THE GERMAN COLONIES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 17

THE GERMAN COLONIES.

GERMAN OPINION OF GENERAL SMUTS'S SPEECH. In the Reichstag, Herr Solf, referring to a speech by General Smuts on January 28, dealing with the German said it constituted an . official Bid* tish statement. " Germany has never allowed any doubt regarding the German; Government's and people's unanimous demand to get the colonies back. The colonial policy is a vital question for Germany, and not a luxury." General Smut* apparently wanted to destroy Germany as al colonial power, just as Mr JJoyd George wanted to destroy her as a Continental Power, and Sir E. Carson as an industrial Power. General Smuts no longer advanced his former humanitarian plea for consideration of the natives, but placea in the forefront the stark Imperfalistio standpoint tihat the security of the British Empire excluded the idea of the return of the colonies. In the Reichstag Herr Scheidemann declared that the fruits of the German ad« vance in Russia showed that the best method to get peace was not by negotiai tione, nor Reichstag resolutions, nor Papal Notes, but by an unbroken advance the German forces had brought about peace. Belgium must be held as a pawn against Britain's refusal to surrender the German colonies. ""Not the slightest consideration should be shown to Rumania, from whom a heavy indemnity must be exacted, with, army occupation until it was paid. Herr Scheidemann rebuked the Kaiser for saying that the victory of the German arms must be first recognised. He recalled previous recommendations from all parties for somewhat more reserve in that quarter, and declared that the great mass of Socialists energetically repudiated the Kaiser's views. Herr Erzberger said that if Germany ever deviated from last year's peace resolution it was only as a temporary political measure. JJr Solf, Secretary for the Colonies, declared in the Reichstag that General Smuts's East African policy was based on force, and this was not the peace spirit. He denounced the French and- British policy of raising native levies in Africa. Germany desired to neutralise all colonies, in the interests of the white race. Sha did not wish to militarise Africa, but was./ forced to follow in the steps of other

Powers. 1 It was true, he admitted, that the British public were increasingly demanding an international understanding regarding the colonies; but large masses of the British public followed General Smuts's views, which were undoubtedly those of the British Government, and Germany must shape her policy accordingly. SPEAKING FOR THE DOMINIONS. The Daily Mail declares that Germany must never be allowed to resume her colonial career. The dominions, after giving their best blood and treasure- to put an end to a Greater Germany, would feel unscrupulously sold if Downing Street even'considered the question. Statesmen capable of such criminal stupidity would be wholly incompetent to conduct the Empire's affairs, and any proposal to surrender the colonies Would go near to disrupting the Elmph'e.