HELIGOLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1031, 2 September 1871, Page 9

HELIGOLAND.

TO THE hDITOK

Su; — I collect from the: Kngli&h papers that some alaim has been raised by a report that Prussia had demanded of England the cession of Heligoland, on the ground that it constitutes a "standing menace" to Germany. The Pierlin papers have no doubt discussed the subject, nun. h to their own .satisfaction, and in a way no doubt to give the report a serious aspect. May not the influence which the "Battle of Doiking" has exercised over the public mind have had some effect in increasing, if not generating, the alarm ? I must, however, doubt w hether anything that can be construed into a demand has been made, that is, a demand, the refusal of which would constitute a rti\ns ln/fi. As between two friendly powers like Prussia and England, united as they are by the connection of the two crowns, such a demand at a moment of profound peace, without any circumstance likely to disturb that peace (the "Battle of Dorking" notwithstanding), would be against the common sentiments of Europe. it would be against international morality. The island was taken from the Danes in ISO 7, ?nd was confirmed to England by the treaty of Kiel in 1814, and had been used as a depot for British merchandise. It never has assumed the character of "a menace"; and in accordance with what I call the international sentiments of Europe, it will be time to demand it Avhen it is used as a menace.

If such a demand were made as to force upon a refusal the character of a coins h< Hi, 1 think that England, on grounds of public honour, is bound to refuse it in the most decided manner — though the result of that refusal be war (Battle of Dorking again notwithstanding). England has held Heligoland for 04 \ ears without complaint, indeed with the concurrence of Europe, and nothing has occurred to alter the conditions of her tenure. For Prussia therefore to demand its cession merely because its position makes it not at the moment a standing menace, but only capable of being made so at some future time, is simply wrong. " (Jive us that land because we should like to have it." AVould Bismarck, Hushed as he is with s\iecess, and perhaps a little blinded by Mattery, venture in the face of Europe to make such a demand '! I venture to think that he would not, for he might be sure that England would be bound in honour to say "no," and even that monosyllabic is scarcely curt enough for an answer.

On the other hand, I do not think the island possesses any real value to us, or to any one else. The people of the island are chiefly Low Germans, with a considerable mixture of Danes, and some English. If they should express a wish to incorporate with the Vatrrluiul, 1 can sec no good reason for preventing them. The island was retained as a place of depot, to defeat Buonaparte's anti-commercial decrees. That reason is at an end, I should therefore bay that it would not be unbecoming, or even unpatriotic, in an English statesman to to the people of the island -.. — v If you wish to unite with Germany, do so, and We i will see that you have fair terms. '" But this is [ a different thing from yielding to a demand — from yielding to compulsion. (Jive jou i reason, said FalstafT, on compulsion ! If reasons weie as plenty ,is blackberries, I would give no man a reason upon compulsion. The case of Heligoland is not like that of Gibraltar. In the hands of the Emperor of. j Germany the island would no more threaten England, or any other Power, than the coast of the mainland of G ermany now does. AYhereaa to cede Gibraltar to Spain would be tantamount i to ceding it to Spain aud France, in whose hands it would, or at least might, be used to threaten the whole trade of the Mediterranean in the hands of every European Power. All Europe feels that so long as England holds Gibraltar, and does not mind paying for the honour, the free trade of the Mediterranean is safe. Gibraltar, in fact, keeps the high road of the sea open to India, China, and Australia, and we cannot afford to shut it up ; and a country which was the iiist to establish fvuo. trade and free navigation w ith so much advantage to her— jlf, is not like]}- to use Gibraltar to establish ;1 restricted trade. We obey an international duty in holding Gibraltar, whereas, there is no such obligation upon us to hold Heligoland.

There is a sentiment in the matter which ought not to be disregarded. How would England like to see the Isle of Wight in the hands of a forou/n power . How would any man like to sou a policeman perpetually sta* tinned at hi& door, looking suspeetingly at every one who went out and in, and claiming a right to stop all visitors and put questions ':

1 cannot help thinking, therefore, that England might, without any detriment to English interest, cede Heligoland to the Emperor, provided there is not the least appearance of yielding to a demand, aud provided the consent of the native inhabitants is given to the arrangement. My object in writing' is to shew that there is not the least occasion for alarm. — I am, &c,