The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-26
GERArANY,s COLONIAL POLICY.
A Bitter Feeling in Victoria and queensland
Against Germany.

Bitter Feeling in Victoria and Queensland
Against Germany.
LONDON, Dec 25.-Mr. Robert Murray Smith,
agent-general of the colony of Victoria in Great
Britain, was visited to day by cablenews re-
porter, who asked him as to the feeling in Aus
tralia regarding the German annexation of parts
of New Guinea, and the whole of other islands
lying north of Australia Mr.. Smith replied:
81 have reason to believe that the feeling in
Victoria and Queensland is intensely bitter
toward Germany for her arrogant act. The feel
ing is equally bitter toward The British Colonial
office for its patering with the New Guinea ques
ton. This paltering alone made Germanys &C
ton possible, by preventing the occupation of
the island by Australia"
Why should Australia want to annex New
Guineal"
1T would be a valuable acquisition in many
ways. New Guinea is an exceedingly fertile
country and if it were once settled and civil
lied, its trade would be of value both to Austria
liza and England. The most immediate ad-
vantage that would be gained by its occupation
by Australia would be the prevention of its use
for purposes detrimental to Australia"
''ln what way could the island be used to the
detriment of Australian
"In case of war in which Australia was in
volved, New Guinea, if in the possession of the
enemy, would furnish the most natural and the
best possible base of operations against Austria
tegic value in that respect had great influence
with Bismarck in causing him TO make his wan
ton aet of seizure although, of course, do not
anticipate that Germany is about to make
war on Englands possessions in the South
Pacific, There is another use to which she NAV
intend to put New Guinea that would be far
more mischievous and harassing to Australia.
There is some fear that the island is TO be used
a German penal colony. another dumping
ground for the human refuse of Europe at the
II A in
will never submit to. They have had trouble
enough already in fighting the Recdivists from
the French penal settlement in New Caledonia,
and they will take effective measures of retalia-
ton if Germany should attempt to establish an
other such pesthole near their shores"
I'm what way could they obtain revengep
"rhey would take every jail bird that might
escape from the German settlement to Australia,
clap him into the hold of an outgoing steamer,
and keep him there until he could be turned
ian colonies have spent enough money in falling
the scoundrels who have escaped from
New Caledonia to rob, burn and murder in Aus
tralia They do not propose to harbor such
wretches any longer, even in their prisons, but
win send them back to the country whence they
come, be it France or Germany so that their
subsequent depredations may be among the peo-
pie who are responsible for them, and not among
ours"
what is likely to be the result of the joint
protest of all the colonies which is proposed by
the Premier of Victorian
ut is difficult to say what its immediate effect
may be- Every such joint action, however, is
step toward the federation of the colonies, and
the present outrage, and its resultant irritation
against England, may hasten the establishment
of an Australian republic modelled upon that of
the United States of America. Many states
men, both in Australia and England, are con-
WINGED that this will be the ultimate solution of
the problem, and some believe that it is not only
inevitable but near"