Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-07-28
premier ASQU1H
WARNS GERMANY
u1rERANcEs OF BRITISH MINIS.
TER OF UNUSUAL TONE AND
CRISIS IyfEARED.
aALFouR, LEADER OF THE
OPPOSITION, FOR HARMONY
Aid PLEDGED to France in Case Of War
Morocco Situation Reaches Alarm
ina staa-LIoyd's War Risk Rates
Are Advanced Several Points-Situ-
alton Mons Hopeful To-day.

London, July 2s.-The most pessim-
istic views regarding the acuteness OF
the Moroccan crisis were confirmed by
Premier Asquith in the house of COM
mons late yesterday. when he read
from a manuscript a warning to Ger
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
drm than Mr.. Asquith's.
Alarming reports were circulated IN
unofficial places. At Lloyds war risks
against hostilities between Great Brit
ain and Germany within three months
rose from to per cent. In some
cases even 10 per cent was paid
Against the risk Of war between France
and Germany IL per cent was quoted.
The prime minister's statement was
couched in diplomatic. tho not reasur-
ing, language. At the opening he said:
"It Is obvious that the Moroccan
question has reached a point at which
it will become increasingly difficult,
embarrassing. and anxious unless So
luton is found"
Later he said:
I'VE thought 1t right from the begin
ninr to make It clear that. failing of
settlement such as 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 AIxectras, as 1t might be our obli-
cation under the terms OF our agree
ment OF 1904 with France. It might
he our duty I'm defense OF British IN
terests directly affected by further de-
velopments."
A,auits, Appeals 70 House.
Mr.. Asquith appealed to the house
not to ask him to enter into further de-
tails at the present moment. as a too
close analysis Of the causes Of the pres
ent incident might provoke recrimina-
ton. which it was desirable to avoid.
The question Of Morocco, the premier
declared, bristled with difficulties.
The statements that the British gov
ernment had pre5udiced the negotla-
tions between France and Germany
were mischievous inventions. he said.
The government did not claim a pre-
dominant position in Morocco, but II
would have been grave mistake TO let
the situation drift until the asserting OF
its interests might have caused sur
prise or resentment. The government
had thought 1t right to make clear
these interests. Failing a settlement,
the government must become an active
party In discussing the situation.
1aifour Talks Of Harmony.
Mr.. Balfour, the Unionist leader. fol-
lowed. The careful and guarded state
ment of the premier. he said, required
little or nothing from him in the way
Of comment and nothing whatever In
the way Of criticism.
'Tf there were any critics outside
the walls of the house who had count
ed our differences and absorption in
home disputes and who had counted
on those differences he said, Il hope
they will make easy policy which, in
other circumstances, this country
might reject. And If there were any
who supposed we would be wiped off
the map Of Europe because we had our
own difficulties at home, it might ( :.
worth while saying that they mistook
the temper of the British. people and
the patriotism Of the opposition
whether drawn from one side of the
house or the other"
Mr.. Balfour strongly 1inted 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 1t was so absorb
ing to the country that the people
would not pay attention to foraign af-
fairs.
Uttorancos Of Unusual Tone.
Such plain speaking on a question
frought with possibilities of q great
European war has not been heard in
tbs British parliament in many years.
The outcome of the situation appears
to rest almost wholly on Germany's
shoulders. II, as some German papers
sav. Germany has reached tho stage
of national development where the nee
essities Of her population demand she
branch out into foreign fields, and con-
siders this vital to her national inter-
ests, and imposes conditions on France
which Great Britain thinks threaten
her vital interests, the only result, so
far as those best informed see it, will
be the oft threatened and long averted
European convulsion.
Germany government officials and
the majority Of the German newspa-
pers profess to think Chancellor Lloyd
Georges recent speech Of warning was
not addressed to Germany. but a sort
Of general proclamation Of principles
Mr.. Asquith's statement leaves no
doubt, and was intended plainly to
leave none. on that point.
While the country has no knowledge
Of the extent Of Ger1nany's first con-
ditions. the prime minister made it
plain they were such that Great Brit
ain would not consent to them.