CENTRAL POWERS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVII, Issue 16618, 24 August 1918, Page 9

CENTRAL POWERS.

THE LOST COLONIES'. DR. SOLF'S POLICY. Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. AMSTERDAM, August 21. i Tho German Colonial Secretary, Dr. Solf, addressing tho German Society, referred to Mr Balfour's speech of August 8 in regard to peace feelera. i After denying that Germany did not intend to restore Belgium as an independent State, Dr. St/lf said that consciousness was spreading amongst the I German classes that the retention of the colonies was a vital .question ol Germany's honour. He denied that Britain could govern the colonies better than Germany and proceeded to claim that Germany was the only power which had adopted demilitarisation in Africa. "As to our war aims," ho said, "neither in tho Pacific nor in Africa does Germany wish to pursue an aggressive policy We desire 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 they have shown in the matter of protection of tho colonial races entrusted to their care. States which endeavoured before the war to respect the humanity of tho coloured races nave won a moral right to be colonial Powers. This right Germany had won before the war. He concluded by urging that an endeavour should be made to cultivate more confidence in Germany. All the belligerents should bo awakened to a realisation of their common tasks, namely, the prevention of future wars, insuring the efficacy of international agreements and the safety of non-com-batants, tho sparing of neutral states in future wars and the protection of national minorities . "If, "Dr Solf added, 'T believed the tone of Mr Balfour's speech represented what would ultimately predominate ir England I would urge war to the death; • but I■ am convinced that the people's belter foelings . will revolt nga'nst such an intolerant spirit." Referring - to. tho Brest Litovsk negotiations, he said that these were undertaken with Russia's' agreement. Germany felt bound during tne transition period to protect the border peoples, but would recogn : se the principle of self-'detormination when the time was ripe and tho people ready to assume control.