A TIMELY INTIMATION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2987, 26 January 1917, Page 4

A TIMELY INTIMATION

Mr. Massev is quoted to-day as stating that he intends, when the War Council meets in March, to fight hard against the return of Samoa to Germany. It is a determination in,which ho will undoubtedly have the peopTo of New Zea: frmd at his back. In this country and in Australia, it is very clearly understood that it would be a foolish, if not suicidal, policy to permit Germany to reaccupy the Pacific colonies which she developed very largely as strategic bases, with an eye to ultimate attack upon neighbouring territories. Similar considerations apply to the other Gorman dependencies which have been conquered by British or Allied troops, notably the Gorman colonies in Africa. New Zealand, like the other Dominions of the Empire, must) be prepared to regard, the question of the disposal of the German" colonies from the Imperial point of View, and k> loyally abide by the majority decision of the Imperial representatives who aio to assemble in London in March.' That decision of necessity will be influenced by Britain's obligations and undertakings to her Allies. But while the Dominions will not expect to dictate a policy in regard to tbc disposal of tho German colonies, there are grounds for hoping that their desires will bo to a Jargc oxtent .met. It is not from a merely selfish "or local standpoint that the Dominions concerned "desire- that Germany should be finally custe/J from the military outposts which she established in Africa and the Pacific. The issue at stake is of Imperial scope and concerns tho whole Empire.. No doubt it will be considered from that standpoint by tho British as well as the Dominion representatives at the impending War Council, and it should be quite possible, in sympathetic concert with tho Allies, to resolve the destinies of the former German colonies in a fashion that will adequately safeguard British Imperial interests.