DERNBURG RESIGNS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 837, 8 June 1910, Page 5

DERNBURG RESIGNS.

OWING TO TAX ON THE DIAMOND COMPANIES, A REMARKABLE CAREER, By Tcleerajjh—Press Association—Copyrteht Berlin, June 6. The German Minister for the Colonies, Herr Dern'burg, has resigned owing to the. Reichstag's derision to compel .the diamond companies in South-West Africa to contribute towards tlie cost of quelling tho Herrerbs. CAUSES OF DOWNFALL. RE-GROUPING OP PARTIES IN THE REICHSTAG. (Rec. June 7, 10.15 p.m.) London, June 7. The Berlin correspondent of "The Times" says that since the fall-of Prince Buelow (formerly German Chancellor) and the renewal of the alliance between the Conservatives and the Catholic Centre (which has replaced the former Bloc as tlio dominant power in the Reichstag), Herr Dembnrg has been compelled to fight against increasing odds. Agrarian Opposition. The Conservatives are necessarily opposed to a primarily commercial colonial policy.. Among other reasons for this, is their fear of imposts that will hurt the interests. The Conservatives, moreover, include a number of former colonial administrators who resent the reversal of the former policy. Secondly, the Centre party, owing to the circumstances of Herr Dernburg's appointment and his successful election campaign in 1907, arc his natural enemies. Finally, regarding the all-important question of tho relations between the Conservatives and the non-Socialist parties of the Left, tho resignation is a fresh victory of agrarian over industrial interests, and tends to widen tho-gulf exhibited by the collapse of the Prussian Franchise Bill.

A Ministerial Experiment. Herr Bernburg's resignation (adds the correspondent) marks tho eiid of the most remarkable Ministerial experiment in modern German history. It illustrates the deep divisions ii) economic interests and social traditions underlying the country's politics. "The Times," commenting, says that the outlook is serious • for the Conservatives at the next election. The Centre will be safe if they continue to' hold their own against the Socialists; but the other parties of order will be called to account, because they have helped to render office untenable for able and energetic representatives of the best type of German business men. OFF TO THE EAST. : (Rec. June 7, 11.10 p.m.) Berlin, June 7. Herr Dernburg is starting on a tour cf Japan and the Far East.. FRAMER OF GERMANY'S 1 COLONIAL POLICY. Herr Doruburg, ex-banker, who is only 41 years of age, hau made a great reputation in tho financial and industrial world before beiiifc chosen by the Kaiser as the. main support of his empiremakmg policy. Herr Dernburg is tho author of a great scheme for the development of Herman Africa; and this idea, backed by his financial reputation, certainly had it great , deal to do with the success of the Kaiser's expansion policy; at tho last German election's. On fiiat occasion the forces of tho German Socialists rccoived a check which has stimulated them to fresh effort.

Herr Dcrnburg has twice toured Geron *h e occasion visiting British South Africa. His not infrequent speeches on Anglo-German relations have been pacifist in character, the dominating note being peaceful commercial rivalry. The discovery of diamonds in German South-West Africa was considered to have given him- an opportunity to materialise his colonising iaeals. According to to-day's news it has' been the immediate cause of his resignation. On his return from his South African trip last year, a lecture- given by Herr Dernbnrg was attended by the 'luiiser himself. The Colonial Minister expressed thanks to the British Colonial Office and the Government and people of Cape Colony for their friendly attitude towards himself during his tour. 'Ho also referred to the military co-opera-tion between the German and British colonial authorities in the suppression of native disturbances, and expressed a hopo that this co-operation would bo developed in the future. He farther dwelt upon the causes of native hostility, the labour "problem, and the sparse population of a region as large as the German Empire. '

During a debate in the Reichstag last April Herr Erzberger proposed to raise ,£'1,000,000 to meet the cost of suppression of risings in So'nth-West Africa by taxing persons and companies in the colony worth more than £15,000. Herr Demburg,.Secretary of State for the Colonies,' characterised the Bill as sheer confiscation and said ; it would kill what poor little interest was taken in the colonies.