German Colonies' Futu e

Levin Daily Chronicle, 26 April 1917, Page 3

German Colonies' Futu e

CAPE NEWSPAPER'S OPINION. '' (London Times Correspondent.) , Thei Cape 'flimes, discussing • the' ©mission of any direct reference in the Allies' reply to Mr. Wilson to the lost German colonies, says:— A potestial settlement in this connexion might be held to be covered either by the reference to "just compensations," which- iat this stage could not be detailed, or by the allusion to the unspecified territorial agreements or international arrangements framed to guarantee land and sea frontiers ■against unjust attack. The suggestion conveyed in the telegraphed summaries of &>me Bititishl Press opinions that the omission of reference to Germany's former- colonies is intended to demonstrate Great 'Britain's disinterestedness and self-efface-ment is bluntly described as something "very like unctuous balderdash." - The Cape Times insists that the Dominions will only consent to a restoration of colonies to Germany, and then very reluctantly, if the war situation when the peace negotiations are opened leaves practically no alter-; native But this, adds the newspapers, is quite a 'different thing from saying or • hinting that, should the Allies achieve the oomplete victory they are confident of achieving, the lost, colonies are to be restored merely to demonstrate that Great Britain had no aequi= : tive .motives in,going to wai. Tlio of history are already clear on Shafc point, but the war having been thrust on the Empire, jt would be folly gratuitously to re-establish a' German menace of which the war has enabled us to get rid. '