The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1918. SAFEGUARDING THE PACIFIC.
The unwavering determination of the Overseas Dominions to prevent Germany from again becoming a menace in the Pacific has borae fruit in an unexpected quarter—the United States. The resolution introduced by Senator Saulsbury is attracting great interest—and rightly so—in America, as well as throughout the Empire. It may be urged that as the war will not be ended until Germany's power for evil has been completely crushed, there is no need for special action with regard to the Pacific, but now is the time to take steps that will ensure, in any event, that the future of the Pacific will be absolutely safe from the machinations of any Power or group of Powers by the application of a Monroe doctrine for llie Pacific. Senator Saulsbury urges that the United States, Britain and Japan shall come to an agreement to prevent. German aggression in the Pacific, and to bar Germany permanently from having naval bases there, directly or indirectly. A stipulation in such agreement is that China, Russia, and any other Government on the Pacific shores, shall be admitted as signatories, and that no warship of any Power which has pursued, or may pursue, illegal methods of warfare on the high seas, be permitted to hold ports or possession in the Pacific from whence such warfare may be waged. A more comprehensive and sweeping proposal it is impossible to conceive, and the fact that it emanates from an American Senator, who for the time being is President of the Senate, gives it an added force, by reason of the United States' policy being one of non-interference in such matters. It only shows how thoroughly Germany's methods of duplicity, ruthlessness and unscrupulonsness have been revealed to Americans during the present war. Their policy of isolation has been shattered by German provocation and barbaric baseness, so that to-day the United States Government is actually at war in alliance with Britain and other Powers against the common enemy of the world's peace and security. Now that America has pledged all her resources in the Allies' cause, it is only logical that she should join hands with them in safeguarding the Pacific. With such a combination as America, Britain and Japan to enforce the Pacific Monroe doctrine ample power is available for the purpose. The resolution, as explained by Senator Saulsbury, virtually places the Southern Pacific Islands under Australian control—possibly Australasian control is meant—in conjunction with Britain, thus completely eliminating German influence and preventing the establishment of German naval bases anywhere in the Pacific. If any are in doubt as to what this means, they have only to bear in mind the llatant demands of the Pan-Ger-not only, she
j return of all the German colonies, but the acquisition of others, ia order that German)' may be the dominant World Power. By the constitution of a Pacific Protectorate on some such lines as Senator Saulsbury advocates, the interest of all other nations, other than German)'-, will he fully protected. The proposal, moreover, goes a step further, and excludes Germany from participation in the Pacific trade until her people show they have renounced militarism. Can any unbiased person honestly assert that this rranitive prohibition is not fully deserved? Not if he possesses sanity of mind. Striking at German trade is a legitimate means of making the Germans feel that the civilised world will not tolerate the horrors and savagery which Germany has exhibited throughout the war in defiance of all conventions. She has acted on the principle of being a law unto herself, but must be made to feel, at her most vulnerable point, the pressure of the law of civilised nations applied with rigor and determination to prevent further piracy. It will be no use raving or whining. Had Germany acted and fought fairly there would have been no question of after penalties beyond a fair recompense for the victors, but she has made her nest foul and must abide by the consequences. "My aim," said Senator Saulsbury, "is to keep Germany out of the Pacific for ever." That should be the aim of Britain, the Dominions, Japan, America and all other nations interested. We do not advance this contention in the interest of Australia and New Zealand alone, but as a necessary measure of security for the whole world. There must be no jumping-off places left for future German operations. The passing of the resolution by the United States Senate will materially strengthen the hands of the British Government in dealing with the question of the future of the German Colonies, and it should also secure a unanimous expression of opinion at the Imperial War Conference in favor of Mr Hughes' policy, under which the Central Powers would be told to keep their hands off the Southern Pacific.
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Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1918, Page 4
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804The Daily News. THURSDAY, JULY 11, 1918. SAFEGUARDING THE PACIFIC. Taranaki Daily News, 11 July 1918, Page 4
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