GERMAN COLONIES.

Evening Star, Issue 19330, 17 August 1926, Page 6

GERMAN COLONIES.

Ix is not surprising to learn by cable that Germans have been inaugurating a colonial propaganda week. The only question which might be asked is whether it is worth whilo to inaugurate 'a special week for propaganda which goes on all the year. The Germans made comparatively little attempt to develop thoir colonics, except for military purposes, when they had them, hub those who cried earlier for a larger place in the sun for the Fatherland have found in its redistribution of their country’s colonial possessions their greatest grievance against the Treaty of Versailles. An ex-colonial Governor, Dr Seitz, has been declaring that, with sixty million inhabitants, Germany must have room to expand, and is firmly resolved to realise her colonial ideals. We shall hear more of this claim, no doubt, when she can press it officially in the League of Nations. Another ex-German Governor, Dr Schnee, formerly of German East Africa,, which has now become the British mandate territory of Tanganyika, makes the most of the case in a book which was published a lew weeks ago entitled ‘German Colonisation, Past and Future.’ Since his book was published Dr Sehnce has been concerned to take exception to a statement of i\lr Ainery, British Colonial Minister, that tho British mandate for Tanganyika is in no souse a temporary tenure or lease from the League of Nations. Britain holds the territory, Mr Amcry explained, under an obligation to the League, requiring that certain rules of conduct shall bo observed in its administration, but sbe also holds it in her own right under the Treaty of Versailles. Tlio position was further elucidated in reply to questions in the House of Commons. Sir Austen Chamberlain quoted tho Covenant of the League to show that what arc known as A mandates provide for tho rendering of advice and assistance by a mandatory until such time as the communities in question are able to stand alone. In the case of other mandates (such as Tanganyika) no limit is sot to the period for which they are he'd. Mr Lockcr-Lampson, Undcr-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, stated on another occasion that as soon as Germany is admitted to the. League of Nations she will become a possible candidate for colonial mandates. Asked if it was the view of the Government that the present mandates should necessarily be held in perpetuity, he replied: “That is another question.” The German contention, maintained by the Colonial Association of Reichstag members, which is, however, something less than an official body, has been that they are all transferable and terminable at the League’s discretion, and that a redistribution of them is essential, in which Germany, once she is admitted to tho League, must be given her share. That course is not likely to be judged practicable. British money has been invested in the development of Tanganyika, tho flow of which would he abruptly checked if there .was any prospect of the! territory being returned

to Gorman hands, and a like disadvantage would bo made for other mandate countries, by whatever Powers they are administered,' if uncertainty should be felt regarding their future control. Nevertheless, the German need of colonics to absorb the surplus of a population which is not increasing now at any rapid rate, but may do so again with the return of prosperity, as it did before the war, malms a problem to bo faced by the nations of Europe. A like need in the case of Italy, which adds each year half a million to its population, is even more acute.