THE GERMAN COLONIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 162, 3 April 1919, Page 5

THE GERMAN COLONIES

HER CILESS EXPLOITATION. A defence of tin Xonconfomii.-t conscience crops up in an unexpected quarter in "German Colonies," a booklet in which Sir Hugh Clifford, Governor of the Gold Coast, makes u plea for the native races. Sir Hugh declares his belief that tins Nonconformist conscience has played a groat and noble part in English history, and maintained n wholesome influence by teaching the British nation to examine its conscience in the light of certain stern precepts of morality. Especially he ieeogniscs its valuo in championing the cause of the under-do;;. Kir Hugh argues that in Gorman colonisation there are features that should rouse the love of fair play which the Nonconformist conscience expresses. "Where pity, chivalry, mid decency failed, as they failed in Belgium, hi restrain Germans from the commission of the worst excesses, how, tliink yon, did it fare in Ihe seclusion of Ihn African bus-h with defenceless negroes iind who wore not oven wliilo lulk like tlie more recent, victims of German cruelty, brntnlily, and lust?" Germany's colonial system waa a military despotism, a "merciless exploitation' supported by ov.ei'whe.lminif force." The conclusion left by Sir Hush Clifford's informative book is Hint without a radical change of heart Germany cannot be trusted with colonies.—"Christian World."