MORE BRITISH DECAY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 170, 27 October 1910, Page 4

MORE BRITISH DECAY.

Just as one time the great Bonaparte was '"the bogey of Europe," so now is Germany the bogey of an Empire much greater .than the countries of Europe in combination. It has become the fashion to derogate all things British and to advance every tittle of evidence to show that Germany must dominate the world in the time to be. Britain has never in her comparatively short history threatened absolute dominion, but by progression has obtained a greater dominancy than any other nation. Germany seems a little different. It seems that when she contemplates mastery she lets the whole world know of her intention. Britain has been able to obtain dominion as much by the quality of her diplomacy and the honesty and justice of her methods as by force of arms. It has been her policy to carry into the waste places of the earth her incomparable genius fo'r organisation, to insist that trade shall follow the flag, and to give all under it the blessings of its protection. Germany, although related by ties of blood, has not the instinct necessary to territorial expansion and the satisfaction of the peoples of new territory. Her colonising has never been a success. In a little trouble with the Herreros of German South Africa she showed neither tact, kindness, nor common-sense, and in her relations nearer home she has never disguised the mailed fist. Hermes da Fonesca, of Brazil, lately went to Berlin and there heard something of the ambitions of Germany. This Brazilian gentleman declares that the Brazilian States of San Paulo and Santa Catherina owe their success to the fact that they are practically under German control, "it is not known whether Professor Schmoller, of Berlin, is a mere scholar or a prophet, but he has put forward the amazin? theory basing his belief on the management of these two Brazilian states—that a nation of two hundred millions of Germans will some day rise in South America. In the meantime, it is possibly necessary that Britain shall become a second-rate Power, that the United otates shall sink into insignificance, and that Brazil and other South American republics shall bow in meek submission to the will of Germany. To come a little nearer home, Professor Macmillan Brown, who has just been wandering round the lacific Islands, has returned to New Zealand a little struck with the disparity between British and German methods. In Tonga, which is under British rule he saw evidence of remarkable process. The ports of Nukualofa and Vavau for instance, have new ferro-concrete wharves, and many facilities for dealing with shipping. Suva, in Fiji, has also made good progress since he'.savr it previously, fourteen years ago. But Apia m hamoa, where there is Gcrmnn control. seems to have stood stock ?tiU. Apparently, it has been absolutely changeless during the past decade. He saw the snnie old buildings in the same dilapidated coats of paint, with the same nameof firms on the signs. If virtue in colonisation is any criterion of the virility the Progress and prosperity of a people it nay be assume, 1 that the German! have not, so fai, entirely superseded the P.ri-