GERMAN COLONIES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10087, 28 September 1918, Page 7

GERMAN COLONIES

A REMARKABLE DECLARATION BY BRITISH COLONIAL 1 SECRETARY. Australian and N.Z. Cable "iaeoctaUon. LONDON, September 26. Mr W. H. Long, Colonial Secretary, speaking at a dinner to the press delegates, made a remarkable declaration regarding the German colonies. ' He said: "We are told we did not enter the war for an extension of territory. This is absolutelv true. We are told that these territories must be returned to Germany. lam here to-night to say this: If these territories are returned to Germany the sacrifice of our heroes will be made in vain, and I say the spirits of those men will come from their graves to rebuke us if after the sword has done its splendid work the pen is so cowardly as to give back what the sword has won. 'Vho Germans regard the Pacific Islands as bases for wireless, aeroplanes and submarines. If allowed to return to the position she occupied before the war the peace of the world will be threatened. We must make Germany understand that she has overstepped the bounds." POPE'S REPLYTO"PEACE NOTE Aua. and N.Z. Cable A»sn. and H«ntcr. ROME, September 26. The Pope's reply to the Austrian Peace Note is a simple declaration of neutrality.