The papers during the past week have contained a great
many references to what is declared to be a movement on the part of Germany towards an entente with France. If rumour speaks true, the German Emperor has expressed his willingness to give France a free hand in Morocco, or at any rate to throw no obstacles in the way of those special powers and privilege which were accorded to bet at the Algeciras Conference. Certain writers in the French Press have spoken as if such an entente between France and Germany would be regarded with suspicion here. We can assure the French people that nothing is further frem the truth. Our determination to stand by France makes us glad, not annoyed, when France improves her relations with other Powers. In the same way, rumours of an improved understanding between the United States and Germany have been spoken of as inimical to Britain. Again nothing is further from the truth. We have not the slightest desire to see anything but friendly relations between the two States named, nor do we consider that to show friendliness towards Germany can by any means be to show unfriendliness to us. Foreign critics who are inclined to think otherwise should remember the cause of the special ties which now bind us to France. These had their origin in the summer before the Algeciras Conference. The German Government and the German Press at that time endeavoured to represent France as having exhibited a hostile spirit to Germany, almost justifying war, because she had entered into a friendly agreement with Britain. We trust that Germany has learnt to abandon this strange creed. The British people, a.t any rate, have never entertained it, and do not consider that to make friends with Germany is an unfriendly act towards Britain.
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