Haldane Mission facts for kids
The Haldane Mission in February 1912 was an attempt by Britain to make peace with Germany. They wanted to stop the dangerous competition of building more and more warships, known as the naval arms race.
British diplomat Richard Haldane, 1st Viscount Haldane hoped Germany would slow down its warship building. Germany, on the other hand, wanted Britain to promise to stay neutral if a war started. Business people from both countries first suggested these talks. Then, the British government and the German Emperor (Kaiser) with his advisors continued them. The talks failed because Germany insisted Britain promise not to join any country that started a war against Germany.
Why Britain and Germany Were Worried
By 1912, the biggest problem between Britain and Germany was Germany's fast-growing navy. Both countries felt their national pride was linked to their military strength. Britain relied heavily on its Royal Navy to protect its islands and the entire British Empire.
Britain decided it had to match Germany's rapid naval expansion. Germany's plan to build many warships was called the Tirpitz Plan. Britain felt it needed to build three major warships for every two Germany built. Also, Germany's actions, like during the 1911 Agadir Crisis, made Britain see Germany as a possible enemy. This led Britain to become closer to Germany's rivals, Russia and France.
However, the Liberal government in Britain wanted to spend money on social programs. Many members, like David Lloyd George, were against spending a lot on the army or navy. Yet, Winston Churchill, who was in charge of the navy, agreed with Prime Minister H. H. Asquith and Foreign Minister Edward Grey. They believed the only way was for Germany to slow down its naval building.
The Haldane Mission suggested Germany slow down or pause its warship building. In return, Britain would support Germany's plans for new colonies. Britain would also promise not to start an aggressive war against Germany.
The 1911 Agadir Crisis had been a big problem for Germany. It made Germany fear Britain would side with France in a war. France moved its main fleet to the Mediterranean Sea. Britain moved one fleet from the Mediterranean to the North Sea. This fleet would face Germany and protect France. Germany did not know about any secret agreements between Britain and France. But they feared the worst.
Germany's navy plan was using half of its defense budget. Even so, Britain still had a stronger navy. Germany's army was its main strength for wartime. People who supported the army wanted a bigger budget. But Germany had less money than Britain for taxes and borrowing. Also, the Social Democratic Party, which was against war, was the largest party. A big increase in defense spending was not possible politically. Germany needed a way to stop the expensive naval race. This would allow it to spend more on its army. Germany also hoped to keep Britain neutral in a war between Germany and France.
In January 1912, two important civilians got involved. They helped start talks between their governments. Ernest Cassel, a financier from London, was a close friend of Britain's King Edward VII. Albert Ballin, who ran the world's largest steamship company, was a personal friend of the Kaiser.
What Each Side Wanted
Sir Edward Grey, Winston Churchill, and Lloyd George prepared a document for the British government. Cassel took this document to Berlin on January 29, 1912. The Kaiser and his top officials saw it right away. The British proposals were:
- 1. Britain must have a stronger navy. Germany's current naval building should not increase. It should even slow down or be reduced if possible.
- 2. Britain truly does not want to stop Germany from expanding its colonies. Britain is ready to discuss Germany's colonial wishes. Britain would be happy to help Germany in this area.
- 3. Ideas for both countries to promise not to join aggressive plans against each other would be welcome.
The main goal for Britain was the first point. The other two were things Britain would give up. The first point talked about Germany's current naval budget. Britain did not know that Germany had already planned a new, much bigger naval budget. This new plan was called a "Novelle." The Germans gave Haldane a copy, which he took to the British government without reading.
The second point was a concession. Britain was ready to give parts of the old Portuguese Empire to Germany. However, Germany was not interested in new colonies. They would not bring much money. They would also force Germany to move its navy to defend new lands in Africa.
Germany focused on the third point. It really wanted Britain to stay neutral in a possible war. Admiral Alfred von Tirpitz had convinced many people to support a new expansion of the German Navy. He had just gotten the Kaiser's approval for his "Novelle." This was despite the civilian government, led by Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg, thinking it was too expensive. However, Germany's civilian government did not control military matters.
After reading the British proposals, Bethmann Hollweg and the Kaiser were willing to cut the naval expansion. They wanted to achieve Britain's neutrality. This was despite strong protests from Admiral Tirpitz. So, the Germans invited a senior British diplomat. Haldane was sent, arriving on February 7. This was just as the Kaiser was vaguely announcing the new naval budget that Tirpitz wanted.
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