Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1936 GERMANY’S LOST COLONIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 29 January 1936, Page 4

Nelson Evening Mail WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1936 GERMANY’S LOST COLONIES

RECENT speeches of German political leaders indicate clearly that though the German Government possesses no colonies, il has a colonial policy. What that policy is, has not been disclosed; but something of its nature may perhaps be gleaned from the following extracts front speeches made by the political leaders, to whom reference has been made. On the 18th inst., Dr. Goebbels, German Minister of Propaganda, made some remarks which included the following passages: “We are beggars. We have no colonies and no raw materials. . . Germany is learning a lesson from the situation, namely that a nation without jsower cannot preserve peace, and that we cannot rely on the League.” The speech also contained the assertion that “Others don’t need the colonies they have taken from us.” The word “others” includes Japan, Great Britain, Belgium, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. On the 27th inst, Herr Hitler, speaking to Nazi students, demanded Germany’s right to possess colonies, and he added, “Colonies are acquired by right of might. Europe needs raw materials and colonies. The white race's heroic conception of life destines it to rule.” When that declaration is considered in connection with Dr. Goebbels' assertion that, “The time will coma when Germany will demand her •’jinnies hack,” it will be realised that there may be a possibility of trouble between Germany and the countries v. inch took possession of her colonies during ilie Great War. Had Germany remained in the League of Nations, she •would have been able to place her case for the return of her colonies before the nations of the world in a very strong

manner. As niiitLei's stand, any appeal j which she might make to the League, in j llie matter which is under consideration, would probably be received coldly. It is evident that the German Government has a colonial policy, and that its object is to obtain possession of colonies, even if in the process it is brought into conflict with other Governments. Japan has clearly stated that in no case will she

relinquish possession of those groups oi | islands —the Marshall, Caroline, and Ladrone Islands—which she took possession of, during the Great War. Australia and New Zealand took possession of certain German islands, adjacent to their northern coasts, and though technically they hold them under mandate from the League, to all intents and purposes they have incorporated them in their respective territories. The position of the colonies which Great Britain took from Germany is, however, somewhat different. There is no likelihood ot South Africa relinquishing possession of the captured territory which was German South-West Africa, but it is possible that the British Government might he willing to return Tanganyika, which British and South African troops took from Germany, and which to-day is held j by Great Britain under the League s , mandate. That probably was the ternlory which the German political leaders had in mind, when they spoke as they did. Yet it would seem that they are in no position to act in the direction which.they indicated. In the first place, Germany’s resignation from the League makes it difficult for her to frame a case for presentation to that body, in relation to her lost colonies. As for the possibility of applying force for the purpose of regaining possession of the overseas territories which were taken from her, she does not possess the necessary naval strength. Probably her Government is relying upon the possible willingness o the British Government to consider her (ase for the return of captured African territory, to which reference has been made. In no case is the British Government likely to attempt to barter away the Pacific islands which Australia and New Zealand acquired from the Germans by force of arms, when they fol lowed Great Britain into t'lie war of 1914-18. There remains the possibility that the German Government may approach the League for the return of the colonies which it lost. But it would be difficult for the Germans to present thencase to that august body which they have flouted by resigning from it. The fact is that the German Government has acted in so clumsy a manner that it would be hard to formulate a convincing case for presentation to the League.