The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-28
: etermined ID NJ aintain
Be- lar &c Of Power
in Europe.
MOROCCAN CRISIS
is V E Il Y SERIOUS
Prime Minister Makes Grave
Statement in Parliament, and
Leader of Opposition Is No
Less Firm-Most Pessi-
mistic Views Largely
Confirmed.


tic views regarding the acuteness of
the Moroccan crisis were largely con-
armed by the Prime Minister in the
House OF Commons to-day, when with
manner as impressive as his words
he read from manuscript. which had
been carefully prepared. a warning to
Germany that Great Britain proposed
to stand for what she considered her
rights and to maintain the balance of
power in Europe.
Further testimony as to the gravity
of the situation is given by the fact
that the Prime Minister obviously had
taken the leader of the opposition into
the governments confidence, and Mr.
Balfour's declaration was no less firm
than Mr.. Asquiths.
The Prime Minister'S statement was
couched in diplomatic. though not re-
assuring language. At the very open
ing he said:
1T is obvious that the Moroccan
question has reached point at which
1t Will become increasingly difficult
embarrassing and anxious. unless a
solution is found"
Later he said:
We thought It right from the be-
ginning to make clear that. failing Of
settlement such as have indicated.
we must become an active party in the
be our right as signatory TO the
treaty of Alseciras. as it might be our
obligation under the terms OF our
agreement of 1904 with France 1t
might be our duty. in defense OF Brit
ish interests directly affected by fur
Their Developments"
Support of Opposition.
In promising the support of the op-
position 10 the government. Mr.. Bal
four said:
If there are any who supposed that
We would be wiped off the map of Eu-
rope because of difficulties at home, 1t
may be worth while saying that they
utterly mistake the temper of the
British people and the patriotism Of
the opposition"
such plain speaking on a question
Iraught with possibilities Of a great
European war has not been heard in
the British Parliament in many years
The outcome OF the situation appears to
rest almost wholly on Germany's
shoulders. II. as some German papers
say. Germany has reached the stage of
national development. where the neces-
stiles of her population demand that
she branch out into foreign fields, and
considers this vital TO her national in
terests. and imposes conditions on
France which Great Britain thinks
threaten her vital interests the only
result. so far as those best informed
see 1t. will be the oftthreatened and
long -averted European CONFUSION.
German government officials and the
majority of German newspapers pro-
Tess to think that Chancellor Lloyd
Georges recent speech OF warning was
not addressed TO Germany, but sort
OF general proclamation of principles
Mr. Asquith's statement leaves no
An,th IT,
leave none on that point. While the
country has no knowledge OF the ex-
tent of Germanys> first conditions, the
Prime Minister made 1t plain that they
we're such that Great Britain would
not consent to them.
General Feeling.
Mr.. Balfour strongly limited at what
is the general feeling, that Germany
thought she could take advantage of
the crisis in Great Britain's domestic
politics, in the belief that Ii was so
absorbing to the country that the peo-
pie would not pay attention to foreign
affairs.
English newspapers are entirely
united in supporting the government.
They strongly urge that Germany
shall not be permitted to make any
African excursion, which would Sc
verely threaten Great Britain's ma
tional interests. The politicians and
the public earnestly hope that Ger
many's program Is not one which
Great Britain will consider impossible
Optimism Manifested.
Paris, July 27.-The. British Prime
Minister'S statement in the House of
Commons to-day is greeted here with
the greatest satisfaction. Optimism
is beginning to manifest itself, and
he i,Shf
of confidence that the deadlock be-
tween France and Germany over Mo-
rocco will he broken and a settle
ment acceptable to all parties reached
Premier CaillauX conferred tonight
with NJ. lie Selves. minister of foreign
affairs. and afterwards with the min
listers of war, marine, public works
and finance. but the conferences We're
conducted in calm. judicial manner
Later NJ. CaillauX said that prudence
and cool heads were more than ever
necessary to all parties
I'VE must not lose sight of the fact"
said the Premier. " hat two great ma
tions can and must negotiate and ar
range their differences"
France expects that II way Will be
found for a peaceful solution. To this
end she Is prepared to go to the limits
of conciliation. but carfnot agree either
to evacuate Morocco or band over huge
blocks of African territory merely in
returne for Germanys reiterated as
surance that France will not be both
cred in the future in Morocco.
The international peace advocates
point out that the real danger of the
situation rests in the nations Offend
ing Germany's pride by driving her
into corner from which she might
strike in anger
The Matin to-day devotes an article
to what 1t styles ''the German
(ConfInnad or, Sanond raa -.