On Tuesday the confidential speech made by Herr von Kiderlen-Waechter
on Friday week before the Budget Com- mittee of the Reichstag was officially published in Berlin. Herr von Kiderlen-Waechter said that an announcement (July 1st) as to the dispatch of the 'Panther' to Agadir was in the hands of the British Government before the arrival of the ship. The reason for sending the ' Panther' was that German subjects were menaced by natives, and though there was no thought of complaining to France about her expedition to Fez it seemed doubtful whether the status quo of 1906 could be restored by France. Germany bad no designs on Moroccan territory. It was not till July 21st that the British Foreign Office made any communication to Germany on the subject. Then Sir Edward Grey asked for an interview with the German Ambassador in London. Sir Edward Grey said that no one knew what Germany wanted at Agadir, and that he was at a loss to know bow to answer questions in Parliament. As France could not accept the German demands the failure of the negotiations might bring into prominence a further question as between Great Britain and Germany. Great Britain must. take np a definite position if the ' Panther' remained at Agadir, and he had asked for the interview solely to prevent such an acute situation being reached. The German Ambas- sador said that if any British interests were threatened Sir Edward Grey ought to name them.
Previous page
