A USEFUL OBJECT LESSON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 81, 3 April 1908, Page 4

A USEFUL OBJECT LESSON.

Little as we may sympathise with Germany's Imperial and commercial ambitions, we can hardly fail to appreciate the assiduous industry and the skill with which she endeavours to carry them into effect. A few days ago we drew attention to the predominance of German influence in Turkish politics, and the

extent to which the Sultan has subordinated his policy to the interests of the Kaiser. To-day our cables furnish the interesting intelligence that ninety leading merchants and manufacturers have started from Berlin on a tour through the Balkans, Turkey, and Asia Minor, to find openings for trade. It is almost impossible to conceive a similar body of representative British financiers and commercial men embarking on such an enterprise. They would think it unbusinesslike or undignified, and if they took the risk of such a step themselves they would certainly not be able to depend upon Imperial countenance of aid. But they do these things differently in Germany; and it is because the German concession-hunters, who have so actively exploited Eastern Europe and Asia, know that they have the goodwill of the Kaiser and the weight of the "mailed fist" be_ind them that German commerce and finance, and German diplomatic influence play so large a part in the public affairs of the Near East and the Far East to-day. i

Within the last few months, keen anxiety has been aroused in European diplomatic circles by Germany's interference in certain railway schemes which have been designed to open up the Balkan States, and bring them into communication with the markets of the outer world. Germany has been careful to exercise pressure only in an indirect way, but it has been made clear 'that the Kaiser does not intend to allow Austria or Russia or any other Power to get the lion's share of any material advantage that can be secured from the exploitation of Turkey. Quite apart from Germany's interest in the reorganisation of the Turkish army and the control of Turkish railways and Turkish finance, she is seriously concerned for the prospects of Turkey's Asiatic possessions. An immense amount of German capital has been invested in Asia Minor, largely ■ with a view to the developments that were expected to follow the construction of the Baghdad railway. But not only does Germany find it impossible at present to raise the capital required for this great project, but the kilometric guarantee which the Kaiser extorted from the Sultan _» cp iusavy- that it- will be ex-

obligations to Germany after the line is built. A remarkable instance of German financial ingenufty ajid boldness was the recent modification of Turkish Customs duties -which' gave to the Sultan a large addition in revenue that was promptly set aside to satisfy German demands in the matter of the Baghdad railway. If once the railway is built and remains under German control it will confirm the commercial supremacy which the Kaiser's emissaries are now striving hard to establish ia the Near and the Middle East. And in the meantime, while Germany is straining every nerve to secure the ground she has gained, and to extend her operations, English capital is neglecting Tarkey and Asia Minor, Turkish railways built by English companies are falling into German hands; and the chief reason given for the comparative apathy of our commercial and financial magnates is that "they believe they will not receive the same backing from their Government that their competitors obtain from theirs."