THE GERMAN COLONIES

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 251, 11 July 1918, Page 6

THE GERMAN COLONIES

Sir,—ln discussing the future of Samoa, I have been called a pacifist. I supposo wo are all lovers of peace, but 1 Jiave taken care to show that I deeiro an honourable peace, and not a peace at any price, i have been challenged with'asking for righteous dealings in international affairs, and that I acknowledge. It is suggested that I simply want the Inst word, but I have no thought of being ablo to eay the last word on 6uch a great question. I have just read letters you have printed from J. W. Robinson, Henry Walton, Thos. H. Gcllmen, and others. And though i agree ffith much thnt they eay as to Germany being a masterful, criminal and not to l)e trusted, when they persist in the old-fashioned idea of .retaining territory wo have taken possession of, when fighting stops, and suggest that such action is likely to make lor peace, they touch my chief point of difference with them. 1 have stated it in neveral ways, 60 that there was little call for me to write to-day except to remind them of fresh evidence in your paper, which they cannot ignore. A wealthy New Zealander, a shrewd man of business, an old, Imperial .officer, ,not given to hasty speech, .Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, K.C.8., who is in the midst of the fighting to-day, you quote as saying "We must definitely and honestly apply the principle of 'love thy neighbour as thyself to every social problem." I believe we ehall conquer, and find a way to restrain Germany's criminal tendencies, but I think it'is sound statesmanship that we should do so n Russell and President Wilson suggest on principles that we are willing should be. applied to ourselves. That is, based on a code of law which the League of Nations is working to define, and which I feel sure will give new territory to no country by right of conquest.—l am, etc. WILLB. MATHESON. Eketahuna, July 8. ■ —'—" '""" " "~