The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-12-02
CLEARING THE STATS.

complication over Morocco and her in
PREVENTION therein, and which had been
looked forward to with such intense
interest not unminglcd with consider
able nervousness both at home AMI
abroad, Sir Edward Grey, Foreign
Secretary. seems to have acquitted
himself to the satisfaction of all con-
ccrned. Not only did he re establish him
self in the confidence of his own party
by which, in a sense. he had been ar
Taigned, but he elected assurance Of
the confidence of the opposition More
over. We are told that the continental
powers, including Germany herself, are
content
II is pity there was any occasion
Tor the speech. 1t is regre,table that
the matter did not rest with Chan
ccllor Won Bethmann- II ollwcg's dcclar-
alton In the Reichstag that in the Mo-
rocoan controversy a settlement had
been reached equally honorabl to both
Germany and France, and the way had
rcen opened to Clear the slate" cf
Misunderstanding and differences
with great Britain. And there it
would have rested but for the i'll
timed supplementary explanation of
the over-zealous, somewhat excited
and often indiscreet German Foreign
Secretary, Herr Won 1Iiderlcn- Waechtcr.
who sought to appease German senti-
mcnt against the largely Imaginary
'humiliating terms" the Kaiser was
constrained to accept, by indicating
the sword was rafting at Great
Britain-rattled because of British
interference, which was challenged by
Germany After Herr Won kiderlen-
Waechter's statement. involving US 1t
did a charge that Sir Edward had
brought his own country to the verge
OF war and then recedcd. not with
entire credit, there was no recourse
for the British Foreign Secretary. but
the making of an open breast of II.
But this apart; the point Is that it IS
hardly to be questioned there is n
."clcar slate" now.
In the circumstances and situation
Sir Edward could not have said less
and 1t is well perhaps that he did not
say more. His speech wns calm clear
cut straightforward, and had the
ring OF honest self -conviction that his
policy was justified, which could not
hut carry conviction 10 others While
ne uttered not word incompattble
with what was due the dignity and the
prestige and the rights OF Great
mitted. nay, even boldly proclaimed,
British friendship for France, and the
influence OF community OF CONNER
cial and territorial interests between
the two nations in debating his course.
he was not only exceedingly con-
ciliatory ,teW:2rds Germany. but cour-
teous to tho German Foreign Minis
ter. who had raised an Issue of per
sonal veracity with him.
Sir Edward made no secret OF
British partnership with France "a
regards certain spheres In Africa hut
he rendered It absolutely clear that
such partnership was not for assailInr
Germany in tho lattcr's legitimate
sphere OF expression, which he fully
recognized, and PROPOSED to recogni2.
in the future. That his explanation
ana oustitcation have put Germany on
the defensive, and relaxed the tension.
and give promise OF establishing much
more friendly Anglo-German relations
than have existed for years. REQUIRES
no greater proof than is presented IN
the fact sc cahled from Berlin, that their
"concilist tory tone is cordially re-
echoed In the government circles or
Germany. And moro important ana
encouraging still. tho promise indt.
Gated Is not only the affair Of Ger
many and Great Britain, but that nf
all Europe as bearing on the problem
OF keeping the peace OF Europc and
preserving the international cnni,i-
brium.
Under provocation to be rescntfnl,
indeed incorporate. Sir Edward wbiIc
rigidly regardful of ard safeguardint,
ms own sclf-rcspect and that Of tho
British nation on every point, held out
the olive branch TO Germany. Nor ran
II be doubted that the solid common
sense and the patriotic desire 10 sub
serve the best interests of the I1atb.r-
land, which animatcs the majority ~
the German masses. viii move these
TO accept the token and reciproc.t.
the spirit in which IT was offered.
---=-------=------=--
THE HON. BARitEn's nECoLLirc-
TIONS.
Those who know the Hon. Wharton
Barker best are the less; disposed t,
treat as accurate his memories OF ,
seven-year-old conversation with q,
undisclosed acquaintance. Yet. sivins
the least POSSIBLE weight to Mr. Bar
ker's reeollections. the facts rc,naif
nndenied and nOdenIz III. ,h,, 49,,