The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1918. GERMAN POLICY IN THE BALTIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, MAY 23, 1918. GERMAN POLICY IN THE BALTIC.

German operations in the Baltic, being evidently directed to obtaining a monopoly of trade in that region, require to be met with stringent measures as soon as the more important matters of the war are decided. It is not only Britain that is closely interested in recent developments in this quarter, the Scandinavian countries, including Denmark, having considerable interests to be safeguarded- One authority describes the Teutonic policy as a revival j of the Germanic Hansa domination of the Baltic by military means, but whether commercial control is obtained by peaceful penetration or by armed force is a matter of indifference to the Germans so long as it is achieved. The process of extending the German coastline on the Baltic is to 'be carried on. evidently, until it covers Libau, Wiridau, Riga and Reval, the last named being the key to the Gulf of Finland indicates that German policy is to incorporate Finland in the central economic blockade which the Teutons hope to dominate after the war. This would ibring German influence far northward along the eastern shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, and the ulterior object would be to turn the northern tad and continue the same process along the eastern, or Swedish shore. Even now, with the ports of the Baltic provinces in her hands, Germany can deal a shrewd blow at British trade. Possibly only those directly engaged in this trade are cognisant of what this Wow means, tut some conception of its effect may be gathered from tie fact that, before the war, the Russian exports from Riga and Reval to Britain were nearly twice as great as the exports from those harbors to Germany, while the Russian imports from Germany through ,i, P eftmv ports fell considerably eVrt ,-f there from Rritnlp, irV(i:-n- fl-;., „..,, ,;„..,, w , ,„., are- the natural cuij-auocs to the ll Hv

sian markets, Germany can at any timo close up this valuable British trade in which a large number of merchants are profitably engaged. The evil dees not., hownver, atop there, for Britain's trade with Sweden if also involved, and aa (Sweden's exports to England in 1013 were W3B million kroner aa compared with Germany's 179 million kroner, it is apparent that the loss would be serious Wth to Britain and Sweden by the conversion of the Baltic into a German ktl;» This latest phase of German policy atm explains why Britain has deemed it necessary to extend her mine fields to th» shores of the Cattegat, which German writers are ben-in-ning to speak of as tho "Northern Dardanelles." Jn this connection it is noteworthy that the Hanseatic control of Copenhagen was used to close the Ealtic to British trade, and history has a way of repeating iteelf, so that Germany may have it in eontemplation to do likewise or to levy those strait tolls which were abolished over half a century ago. The effect on (Sweden would bo that she would be forced to trade with Russia through a German controlled Riga and Reval, and with Poland through Libau, also a German port, while the Finland entrances would also be within the German sphere. It goes without saying that Germany would permit no rivalry, but wnu.'d impose such conditions as would ensure German control of the measure of -Sweden's commerce. During the war Sweden's trade lias grown beyond all conception and the prospect of German control must be very disconcerting to Sweden, especially as her merchant ships have kept pace with the increased carrying trade. It would seem as if the German authorities have given up all real hope of getting 'back their colonies, and aro now directing their energies to providing the most likely substitute which will serve tho dual purpose of obtaining supplies and injuring British trade. This may or may not !bo the German aim, but Germany known very well that her Baltic gains aro subject to the final issue of the war. Xo doubt ri.e will endeavor to make the best of her present opportunities, but the neutrals can at least see for themselves that Germany is actuated by selfish motives and that Gennan influence always means political aggression and commercial monopolv. Britain will be able eventually to protect her own interests, and k not likely to leave the smaller nations out in the cold. Germany's domination of Russia is proceeding apace, but there are not wanting signs that it is not going to be a" smooth sailing. The Russian debacle is having far-reaching effect. »"t the tangle i„ still capable of bein« unravelled when the right moment arrives. At present tho outlook is depressing, yet there are gleams of hope for the future, though it mav be neces«ry for that country to pass through the furnace of affliction in order to take on new strength and courage to work out her destiny,