Last Saturday in the Reichstag Herr von Bethmann Hollweg spoke
on both home and foreign affairs. On the subject of Anglo-German relations he said (we quote from the Times) :— " We find ourselves at one with England in the desire to avoid rivalries in respect of armaments. But throughout the pourparlers —informal and conducted in a spirit of mutual friendliness—that have taken place from time to time we have always put in the foreground the idea that it is an open and frank discussion, followed by agreement concerning the economic and political interests on both sides, that is the surest means of removing mis- trust of any kind in respect of the comparative strength of the two Powers by sea or by land. In itself the continuance of a frank and voluntary exchange of views on all those questions which are connected with these matters is a guarantee of friendly intent on either side, and should lead slowly but surely to the removal of the mistrust which has, unhappily, often made itsolf felt—not, indeed, on the part of the Governments, but in the public opinion of the two countries."
