THE DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 443, 8 December 1908, Page 4

THE DECLINE OF THE EMPIRE.

- ♦ A German Prophecy

Japan Gets New Zealand.

A pamphlet entitled “After the Storm —Reflections on the Decline of.the British Empire,” consisting of sixteen pages and costing tenpence, has had an enormous sale in Berlin lately. The contents of the pamphlet are supposed to be a lecture delivered at the International University of Alexandria in 19 11, in which the imaginary lecturer, Arabi Pasha, describes the events which led up to the complete destruction of the British Empire and the redistribution of territory of the world. The author of this panq h'et, which has attained so great a popularity in Germany, bases his prophecy on the supposition that at a critical moment the British Navy is unable to maintain the command of the North Sea, Owing to a combination of circumstances, the British naval forces in the North Sea' sustain a - crushing defeat at the bauds of the German High Sea Fleet, and twenty four hours later the first German army corps lands on the coast of England. The author proceeds: — “ The Anglo-French entente was uow powerless to restrain the German legion? which swept over France and England. After the crushing defeat of the British fleet in tbe North Sea, Russia’s promised support was not given to England and France, Japan revealed herself as an adept in applying the perfidious principles of British political methods. Ten days after the magnitude of the German victory in tbe North Sea was known at Tokyo, the Japanese had taken possession oi Hongkong. A terrible revolution broke out in India, and thousands of tbe English residents in that country were massacred. Order was not restored in India until the Russian Cossacks matched into the country, and were greeted by the inhabitants, as in tbe old days by the oppressed people of tbe Balkan Peninsula, as liberators. A massacre ot the Europeans in Egypt was only prevented by the landing of Italian troops. Six days later the United States of South Africa constituted themselves an independent republic, and almost simultaneously the Congress of the United Stales of America despatched troops to maintain order in Canada. The hour of liberation bad also come for Ireland. British officials were driven out of the country aud a republic proclaimed. This war, which was decided by a battle in the North Sea, only lasted for three weeks. Starvation compelled England to sue for peace. Victorious Germany showed a wise magnanimity in her condition. Apart from a war indemnity proportionate to the wealth of England and France, she contented herself with seizing all the African possessions of tbe two countries, with the exception ot the new independent republic in tbe south. Moreover, Germany did not retain this booty for herself, ■ but divided it with the other two Powers of the Triple Alliance! This war was the end of the British Empire. One defeat has been enough to prove to the whole world that the British Empire was based on the weakest foundation.’’

The author publishes a new map of the world to show the redistribution of territory in 1910. England, Scotland, and Wales are all that remain of the British Empire. Ireland is shown as an independent republic. France has lost all her possessions. The Russian empire includes in addition to its present territories in Europe, the whole of Asia with the exception of China, Siam, and the Malay Peninsula. Japan is shown as the possessor of all remaining parts of Asia, as well as of Australia and New Zealand. With the exception of the New independent Republic of South Africa, this continent is divided between Germany, Austria Hungary, and Italy. The United States of America have absorbed the whole of Canada and Venezuela. The Ottamau Empire, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, and the South American republics are shown as independent countries. The German author concludes by putting the following words into the mouth of the imaginary lecturer:

“ But the achievements of the great British nation have not been in vain. The memory of the British Empire will live in history for the instruction of other nations. France has in this year of 1911 sunk to the level of an international pleasure resort, but London will remain for ever and ever the venerable shrine at which historians will assemble to pay homage to the shades of a departed Power.”