PAN-GERMANISM

Hokitika Guardian, 14 April 1917, Page 2

PAN-GERMANISM

Plans for African Colonies Preparing for iho Future [KEUTER’S SERVICE.—COPYRIGHT.J London, Ap?il 12 The Time* publish -s a i article emphasising that Germany’.; colonial ambitiros aro by no inruns dead. It cites numerous reccut German responsible journals, illu-tnnicg that the idea of a grea r colonial empire in Africa is firmly roted in (ho German mind and that the whole German colonial movement now eab.-cr.bes to the doctrine.

The article qvoted Professor Delbruck’s statement, tnat the German world-policy in reality is nothing but a colonial policy, canceivtd on large lines, end Doctor Sosf, in the Colonial Ca endar for 1917, says : “Tbs history of our colonies in this wor.d war has shown what we lack and has shown that ou»:s was not a proper empire but merely a number cf possessions wiihout geograpbicil cr political connection or established communications. There experiences Ehow what direction our aims must take. Our colonial political aim in the future must be regarded in connection with a'l the other aims which we are determined to attain by a world war. The “ Times ’’article quotes articles by Emil Zimmerman, the colonial publicist, from the “ Prcuw cbe Jobr* bucher,” forecasting that 50 years g hcnca the Germans will be in posses- I ftiou if Csntr 1 Africa, aud when great cities have grown np on Likes Chad and Tanganyika and on the Congo it will be possible for the German commercial traveller to be ordered to take the Congo express to Wilhelmsladfc, which willtheu be the name of Stanley- i viile in September, and to have hia I goods delivered in December. The journey from aud to the Congo will take seven daye. Zimmerman in a previous article had explained that a German Africa would make Germany a world Power, enabling her to exert a decisive influence upon the world, the political designs of our enemies, and other Powers, and to exercise pressure in shaping the policy in Africa, Asia Minor and Southern Europe. Moreover, a German Africa will bind the Allies immediately in Abyssinia and in Mohammedan and restrict their freedom of movement. This will make the employment of black troops against our Earopeau frontiers impos- 4 sible.

The “ Times," commenting on these statements, shows that this is not an isolated view, but is fully endorsed by the whole school of German colonial thinkers. At tho present moment, they assume that German Africa m the fntare will oonsist of at least the old German colonies, the wholo of the Belgian Cocgo, the whole of French Equatorial Africa, and will contain adequate garrisons and munition factories with naval bases at Dar is-Saaiem, the mouth of the Cameio r .ns Ejtuary, the mouth of t/he Coago, the coast of Angola and the coHit cf South-West A f riea. The “Times" enlarges upon the dangers to ihe British Empire if Germany wero able to carry out her ideals. Fortifications of half the west coast of Africa, would mean that as soon as wp, were in a new war, the Suez Canal would be closed against England by the Turks and all traffic ’ between, England, ludia, Australia, and South Africa must go rouud the Capa and pass the coast of German Central Africa necessitating the Eoglish stationing a considerable fleer in South Africa, end weakening hgr forces in European waters. The “ Times ” adds that such utterances may seem extravagant, but so did the writings of Barnhardi and others before the war. Meanwhile, the eilence of the German Colonial Office does not mean that it, is idle even if it is tabulating and pigeon-holing.

Battle of Gaza. London, April 11 The battle of Gaza was the result of a heavy Turkish attack on onr outer mounted screen covering the railway building. The British accepted action, severely chastising the Turks, -though . they did not attempt to advance An advance does not conform with British plaus at present. South American NationsVancouver April 11 A message from Mexico City states that General Carranza has sent an announcement to Ecuador and Columbia accepting the proposal for a meeting in Monte Video of the South American nations to decide on a common policy with the object of bringing the war to an end. German SocialistsLondon, April 12 Herr Soheidemann and other German Socialists have gone to Stockholm to get in touch with Russian Socialists. Secret meetings of German and Russian Socialists have already been held. Bulgar Revolt. Paris, April 13 General Sarraiil’s aviators dropped a proclamation among Bulgarian troops, notifying a papular military revolt in Bulgaria against the Ger* mans,