The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-07-29
MAY MEAN WAR
Premier Asquith Makes Plair EuslaBd's
Attitude About Morocco.
WANTS ISSUE SETTLED

Commons Indicates Nearness of q
Crisis in Dispute Between France
and Germany Over the Morocco
Matter.
A cablegram from London says
the most pessimisti: view regarding
the acuteness of the Moroccan situ-
aticn was taken Thursday in the
comment of the prime minister,
when he delivered a speech the
! House of Commons which had been
carefully prepared. He stated that
Great Britain proposed to stand for
what she considered her rights and
to maintain the balance OF power in
Europe.
Further testimony to the gravity
Of the situation is given By the fact
that the prime minister had taken
the leader of the Opposition into the
Governments confidence, and Mr.
Mr.. :Dalfour's declaration was no less
firm than Mr.. Asquith's.
Tae prime minister's statement
is couched in strong terms. At the
very opening he said:
1T is obvious that this Moroccan
question has reached point at
which it will become increasingly
difficult embarrassing and anxious
unless a solution is found"
Later he said: 1--WE thought it
right from the beginning to make
clear that failing of settlement
such as I have indicated, we must
become an active. party in the dis
cussion Of the situation. That would
be our right as signatory to the
treaty Of Algeciras, as it might be
our obligation under the terms Of
our agreement of 1904 with France.
It might be our duty in defense of
British interest directly affected by
further developments"
In promising the support of the
opposition to the government Mr.. Bal
four said: 81 ss&
! IF there are any who supposed
that we would be wiped of the map
of Europe because we have our diff
ferences at home, it may be worth
while saying that they bitterly mis-
take the temper of the British peO-
pie and the patriotism of the opposi-
ition."
Such plain speaking on a question
frought with possibilities Of great:
European war has not been heard in,
the British Padliament in a great
many years. The outcome Of the
siuation appears to rest almost who'll
ly on Germany's shoulders. If as
some German papers say, Germany
has reached the stage of national de-
velopment where the necessities Of
her population demand that she en-
lnrge, and imposes conditions on
France which Great Britain think
threaten her interests, the only re-
suit, so far as those best informed
see it, will be the oft-threatered and
long averted European war
The majority of the German news
papers profess to think that Mr..
oyd-George warning was not ad-
dressed to Germany, but sort Of
general proclamation of principles.
The prime minister made it plain,
however, that Great Britain would
not consent to some of the ideas Of
Germany. Great Britain feels that
Germany thought she could take ad-
vantage of the crisis, and that Eng
land was busily engaged in home af-
fairs-too busy to pay attention to
other questions. The politicians and
the public earnestly hope that Ger
many's programme is not one which
may be impossible.
The British prime ministers
statement In the House of Commons
was greeted in Paris with the great
est satisfaeGonl The opinion ex-
pressed tonight is one Of confidence
in satisfactory settlement OF the
controversy between France and
Germany.
Premier Caillaux conferred with
NJ. Desolyes, minister Of foreign al
fairs, and afterwards with the minis
ters of war, marine, public works
and finance Later M. Caillaux said
that prudence and cool heads were
morethan necessary to all parties.
The Temps say that although the
French ambassador to Germany, and
Baron Won Kiderlen-Waechter, the
German foreign secretary have taken
on a tone of greater cordiality, they
have not resulted in advancing the
situation.