ABOUT THE ENEMY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16299, 24 August 1918, Page 9

ABOUT THE ENEMY.

GERMANY'S LOST COLONIES. (By Cable.—Prt»3 Association.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (l(euter'« TolegTama.) AMSTERDAM, August 21. Dr. Solf, the Gorman Colonial Socre* tcry, addressing tho German Society, referred to Air Balfour's speech. Alter denying that Germany did not intend to restoro Belgium as an independent State, he said that a consciousness was spreading amongst the German work- J ing clottit.'s that tho retention of the colonies was a vital question of Germany's honour. Ho denied that Brittaiu could govern the colonies hotter than Germany, and proceeded to claim that Germany was the only Power which had adopted demilitarisation in Africa. As to Germany's war aims, neither in tho Pacific nor in Africa did Germany wish to pursuo on aggressive policy. "We desire," Dr. Solf continued*, "to compromise with regard to colonial questions on tho basis that colonial possessions shall correspond to tho economic strength of European nations and to tho merits which they liavo shown in tho matter of tho protection of the coloured races entrusted to their care. The States which endeavoured before tho war to respect humanity and tho coloured races havo won a moral right to be colonial powers. This right Germany had won before tho war." Dr. Solf concluded by urging that an endeavour should be made to cultivate more confidence in Germany. All tho belligerents should bo awakened to a realisation of cheir common tasks, namely, the prevention of future wars, ensuring the efficacy of international agreements, the safety of non-com-batants, the sparing o*f neutral States in future wars, and tho protection of national minorities. Dr. Solf continued: "If I believed the tone of Mr Balfour's speech represented what would ultimately predominate in England, I would urge war to tho death. But I am convinced that tho people's better feelings will revolt against :uch an intolerant spirit." He added that Germnny's colonial policy in Africa and tho Pacific was not aggiessive.

A cable mersnge roceived from London on August Bth stated: Mr Balfour, replying to protests agninst the Government's alleged failure to respond to peace feelers and declare its views on the League of Nations, said that he was itnable to see anything in tho actions, Etatemonts, or writings of the Gormen Government, politicians, or publicists affording the slightest hope that peace discussions would bo fruitful now. An almost impassable abyss separated the Entente and the Central Powers Tinless the war resulted in changing tho heart of Germany, or a complete Entente victory proved to Germany the failure of her policy. Every sign indicated that Germany's aim was universal domination. There was small hope that Germany would bo a peaceful member of a League of Nations until such ideas wore eradicated. The only way of eradicating them was to show that they could not succeed.