GERMAN COLONIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 243, 2 July 1918, Page 6

GERMAN COLONIES

Sir,—lt makes one sick to read stupid letters like the one published in your issue of to-day, signed "C. T." If Germany were to win the war, lioiv many of the British dependencies would be lefl to Britain? None. If the Allies treat Germany as she should bo treated, she will be stripped of Schleawig-UoWteiu, Alsace-Lorraine, Heligoland, and all her oversea colonies; and, in addition, rake away her Navy, and make her pay a huge indemnity. Thai is the only way to treat brutes iike the hideous Huns, who have treated Belgium and France with such hideousness and cruelty. "Do unto others as they would do unto you"—that is the true Christian spirit to show towards Germany.—l am, oic,, T. C.

Sir,—l ata, with many others of your readers, .simply astounded to see your correspondent "Will li. Matheson," in your issue of June 27, persisting, in spite of the logic of facts, in advocating the return to Germany of her lost l'acitio colonies. 1 venture to submit to him the hard fact that the main point at issue, he has entirely avoided—tho menace to us all in evenfiiof these places being used as submarine bases. He speaks very simply of a sclicme of international law—. meaning, 1 presume, measures of control by the group of Allied nations. I would ask him, in view of the assertions of Ihe leader.; of the German nation, anil their violation of every principle of justice and right—how aie we going to accept any promises which they, may make, or how make their signatures binding? Again, in view of the great strides which have been nmdo in submarine navigation during the past two years, I would ask him, how would it be possible for us to prevent submarines in any number being sent out? We have learnt by hitter experience, aud the loss of thousands of lives, that even our great Navy, with all its power, and giving it the highest praise for valour and great deeds, has been powerless to prevent this wholesale massacre and destruction on the high seas. What would our position be, with a hornet's nestnay, several—at our doors, alid on our trade'routes? AVith regard to his argument that to retain them would be engendering strife in the. future, or ill contradiction to the views of President Wilson, I submit that in this case absolute prevention is not only better than cure (which any sensible person will admit), but in this case is a necessity. The outcry of. the enemy for the possession of these points of vantage is proof enough that they are meant to be used in any and every way these worse, than pirates choose to d<>—to prepare, if they eo wish, for any acts of crime whenever opportunity occurs; and no league of nations could prevent it. We trust that our statesmen will mnke our position, so clear that tho American President may be brought to help us. The snd news r,f the Wimmera disaster only accentuates this—the barbarous use of mines could be vastly intensified, lou deserve all our thanks for your advocacy of safety against uncertainty.—l am, etc., ,T. W. ROBINSON.

Sir—Our friend Will. B. Matheson still liarps on (lie one-stringed instrument— and evidently wishes the leopard to go lit large—but I think the colonists are against such n course. Whui, «onlt! poor little New Zealaud do were Germany able to control the islands of the Pacific F Where would Will. Matheson hide his kindly-intentioncd head? See how Germany is treating tue Russians— who fell into her embrace. I ho)w Jfr. Matheson will drop the subject, otherwise soino people might liken him W thi old lady who simply wanted the last word—l am, etc., HENBY WALTON. Waikanae, June 2'J. Sir,—The continuance of tlio discussion on the above reminds im of the policy of "peaceful penetration." The inadvisabieness of the proposed sop to Germanism would be much moro appealing if people would recognise that the fight is not the Kaiser against the world, but Kaiseii'sm against the whole world. Under-thc-surface reasont-rs will readily see in. my remark a solecism for Ivaiserism is in a manner the whole world—that is, it infests it, as tho parasite infests the whole body of its host.The Kaiser could not sustain the tight against the whole world, and is not at-1 tempting it, as shown by his lyrics and panegyrics. Neither is any nation cf the Allied combination wholly opposed to him. Murder will out, and German abetting will show itself. Beware!—l am. etc., IIKNItY BODLEY.

Sir,—"C.T.," writing in your issue of 29th .Innp. pleads Unit. Germany should bo allowed lo retain l.er overseas possessions, saying: "We have no more right io keep Germany's colonies r.fter the war that she lias to keep the territories she has so cruelly overrun and conquered," "Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord; I will repay," ami finally -cl'ers In the chivalrous generosity marking I'resiclenl' Wilson's speech's. This attitude doubtless appeals to lie heart, which is sale to act only in a period pnvirmnn-j'il. Tin intel'iwncc is the. I'acnhy'given lo man in icinl him in ihis imperfect chaos of Uutuliis and tilings. Common sens.- <li>ma::<l* cf us '.lmt we must dispossess the criminal and cut-throat in our midst of his righrs. When he is nin lo earth would tli-:> authorities he j'isltfied in immediately releasing him because he had a glib tongue and ready promise not K- flay again? Would "t'.T." lei him a :oom in his own home; Should the town, Ilia city, I or country give him liberty in their I

midst, knowing iiira lo be a moral pervert, ever sneaking round, preparing, devising. and planning to crush, plundur. and slay? It is quite right for "C.T. to be generous fo tho ine who sins against himself personally, but it is hia duty lo use his best powers ami faculties in the protection of olha 1 :. lias not tho careless and lax dealing wilh tho German alien already been paid for :n tho blood of thousands of our women, children, and non-combatants? Truly "C.T." quotes "Vengeance is mine," etc.. Wo are now reaping that very vengcam-U' wrought by our prod ; gal neglcct. There is another* Divine iiijunclini, "iiend>r unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's.'' If we had paid a trifle more attention to this command, and our «litemporary phophets who hnvo not long departed, we might have saved the world tliifl present frightfuliiess. The German nation, as a nation, in its attitude toother: nations is a masterful criminal. It ia* 110 momentary passio i that marks the* present materialism of this tot. Read 1 . Prussian literature. This spirit was in. her youth, and will never depart on the* signing and flourish of a "scrap _ of paper." This international iriminal must be limited «nd confined if the nations are to protect themselves. Shall Germany return to her (?) colonies audi continue the outrages as in the past on; tho indigenous and rightful twners, and. build lip a menace io all neighbours?' If this is permitted we will deserve thai national extinction thereby threatened. What is the fundamental difference lwtween the Germm and the savage whose, land he has annexed? None! There, is tho difference in degree of intelligence only. Has "C.T." forgotten that (ho savage iias rights? Why not aive rhe sa.v« a place, while we purpose seenifj Belgium aiul Serbia righted? Humanity is doubtless "one," and if among ou,r own people we arj justified in keeping the doors closed on pur criminals ana deficien:.s then likewise we must, if w'o can, prevent the criminal nation having opportunity to continue destruction « the very basis of universal morality, progress, and liberty.—l am, etc., 1 TTOS. H. GILLMAN.

Sir,-In vour issue of June 29 I read 1 , a letter signed "C.T.," in which the' writer seeks to endorse tlui sentiment., expressed bv a former correspondent. (W - Matheson) re German colonies, with a single Bible quotation, viz.: \engcance is mine, saitb the Lord; I will repayHud -your correspondent deived a little further into Scripture he would have found at leant two oilier quotations befitting the present situation, namelv. "An eye for an eye, an ear'for an ear, and a tooth for a tooth;" also. "With whatsoever measure thou metest that also shall be measured unto thee." In conclusion I would suggest the old axiom, "Prevention is better than cure." Therefore cut oft' German means of_ attack through her lost colonies, especially in view of the brutal ami inhuman treatment of British prisoners,of war.—l am, etc SMITE THEM. HIP AND THIGH.