MENACE TO PACIFIC.

Taihape Daily Times, 20 December 1917, Page 3

MENACE TO PACIFIC.

USE OF GERMAN COLONIES. ATTACK ON AUSTRLIA. London, Nov 28. Lecturing at King’s College, Mr J. E. Mackenzie, who was formerly the “Times” correspondent at Berlin, said that the part Australia is playingin the war has increased the wreckage of Germany’s colonial hopes, but there will be grave danger if Germany is permitted to remain in East Africa, even with pledges that sf.c will not arm the natives. He quoted the following recent statement by Herr Zimmerman: —“The chief opponent of German expansion in t-he Pacific is Australia. We cannot exert pressure on Australia from overseas; but we can do it easily from East Africa, because Australia needs an open sea route through the Indian Ocean. Even if she diverted her trade round the Cape we could attack freighters from East Africa. When we are in a powerful position in Central Africa we should be able to force Australia to respect our wishes in the j South Seas and Far East, and so drive th first wedge into the united front of I our Far Eastern enemies.”