ttitude during the debate of November 27, 1911, at Westminster. Sir
Edward Grey then stated that we had consistently helped on, and not
impeded, the Franco-German negotiations. Never had we played the
dog-in-the-manger to Germany. In fact, the Berlin Government would
greatly have eased the tension if she had declared earlier that she did
not intend to take part of Morocco. Further, the Entente with France
(made public on November 24) contained no secret articles; nor were
there any in any compact made by the British Government. On December 6,
Mr. Asquith declared that we had no secret engagement with any Power
obliging us to take up arms. "We do not desire to stand in the light of
any Power which wants to find its place in the sun. The first of British
interests is, as it always has been, the peace of the world; and to its
attainment British diplomacy and policy will be directed." The German
Chancellor, Bethmann-Hollweg, also said in the Reichstag, "We also,
sirs, sincerely desire to live in peace and friendship with England"--an
announcement received with complete silence. Some applause greeted his
statement that he would welcome any definite proof that England desired
friendlier relations with Germany.

Thus ended the year 1911. Frenchmen were sore at discovering that the
Entente entailed no obligation on our part to help them by force of
arms[536]; and Germans, far from rejoicing at their easy acquisition of
a new colony, harboured resentment against both the Western Powers.
Britons had been aroused from party strifes and Labour quarrels by
finding new proofs of the savage enmity with which Junkers, Colonials,
and Pan-Germans regarded them; and the problem was--Should England seek
to regain Germany's friendship, meanwhile remaining aloof from close
connections with France and Russia; or should she recognise that her
uncertain attitude possessed all the disadvantages and few of the
advantages of a definite alliance?

[Footnote 536: Hanotaux, _La Politique de l'Equilibre,_ p. 419.]

Early in 1912 light was thrown on the situation, and the Berlin
Government thenceforth could not plead ignorance as to our intentions;
for efforts, both public and private, were made to improve Anglo-German
relations. Mr. Churchill advocated a friendly understanding in naval
affairs. Lord Haldane also visited Berlin on an official invitation. He
declared to that Government that "we would in no circumstances be a
party to any sort of aggre