BIG EMPIRES OF THE FUTURE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 252, 17 October 1908, Page 3

BIG EMPIRES OF THE FUTURE

it is somewhat iislonishing (~ t),i M k that less than two hundreds-ears ago not one of the big empires of to-day existed, with the solitary exception oi China.

Japan was never mentioned, the I'uiled States did not. exist as a scpanlc Power, Russia was not considered of much account, and even the British Empire hail not really started out en its career, for it did not include India Australia, Canada, New Zealand, mr a rood of Africa. As for the (ie'rinan Empire of to-day, it is not yet thirtyeight rears old. " "'

As the big Empires of to-day ban [sprung up within two hundred' years it is quite possible that another couple of centuries, or even a much less spate of time, may see equally ama/.i'i" changes in the political man of the world. Germany is constantly being accused of a wish to go to war for the sake of new territory. To do the Kaiser and his subjects bare justice, it must be admitted that they do not want war fur glory. But the population of the Herman Empire is already too big for the country. In a generation or so there will not be room enough for the people in H,e Fatherland.

This is why the Kaiser wishes to found a new over-seas Empire. iic would not object to a portion of the British Empire provided he could get !i. Hut his pet idea i s to establish "a big, new (ievman Empire in South and Central America, and taking j„ c|,j|; ~„ . Peru, and spreading out i„ the limitless' pampas of the AvgcnCnc. The republics themselves are not strong enou-l, to elVcctively resist, a powerful' invasion All that prevents the Kaiser's eonquest in South America is the -slron" objection of the I'nilcd States that !,'■■ should do anything of the sort. Some romantic people are slated to be planning to set up a voting lady, whom they call Helen of New York, on a brand-new. throne in America. They declare that mere presidents are played nut, and they expect to obtain the 'enthusiastic support of the millionaires and "bosses" by promising that these gentlemen shall he created dukes and earls as soon as tjueen Helen is enthroned.

A crowned sovereign may, or may not, come to reign in Yaukeeland in the future. Hut Uncle Sam has a dream of his own about, a future Empire, which is going to be the biggest in the world, of course.

Many quite level-headed Americans consider it certain that the day will dawn when the Stales will join with Canada, and then either compter or peacefully annex all South and Central America—and without asking the permission of the Kaiser, either!

France hopes some day to consolidate a big Kmpire in Africa, which will include Algeria, Tunis, and Morocco. If she succeeded, she would' dominate th<; Moditcrarnean.

The great ambition of Russia is to acquire a great port, which will be open all the year round. At .present all the chief Rusisan ports are blocked with ice for months during the year. The Rusisan dream is that the Tsar will eventually capture Constantinople and annex a large part of the Sultan's dominions.

If the British Empire became too weak to interfere, and Germany were busily engaged in America, the' Tsar's grey-coated soldiers might march into the capital of the Turks.

Our little friends and present allies, the Japanese, are in the same position as the (iermiras. Their .country is notlarge enough for all the population. Statesmen and travellers who ought to know allege that the Japanese hope to obtain possession of Australia some day, and found a new Kmpire of the Chrysanthemum under the Southern Cross.'

There might be a new Empire in the Balkans some day, if Servia, Bulgaria, Koumelia. and Montenegro were to combine. Then, 'instead of being petty states of no account, they would become a power to be reckoned with. In the same way, if Denmark, Sweden, and Norway were to join together, there might be an Kmpire of .Scandinavia in the future.

John Bull appears to be about the only Croat Power on earth satisthi with things as they are. He does not want any more territory, but merely purposes'to keep what lie has got. It was the lixed opinion of Napoleon that the great Empire of the future would be founded in the East. His own great ambition at the outset of liis career was to have set up an East-'in Empire, which would have included Egypt, Syria, India, Persia, and a few other trifles,

His gigantic vision was never realised. Hut a new conqueror of the future might make it a fact.