Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-01-18

| deprived Germany Oh Possibility OF
Creating n south African Empire.
We Block Her Way to Exploiting
South America.
Some comments on the colonial poll
cy of Great Britain, the Anglo-Boer
war and Gernany's attitude toward
England and the United States made
| by Gilbert Parker, the we'll known au-
thor and member of parliament, are ex-
tremely pertinent, coming, as they do,
during the present revival of South AZ
rican war criticism, in the heat of the
American peril agitation and after
the recent conflicting articles in the
British press on the necessity for Eng
lands allying herself with Germany
against this country or with Russia
against Germany, says the New York
Commercial Advertiser.
'YOur question as TO my opinion Of
our colonial policy is rather difficult to
answer" said Mr.. Parker to his inter
viewer, "for an Englishman. even If
strongly opposed to England's attitude,
would try to defend her position when
questioned by foreigner. Not that 1
myself want to defend England's stand
from patriotism alone, for L am a
strong supporter of our present policy.
"What about Germany's attitude to-
ward England just nowT" continued
Mr.. Parker. well, it certainly shows
the existence of u dangerous element
In Europe. Germany is a great en-
pire and is ever growing stronger. Her
adverse criticism can benefit neither
England nor herself. 1t is dangerous
for England, for no country is enriched
by making enemies, and it is danger
Gus for Germany, for she can be sure
of this, that no matter whether the ma
tons of Europe love or hate England
it would be absolutely impossible for
the German empire, with all her puts
sance, to make Il coalition against or
make war upon England. The other
powers won't play Germany's game.
1.-THE German people are not looking
in the right direction for their enemy,
for Germany's foe is right here in
country they call the United States.
All England has to do is to sit still and
let Brother Jonathan take care of the
Teuton. Germany is the one aggreS-
sive colonial and commercial power in
the western hemisphere. Her attitude
for years past has been one of aggran-
dizement. There was abundant evil
dence of this short time ago in the
Venezuelan dispute. She has by every
kind of political intrigue endeavored
to gain commercial domination over
South and Central America. That is
anti-Monroe. This is what the United
States will never allow beyond a GER
tain limit.
"YOu ask what inspires Germany's
criticism of the war in South Africa
There are three reasons for it. Ger
many long ago determined to have a
vigorous colonial policy in South Afri-
ca and to acquire a great territory
there. and so long as the southern part
Of the dark continent remained a Sc
ries of detached provinces it was pos
sibIe. The splendid chance of starting
in the Transvaal and Orange Free
State q great commercial status, which
is always the foundation for strong
political power, was hers, but she
didn't achieve ii. She would have been
justified in her ambitions in this had
not the present war set 1t forever at
rest. The end of the war is distant. it
is true, but none the less certain. Then
there will exist I'm South Africa a series
of constitutiOnalIy' united provinces in
which German commercial ambitions
will be powerless. Germany can never
be a great African power. That is the
first reason for her antipathy.
"In the second place, the Beers are
more German than
English. England herself would SYM
pathize with n people speaking her
own language and possessing her own
customs and main characteristics who
were struggling with a stronger people
that spoke a different language and
by any kindred ties.
'Then the third reason is that n vast
majority of Germans really believe
that England is what the Boer dele
gates, and especially DR.. Leyds. paint
her. They don't get accurate accounts
OF the war. All news comes filter |
ed through Boer sources, and so the |
Germans really believe that horrible |
atrocities are daily being committed by |
the English soldiers. Naturally their |
Indignation is aroused, not disinterest- |
edly or ingenuously.
''This is true of the people generally, |
but not of the government itself. The |
opinion in Great Britain is that Ger |
many as n nation has played very fair
ly. The unfavorable sentiment is by |
no means the creation of Emperor VIII
liam. But all this storm of protest |
will die out. as such agitations do. 1t |
is not to Germany's interest to quarrel
with England"
In closing the interview Mr.. Parker |
spoke of the reconciliation of the
Beers their future and the future of |
growing out of the confedera-
ton of the South African colonies, |
which. he said, would take place with
In the next decade.
''Two-thirds of the Beers are English |
he said. land so are more
and VIII more readily as
simulate English customs and princi- |
pies and be more readily reconciled