The German and French papers are greatly interested in Mr.
Chamberlain's speeches. The German editors accept his suggestion of an understanding between their country and Great Britain without dislike, but wait for more definite offers, and seem to suspect the speaker of wishing something or fearing something that he has not revealed. England, says the National Zeitung, is never very ready for alliances, at least "as far as an alliance imposes obligations and does not merely justify demands." In short, Germany wishes to know what she is to get. The French Press, on the other hand, sees veiled threats in the speeches, and expects to find France opposed in all directions. Mr. Chamberlain, says the Liberte, is the "living incarnation of the Greater Britain.. Even the grave papers treat the speeches as a source of uneasi- ness, and proof of British ambition. One journal, however, suggests that as France is compelled to choose between three
courses, closer alliance with Russia, alliance with Germany, and alliance with England, it might be wise to choose the last. On the whole, the effect of the speech has been to make Continental critics admit very clearly the great position which this country now occupies in the general diplomacy of the world.
Previous page
