Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-28
Situation Complicated.

The communication made to the
British foreign office by Count Paul
Wolf Metternich on July l, in regard
to the despatch of the German gun
boat Panther to Agadir in Southern
Morocco and the ambassadors explain
alton of that matter, continued Sir
Edward Grey, made 1t clear that Ger
many regarded a return to the status
quo in Morocco as impossible and that
Germans real objection was a definite
solution of the whole Moroccan ques-
/ ton.
on July 8, Sir Edward Grey inform
ed the German ambassador that the
situation created by the despatch of
the Panther to Agadir was so serious
and important that it must be dis
cussed at a cabinet council and on
July 4 he told Count lff-Metternich
that Great Britain was not able to
take up a disinterested attitude con-
corning Morocco nor to recognize any
new arrangement without her consent.
A long silence followed and the next
conversation between Sir Edward Grey
and Count Wolff Metternich took
place, July 81, when the British foreign
secretary told the German ambassa-
dor that the British government ad-
hered to his statement made on July 4.
Sir Edward Grey also told Count
Wolff -Metternich on that occasion that
the British government knew that a
Ireetification of the Congo frontier was
pro- posed as the basis of a settlement
between Germany and France and said
he thought the matter might be ar
ranged on such a basis without at
fecting British interests.
I'VE shall be very glad if this hap
pens and in the hope that it would
happen we have hitherto stood on one
side" Sir Edward Grey said to the
ambassador, and continued, but had
been made anxious by the news re-
garding the demands which the Ger
man government had made from the
French government, which in effect
meant a cession of the French Congo
government to concede. pointed out
that the Germans were in the closed
port of Agadir, that they We're land
ing and negotiating with the tribes and
for all we knew might be acquiring
concessions. 1t might also be that
the German flag had been hoisted at
Agadir, which is the most suitable port
on that coast for naval base"
Sir Edward Grey pointed out to
Count Wolff -Metternich that in the
event of the negotiations with France
failing, Great Britain would be obliged
to take some step in order to protect
British interests.
5 The German ambassador was not in
a position to impart any information
to the British foreign Office but he de-
precated the assumption of possible
damage to British interests and said
he was sure that his government had
no intention of acquiring commercial
monopolies.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Lloyd
Georges speech which aroused such an
ger in Germany was delivered the same
night after consultation with Sir Edward
Grey and Premier Asquith.
Its purport was that where British in
terests are affected, we must not be
treated as If we were Of no account. II
the time ever comes when this cannot be
said We shall have ceased to exist-at
any rate as a great power" was Sir Ed
ward Grey's comment.
Four days later Count Wolff Meter
mich presented to Sir Edward Grey a
:. communication complaining of Mr.. Lloyd
Georges speech.
1t was exceedingly stiff in tone" said
Sir Edward Grey, land felt it necessa-
:. ~ to say that the fact that it created
4 surprise in Germany was in itself JUS
tiication for the speech"
81 felt the tone of the communication
= made 1t inconsistent with our dignity TO
give any explanations of the speech
On July 81 came break in the clouds
Count Wolff Matternich presented note
full of good will. hoping that Sir Ed
ward Grey would find an opportunity Of
reassuring the public in regard to Ger
many's intentions, acknowledging tn
British foreign secretary's desire for
Franco-German agreement, reiteratini
that British interests would not be touch
ed and pointing out how Great Britain
could forward a settlement by calming
the public opinion Of France,