The Press. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1885.

Press, Volume XLI, Issue 6055, 11 February 1885, Page 2

The Press. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1885.

The summary of the German White Book on New Guinea which was telegraphed the other day cannot be said to be pleasant reading for colonists. The impression produced is that the English Government has received a very decided snub at the hands of the German Chancellor. In order to understand the position it is necessary to remember that the New Guinea question has been the subject of discussion between England and her colonies long before the date named in the telegrams. In 1882 the Royal Colonial Institute called the attention of Lord Gbanville to the- proposals of the German Press for the colonisation of New Guinea. The matter was referred to the Colonial Office, and the official reply was to the effect that n the proposal that a portion of New Guinea should be annexed by Great Britain is one which her Majesty's Government are not prepared to eatertain," and that "his lordship has no reason for supposing that the German Government contemplate any scheme of colonisation in the direction indicated" by the German newspapers. Again, in his despatch refusing to recognise the annexation by Queensland Ijerd Dbbbt writes," The apprehension entertained by Australia that some foreign power was about to establish itself on the shores of Now Guinea appears to have been altogether indefinite and unfounded, and tiw inquiries which have been made by Her Majesty's Government have given them the strongest reasons for believing that no such step has been contemplated," Again, in the House of Commons in August, 1883, in reply to an inquiry if it was to be inferred from the language of the Prime Minister that other Governments had given an assurance that they would not annex New Guinea, the reply was," X do not think I had better go into any further details. When I said we had no reason to apprehend any intentionon the part of any foreign Government to make new territorial claims, the I evidence was by no means of a negative > character." A similar tone pervades the i whole of the correspondence down till quite a recent date. In May, 1884, in is despatch Lord Dibby eaid "Her M»jesty*e Government are confident that

no foreign power contemplates interference with New Guinea."

Wβ now come to en important point in the history of the negociationa. Iα October last a German newspaper made a statement to the effect that " the British Government in refraining from

annexing the whole of New Guinea had acted in accordance with an agreement arrived at between Germany, France, and England." The statement was referred to in the House of Commons, and the reply of the Hon. Evkltk Ashley was as follows:—"Aβ to the question of an understanding with Garmany as to her occupation of the Northern part of the island, the answer is in the negative. ,. The telegrams which we published the other day famish an explanation of the origin of the German newspaper report, and explain how it came about that the Hen. Evelyn Ashley considered he was justified in asserting in the House that no understanding had been arrived at with Germany regarding the Northern coast of the island. It appears from the White Book just issued that two months before the date we have spoken of Prince Bismabck intimated to England that Germany would protest against; the northern portion of New Guinea being annexed by Great Britain. In consequence, Earl Geakyillb informed the German Chancellor that the limit of British annexation weuld be only the southern coast. Iβ- the meantime Australian pressure was being felt, the plans of the Government were changed, and Prince Bismasck was informed that it had been determined to protect all unoccupied territory, except a small piece at the north of the island. But as Prince Bismabck naturally adhered to his original objection, it was decided to revert to the first proposal, and confine the annexation to the Southern Coast It will thus be seen that

the action of England with reference to New Guinea was practically guided by the wishes of Germany. Instead of making up their minds definitely as to the policy they should adopt, the Government allowed themselves to be tossed abont almost helplessly by the conflicting pro* tests of Germany on the one hand and the colouiea on the other. The result is that neither the one nor the other ie satisfied. The colonies specially interested ia New Guinea maintain that they have been deceived, and on the other hand Germany looks upon England's latest action as something like a breach of faith on the part of the latter. The misunderstanding has arisen over German annexation of Northern New Guinea. When, in obedience to Prince Bismarck's remonstrance, the English protectorate was at first limited to the southern shores, the German Chancellor regarded the step as an implied assurance that German annexation in the north would not conflict with English interests. This certainly appears to be a very natural inference to draw. If Germany had no intention of occupying that coast, and had no interests {here, her protests against England's intended action should have had no weight whatever. By deciding, at Bismaeck's request* to confine the protectorate to the other side of the island, the English Government virtually sanctioned German schemes with regard to the north. Eatl Geanville appears, however, to have thought otherwise. He protested against the steps which had been taken with reference to North New Gninea, bat

'SSSSZ&tmraa '- tna promisee " made in October. The answer of Enl GranVILI.E was another protest, and an intimation th&t England had extended .her protectorate ac far as the Haon Gulf. Some farther communications followed, bat no agreement has been arrived at, and at present the telegrams inform us there ie" a deadlock."

The only conclusion which can be drawn from a study of the above correspondence is that the English Government have got into a difficulty both with the ooloniea themselves and with Germany, simply because they had not the courage to act with promptitude. When the question of .annexation was raised in the first instance, all the material was within their reach to arrive at a definite conclusion regarding it. The views of colonists were well known. No international difficulty stood in the way of annexing the whole of the eastern half of the island had Ministers made np their minds to do so. But they started off by refusing to do anything whatever. They allowed the agitation to reach such a pitch in the colonies that the attention of continental statesmen was directed to the whole question. When they were at hut forced to do something, they discovered that they had to deal with Germany as well as the colonies. The result was that they found themselves hampered at every turn. They have not been able to Comply with the legitimate demands of the colonies, and at the last moment, when the mischief is done, they take a step which cannot fail to irritate Germany without conciliating any one eke.