The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1918. THE GERMAN PLANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 1918. THE GERMAN PLANS.

The- evolution of Germany's plans for world domination and commercial supremacy is an interesting study. Frederick the Great laid the foundations, Bismarck engineered the main structure and Kaiser Wilhelm is striving to put into position the coping stone. In the process, Prussia has been merged into the German Empire, the creation of which, at the expense of France, opened out a vista of world wide domination, hence the present Armageddon. If the whole of the intrigues, and all the concomitant scheming were divulged the story of this evolution would scarcely be credited, yet we know enough to be able to construct a fairly accurate narrative of the unfolding of Gennan designs and the means utilised for the purpose. German brains have for many years been perfecting the means for reaching the goal, reducing the details to an exact science, and the subtle methods of Germany's commercial and industrial emissaries have not only provided the necessary funds, but have spied out the land. To all intents and purposes the German nation has bent its will in full subservience to the Prussian obsession, wiui the result that plans for the subjugation of the universe to Germany's ambitious rule have been as complete as human ingenuity and skill could prepare. The outstanding feature of these plans was the elimination of Britain, as the snag that blocked the fulfilment of Teutonic aims. England actually counted for nought, but the Empire and the control of the seas counted for much—so much that it was necessary to embroil in war the other nations that counted, and by that means isolate Britain and cut her off from her possessions in all directions. An interesting side light on Germany's real purpose in this war has just been given by. Lord Denbigh in regard to Germany's aim to control the Suez Canal, which he rightly describes as the ganglion of Britain. There are many who could not seo the necessity for British j operations in 'Palestine, Egypt, Mesopotamia and elsewhere in the Near East, but in tho light of Lord Denbigh's remarks they will bo enabled to readjust their views. Possibly they have forgotten there was an occasion some years back when the Kaiser betook himself to Jerusalem and professed, with that hypocrisy and theatrical display which have become part of all his actions in recent years, an astounding admiration for Islam—a mere bid for Turkish favor with an ulterior design of making Turkish help fit into his general scheme, in which

India and Persia had their due part. German mastery of Russia, which was part of the deliberate plan of operations when the war was started—first the subjugation of France, then that of Russia—has opened the eves of the world to German designs. It is well known thai tho Kaiser has long been fascinated by the prospect of Asiatic conquests, and, though ho planned a path to India through Turkey and Persia, it was only becaufo he never anticipated that Russia would be obliterated like rh ..■ is to-d.v.\ With Russia in the hollow of his hand it is obviouj that lie sees great possibilities have been opened up for German gain, in territory, in service and in pandering to Teutonic avarice, j.llO great conquests of Jndia and China took place from the bleak wastes of Siberia and the plains of Turkestan. The Tartrr hosts under Tamerlane swept down from the north and the conqueror became Emperor of India, while China had to submit to a similar fate. History has a way of re peating itself sometimes, so that naturally both China and India are greatly concerned over the danger which exists through Gennan domination of Russia. It is here that Japan counts—and counts for much—though, after all, the real factor in the whole situation is whether Germany or Britain succeeds on the West front. Until the military power of Germany has been crushed she will still proceed along tfie dazzling paths of aggres. sion. That is why Japan should not hesitate for a moment to render all the aid in her power towards Germany's defeat. Russia is already squirming under the heel of her adversary, but Britain is safeguarding Palestine from German operations, while also protecting both the Suez Canal and India in other directions. There is such a thing as a bully overreaching Himself, and it would seem that this should be Germany's fate. In viewing the purposes of Germany in this wai there is a tendency to concentrate vision chiefly on territorial aggrandisement, but ■ it is as well to recognise that her objects are by no means confined to mere world power, but embrace tho seizure of resources that would add immensely to the wealth of the nation and the dispensing of bribes and rewards to such of the smaller nations who fall down and worship the all powerful Kaiser. Words fail to adequately express the loathing that such plans engender, and nothing but a decisive defeat of the Teutonic forces will enable the nations to breathe freely. Complete as were and are the German plans we may take comfort from the adage that the best laid plans of mice and men gang aft aglee.