps of Paris discusses the ques-
ton of parties In the reichstag and their
several attitudes on the subject at issue
The imperial government has demanded
that the reichstag vote new taxes to the
amount of 5D0,O00,OO9 marks. To this
thorny question of taxes there Is at
stake the future of the government ma
of the practice. indeed, of the parliament
tary regime in Germany.
x
The actual crisis began the day the
finance committee rejected by vote OF
ii against IA. due to a
Crisis coalition between conserv-
atives of the center and
u AdAu' Poles, the project of
tax upon inheritances by direct line. The