Ottoman Diplomats

Synopsis

Seïfeddin Bey reports about Britain’s policy towards Belgium. Britain acknowledged the Congo as a Belgian colony. In his report, he refers to the speech pronounced by Sidney Grant, president of the Board of State, at Ghent’s World Fair. The speech was echoed by the British press, that spoke well of the Anglo-Belgian friendship. They evoked historical memories, and emphasised the important role of commerce and industry in the relations between both countries. Seïfeddin Bey quotes part of a newspaper article from The Times. The Belgian public opinion and the government seemed very moved by these manifestations. The Belgian public opinion inclined towards the countries of the Triple Entente (except for Russia), and had less sympathy for Germany. Seïfeddin Bey notes that Germany seemed to increasingly exert an influence on Holland. According to him, a political alliance between Holland and Belgium was needed in order to be able to defend both countries in case of an international conflict, but such an alliance was hindered by their incompatible politics.

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