Germans Deny Naval Agreement.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 10, 1913:
Such an Idea "Utopian," Says the Cologne Gazette, Discussing von Tirpitz's Speech.
FLEET RATIO TEMPORARY
But It May Prove a Basis for a Broad Understanding with England, Admits the Semi-official Organ.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
    BERLIN, Feb. 9.— In commenting on the statement of Admiral von Tirpitz, the German Naval Secretary, concerning the naval policy of the empire, the press of Germany generally agree that while the statement deserves to be noted with satisfaction as a sign of better relations with England, it does not afford any basis for far-reaching inferences.
    Regarding the opinion expressed in some quarters that von Tirpitz's statement denotes the imminence of a naval agreement with Great Britain, the semiofficial Cologne Gazette says that it was remote from the mind of the Naval Secretary to announce "a naval agreement" and that it was utterly false to construe his remarks as indicating "either anything new or any deviation in German naval policy."
    This semi-official organ deprecates the discussion of anything so "Utopian" as an agreement which, "for reasons still to be advanced, would only contain the germs of grave difficulties and conflict."
    The communique continues:
    "It must be recalled that Mr. Churchill spoke of a sixteen to ten proportion between the two fleets on March 18, 1912, and pronounced it to be acceptable for the next few years and for the dreadnought class. Admiral von Tirpitz identifies himself with the declaration of his English colleagues in that he also thinks this proportion acceptable for the next few years.
    "At one time much was said in Germany of a proportion of two to three, which is about the same as one of ten to sixteen. The underlying idea of von Tirpitz's statements was none other than that such a proportion would do justice to the requirements of British naval power, while Germany at the same time would possess such strength as to make an attack on us a risk which an antagonist would consider twice before undertaking."
    The Cologne Gazette concludes:
    "There will be occasion later to discuss the difficulties of an agreement. For the present it can only be said that the mutual naming of a ten to sixteen proportion is practical and temporary. Adherence to it in accordance with the declarations which have taken place on both sides creates a basis on which an amicable understanding on all other possible problems can be attained."