DREAMS OF COLONIAL EMPIRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3053, 14 April 1917, Page 10

DREAMS OF COLONIAL EMPIRE

GERMAN BRAINS STILL ACTIVE " Q: AFRICA THE AIM (Rec.; April 13, 8.10 p.miT- "'■■ . ; London, April 12. : j The "Times" publishes an article emphasising the fact that German colonial ambitions are byiioineans dead. The article cites numerous recent instances of responsible' German journals illustrating the idea that a;great colonial empire hi' Africa is.firmly rooted in tho, Gorman mind, and that "the whole. German (jolohial movement now subscribes to that doctrine; The writer quotes Professor Delbruck's statement that the German world:policy is in reality nothing-but a colonial policy, conceived on large lines. ■". . '

eVDr. Solf, in the Colonial "Kalender" For 1917, says: "Tho history of our solonies in. this world war has shown what we lack. It has shown that ours was'nota nroper Empire, but. merely a number or possessions without, geographical* or political connection or established communications. These experiences show- what direction our future: aims 1 - must take. Our colonial and political aim for the future must be regardetfm connection with all other aims which we are determined to attain by this world war." .

' The writer also quotes' articles from ; Dr. Emil Zimmerman (German colonial publicist), from tho "Preussesche Johr ■• Buchei - ," forecasting that fifty years hence the Germans will be in posses-' sion of Central Africa; "... and when great 'cities have prpwn up. by i Lakes Chad and Tanganyika and along the Congo, it will be possible for the German commercial. traveller to be ordered to take the Congo express to - Wilhelmstadt—which will then be the; name of Stanley September, and have his goods delivered in. December. The journey from and to the Congo will take seven days." Dr. Zimmerman; in a previous article, had oxplained that Gorman Africa "would make. Germany a world Power ; enabling her to exert a decisive influence ■upon the world, the political decisions of our enemies and. other Powers, and exercise pressure in.shaping the policy in Africa, Asia Minor, and! Southern 'Europe. -"Moreover," he says,- "i German Africa mil afford us a freedom of movement.,that will: make the employment of black troops against our European frontiers impossible."'- ■.-':"■ The _ "Times," commenting on the ; foregoing, says: "These opinions show ■ ■that this is not an isolated view, but is ''fully endorsed by the whole school of German colonial thinkers. .-At. the present moment they'assume that German Africa in the future -will consist of at. C least the old German . colonies, the whole of' Belgian. Congo, the -whole of French Equatorial Africa, and contain adequate: garrisons,: and munition factories, with naval bases at Dar-es-c'Salem, the Camerdons, the esiuary, the , mouth of the,Congo,.,the coast of Anl gola, and the./ .coast, 'of. ' South-west Africa." '

i.The "Times'' enlarges-upon the dangers to the British Empire if Germany is'able.to carry out her ideals. ' ■ "The fortification of half the- West Coast of Africa would mean that as soon as in «,' new war the Suez Canal is closed! against> England by the Turks, all traffic 'between England, India, JAus-. tralia, and South Africa must go. round the' Cape, and pass the coast of, the German Central.African sphere, necessitating England stationing'a considerable fleet in South Africa and weakening her.forces in' European waters. . .. . Such utterances seem extravagant. So did the writings of General von Bernhardi and others before the ■war. MeanwTiilo the silence of the Ger.inan Colonial Office does not mean that it is idle: ,It.is tabulating''and pigeonholing its plans."—Renter. '■;'...-