We hope that the exchanges of opinion with Germany may
always be friendly, but we trust that the British Government will guard itself against the possibility of making a fixed association with German foreign policy the basis of an under- standing about armaments. That would simply be to move in the German orbit in foreign affairs. The Chancellor next stated that Germany approved of Russian action in Northern Persia, on the understanding that no obstacles should be put in the way of German trade, and that facilities should be given for trade coming by way of Baghdad and Khanikin. The passages dealing with Great Britain and Russia were read by the Chancellor, and it was understood that they had been submitted to the British and Russian Foreign Offices in order that the sense of private diplomatic negotiations might not be distorted.
