The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1918. A MONROE DOCTRINE FOR THE SOUTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1918. A MONROE DOCTRINE FOR THE SOUTH.

We have on more than one occasion commented on the question of the retention of the German colonies by the British Empire, but the matter is of such vital importance to the Dominion that we are again impelled to refer thereto in the light of the statements made by General Smuts in the course of an address to the Royal Geographical Society. South Africa is as strongly interested in this question of the German colonies as is New Zealand or Australia. He approaches the matter, however, from a somewhat different standpoint, yet his arguments and convictions all converge at the same point as those which have been expressed by the southern portion of the Empire. In addressing a body like the Royal Geographical Society, General Smuts naturally stressed the geographical effect of German overseas settlement and control, and his remark* are of such great interest that they ■should receive universal attention. The peoples of those portions of the Empire in the Southern Pacific are-hardly iiKely to appreciate adequately the danger which threatens the great African Continent should Germany once again find a foothold there. According to Herr Zimmcrmann German Africa alone will give the Germans a balance of power in the 1""-.(, and in Africa. It will relieve tke Egyptian pressure on Asia Minor, and give to Italy freedom of movement as against her present Allies, and to Spain and Greece the necessary relief. He also asserts that German Africa will make Germany a world power "by enabling us to exert a decisive influence upon the world political decisions of our enemies and of other Powers, and to exercise pressure on all shapings of policy in Africa, Asia Minor end Southern Europe." This is rather a tall order, but it is an absolute article of Teutonic faith. Summed up, the policy means world domination. It h a part of that world policy that 'Professor Dellbruck asserts is in reality "nothing but colonial policy conceived on large lines." It will be noticed that these two Pan-German advocates proceed on different lines, hut arrive at tt" l same terminal in the end. One refer? to world power and the other to wcrld policy, but they both mean the same. While Germany was preparing for war she cast covetous eyes on Africa ana thoroughly appreciated its great value in her scheme of world power. Now that Bagdad is in British hands >). nd Kiao-Chau is out of German control, the possession of Africa is more than ever coveted by Germany. The reason is not far to seek. Why did Germany engineer the Bagdad railway? Merely to provide a means of getting to India without having to encounter the great naval power of Britain. If Germany controlled Africa she would possess frontages to the Indian Ocean as well ai to the Atlantic, and it is on these oceans as well as the Pacific that the Germans hoped—and still hope—to build up powerful bases, obtain enormous native armies and thus dominate the world. General Smuts accurately estimates German intentions, and his words of advice and [Warning should convince British statesmen of the reality of the danger that would result from allowing the Germans to once more, and to greater purpose, resume possession of their lost overseas colonies. The advent of America into the war has evidently impressed General Smuts with the desirability of extending the Monroe Doctrine to the overse&s Dominions of Britain. He contends, and on the very best of grounds, that the Dominions "should not be asked to consent to the restoration to militant Germany of fresh footholds for militarism in the Southern Hemisphere, endangering the future of their rising communities. They want a new Mon*«e Doctrine for the South for pro tec- ,

lion against European militarism." This

statement is all the more forceful coming, as it does, from a Boer general, who a Jew years ago was fighting strenuously against the forces of the Umpire whose cause he is now so whole heartedly furthering. No finer example ot An-glo-African Imperialism eould be turished than that of General Smuts, one; a bitter enemy and now one of the foremost champions of the British Empire, Not only can he see the danger to Africa, but also as regards Samoa and New Guinea. His contribution to the discussion of this momentous question is extremely gratifying and should produce on the minds of British statesmen a conviction that it would be a suicidal policy to entertain for a moment any idea of restoring to Germany her captured possessions. By invoking Ame. rica's aid in the extension of the Monro* Doctrine to the South Seas he has done good service, for it would only be courting disaster to provide the Germans with weapons for conquering the world a* soon as she lias recovered from the effects of her present failure in that direction.