SECURING OF COLONIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 13

SECURING OF COLONIES

THE REAL REASONS

LECTURER ON NATIONS'

INSINCERITY

LONDON, February 2.

Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, a son of the former American President, delivering the Watson lecture at London University, vigorously commented on the current topic of colonies, declaring that it was customary for America to explain her former open-door policy towards immigrants as an altruistic desire to give haven to the oppressed, while Britain pleaded the urge to take up the white man's burden to explain her acquisition of colonies.

Both statements were insincere. Britain seized colonies for material gain. America permitted free immigration because industrialists saw that the inflow of cheap labour would increase their profits, but they were unaware that such'immigration was to create endless future problems.

Colonies, in many instances, were a continuous loss or a doubtful economic asset. Italy spent 1,300,000,000 lire more in controlling colonies in the 1913-32 period than she received in gross trade- during 40 years. The German record was a similar story. It was much the same for. France and Japan. Britain's record was much better, largely owing to the Dominions trade.