The Dominion. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1915. GERMANY'S AIMS IN THE NEAR EAST

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2509, 12 October 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 1915. GERMANY'S AIMS IN THE NEAR EAST

The latest developments in the Balkans afford fresh evidence of the fact that this war is resolving itself more and move unmistakably into a life-and-death struggle between Germany and the British Empire. To the Germans, Britain is the chief enemy." Their supreme hatred is reserved for us, and they aro hoping and longing for an opportunity olstriking a vital blow at our Empire. The present Austro-German attack on Serbia is something muchvastel than a mere punitive expedition, A cablegram which appeared in yesterday's issue states that it is the inauguration of a gigantic scheme of Teutonic aggrandisement-. Its immediate object is, of course, to prevent the collapse of Turkey and to bar the progress of the Allied troops in Gallipoli. But that_ is not the whole story. Germany is also thinking of gaining a controlling influence in Asia Minor and Egypt, and has even fixed her envious eyes on India. The now Balkan campaign has brought the war a step nearer Australia and New Zealand. Germany does not care the snap of a finger for the wel j fare of Turkey or Bulgaria; They are merely pawns-in the game, and the victory of the Central Powers . would mean .German domination

from tho North Sea to Asia Minor. From the German point of view the Balkan PeninJsula is merely regarded as a corridor between Germany and tho Near and Far East. A triumphant Germany would have no seruplcs about shattering the Bulgarian King's ambitious hopes of establishing a great Empire. 'Nothing is more certain than that both Turkey and Bulgaria would become vassal States under tho overlordship of tho Kaiser. However, Ferdinand now seems to have committed himself irrevocably to the policy of all or nothing, and in the long run he will find that he 'has ovcrrcached himself and got nothing. Ho will be lucky if he succeeds in saving his crown.

The new situation which' has Wn created will probably compel Grecce to take decisive action at an early date. M. Venizelos recently pointed out that if Grecce should allow Serbia to be crushed to-day there wa'uld be no security whatever that the Austro-German armies would stop short in front of Greece's Macedonian frontiers. They would almost certainly come down as a matter of courso as far as Salonika. Indeed, nothing but superior force would prevent still further advances. It is all an integral part of a far-n/aching plan of conquest directed ultimately against our own Empire. Germany is fighting for a means to strike us in the East. An article in a recent issue of the Berliner. Tagcllatt touched on this Jihase of the situation in the following significant passage:—

'Wife road to the Near East, which was completely barred by the Balkan war, can ;bo opened- before us', after the defeat of the Russian armies, if wo and also others know how to utilise, with prudent determination, the opportunity of the moment. The formation of a safe road of communication to Constantinople is for us, at present in time of war, and in the future 111 time; of peace, such a necessity that everything mast he ventured to attain this end.

The writer of 'the article proceeds to point but that a- friendly Bulgaria would be useful for the purpose of establishing ja, free, road for Gertnany to Constantinople which would give her "a now opening for both bellicose and peaceful'action," and of enabling Gorman energy to "aohicvo its long-designed ana natural aim and its success in international politics." To secure these objects has been the aim of German diplomacy for many years. Communication with_the Bosphorus would be merely one instalment of the scheme. From the Bosphorus German-control-led railways would run to various parts of Asia Minor and through Mesopotamia to the Persian Gulf. India would be the nex't objective. It is impossible to overestimate the greatness of the interests we have at stake in this war. We are realising more keenly every day that wc must smash Germany 91' be smashed. The developments now taking place in the Balkans emphasise this fact. The decision of Tsar Ferdinand has given a new turn to the course of events. The situation is beset with difficulties and uncertainties. The world is wondering what Greece will do and how long Rumania will halt between two opinions. Meanwhile Britain and her Allies must still further increase their efforts.