GERMANS IN AUSTRALIA.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15486, 13 January 1916, Page 10

GERMANS IN AUSTRALIA.

HERR IRMER'S VIEWS. A REMARKABLE BOOK. MELBOURNE. January 3. Interesting extracts Tvere read in the Federal House by the Minister for Defence (Senator Pearco) from a review of a book rei-ently published in Germany by Herr George Inner, formerly Con-sul-General for Germany in Australia, a few months alter the outbreak of the war, under the title of "The Aivakening of the People in the Pacific Ocean." Tlie book was reviewed by i; Dcr Han Kurier," of September 30th. The author of the book gives the German colonists in Australia credit for the development of Australian industries, in the fii'st rank of which lie places the brewing of beer. Many villages which he visited, he declared, contained only one inhabitant who could speak English, and he writes in glowing tenns of these Gorman colonists gathering round to greet him as the official representative of the "Old Homeland." They would send greetings to the Emperor, and after he (Herr Irmer) had left them lie could hear them singing in the distance "Deutsehland TJber Alios." At the same time, the author regrets that some of tlie Germans in Australia are becoming Anglicised, even neglecting to teach their children the German language.

"In 1880," the writer goes on. "the German colonial policy commenced, and a generation ago the prospects of an extended South Seas policy were favourable. Xo one ti'oubled himself then about the ncglected corners of the Pacilic Ocean. If Germany had gone to war with Spain over the Caroline Islands she would have taken possession of the valuable Philippines, but the old Emperor decided on a peaceful adjustment for the sake of the monarchy. The situation since then lias completely changed, and expulsion front the Pacific, which Germany has suffered, is threatening Great Britain also. The Australian colonies have ripened into the socialistic States of the future, and are working strenuously towards the severance of the last steel link which binds them to the Motherland. It was not on account of England that she rendered military assistance, but because they wanted New Guinea and Samoa," "That extraordinary statement." interjected Senator Pearfce, "confirms the German view, previously published that Germany firmly believed, at the beginning of. the war, that the various Dominions would proclaim their indeocmlence. It is not unlikely that' the author of the book advised his Government of his opinion." . conclusion. .Herr Irmer declares his ideas in the following terms :—"lniury has made Germany wise. Her future colonial policy will be. different from what it has been. We require fresh lands lor those for whom their native land has become too restricted—new couutnes over which the Imperial Eagle will float. Plantations and trading stations arc_ lost pojts; colonised couutries can defend themselves. The PTeat j organisation of our Cojpnial Office, which still remains. i s in truth svmbolicnl, for the quiet i.a this office is onlv ihe deep, breathing before renewed ex-' ertions; and after the vietorv -we wiiJ bind the helmet on fighter."