ABOUT THE ENEMY

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17877, 24 August 1918, Page 9

ABOUT THE ENEMY

GERMAN COLONIES. DR SOLF'S DECLARATION. a. and N.K. Cable Association and Keuter. AMSTERDAM. August 21. Dr Solf, tho German Colonial Secretary, addressing the German Society, jarred fc« Mr Balfour's speech. AiUr

denying that Germany did not .intend to restore Belgium as an independent State, he said that a consciousness was spreading amongst the German working classes that the retention of the colonies was a vital question of Germany's honour. Ho denied that Brittain could govern the colonies better than Germany, and proceeded to claim that Germany was the only Powel which had adopted demilitarisation in Africa. As to Germany's war ; ainw, neither in the Pacific nor m Africa did Germany wish to pursue an aggreesivflpolicy. . • . "We desire." Br Solf continued, "to compromise with regard to colonial questions on the basis that colonial .possessions shall correspond to the economic strength of European nations and to.the merits which they have shown in the matter of protec tion of. coloured races entrusted to their care. The States which endeavoured before the war to respect humanity and the coloured races have won a moral right to be colonial powers. This right Germany had won before the war." Dr Solf concluded by urging that an endeavour should be made to cultivate more confidence in Germany. All the belligerents should be awakened to a realisation of their common tasks, namely, the prevention of future wars, in insuring the efficacy of international agreements, the safety of non-com-batants and the sparing of neutral States in future wars, and the 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 the death.. But I am convinced that the people's better feelings will against such an intolerant spirit." Referring to the, Brest Litovsk negotiations, Dr Solf said that these were undertaken with Russia's agreement Germany felt bound during the transition period to protect the border peoples, but recognised the principle of self-determination when th e time wab ripe and the people ready to assume control. / . He added that Germany s colonial policy in Africa and the Pacific was not aggressive. ■ ■■■«-" , (A cablegram received from London on August 9 said:—Mr Balfour, replying to protests against the Government's alleged failure to respond to peace feelers and declare its views on the League of Nations, said that he was unable to see anything in the actions, statements or writings of tho German Government, politicians or publicists affording tho slightest hope that peace discussions would bo fruitful now. An almost, impassable abyss separated theEntente and the Central Powers unless the war represented a changing; of heart in Germany, or a complete W< tente victory proved to Germany, fch" failure of her policy. Every sign indicated that Germany's aim was univf* sal domination There was small bop* that Germany would be a r*»eerul member of a League of Nations until such ideas were eradicated. The only way of eradicating them was to show that they could not succeed.)