In Germany, likewise, the Anglo-Turkish agreement was favorably received. The _Berliner Tageblatt_ of December 29, 1913, hailed it as a triumph of German diplomacy. “For years,” it said, “this undertaking has threatened to become a bone of contention between Russia, England, and Germany. The German Government has now, through its cleverness and tenacity, succeeded in removing all differences and in bringing the line altogether into German possession.” In the Reichstag, as well, the general tenor of the comments was favorable, although Herr Bassermann and other National Liberals were somewhat vociferous about the great “sacrifices” which Germany had made to propitiate Great Britain. Among the Social Democrats and the Centrists, however, the sentiment was obviously in accord with one member who said, “We share the general satisfaction at this _rapprochement_, which is an aid to world peace, but we also are of the opinion that there is no occasion for over-exuberance or patriotic bombast.”[27] As usual, the rôle of the Turks themselves was slighted. A casual observer might have remarked that whatever “benevolent acquiescence” was included in the settlement originated in Constantinople rather than in London, and that the “sacrifices” involved were much more painful to Turkey than to Germany! BRITISH IMPERIAL INTERESTS ARE FURTHER SAFEGUARDED In the Speech from the Throne, February 10, 1914, King George V informed Parliament that the Near Eastern question was approaching a solution. “My relations with foreign Powers continue to be friendly,” he said. “I am happy to say that my negotiations, both with the German Government and the Ottoman Government as regards matters of importance to the commercial and industrial interests of this country in Mesopotamia are rapidly approaching a satisfactory issue.” Nothing was said to indicate the character of the negotiations or to identify the “commercial and industrial interests” which were the objects of royal solicitude.