Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-25

600 square miles, German Southwest Africa
1000 square miles and German CAMERON
In West Africa 100, 900 square miles. The
German possessions in the southern Pacific
ocean cover an area Of 1876, 900 square miles
These colonies, together with other smaller
foreign possessions, make an aggregate area
of approximately 100000 square miles
These colonies have been in the possession
OF Germany for periods varying from fifteen
to twenty-five years, and they were-intend-
ed to provide suitable outlet for the sur
plus population Of the mother country.
The last census returns taken six months
ago reveal the astonishing fact that the
total white population of all the German
colonies amounted in round figures to Il, 900
persons. This means that there Is one SOL
itary white fnhabitant to every hundred
square miles of territory in the German
colonies. About one-fourth Of this handful
of whites distributed over more than
million square miles are Europeans Of other
nationa!ities, SO that only about 5000 are
Germans. More than half Of these Ger
mans are either soldiers or government Of
hcials. so that Germany has been able to
disgorge her surplus population to the col
onies to the extent Of just about 1000 per-
sons These plain facts and figures reveal
at first glance absolute breakdown of
German colonial enterprise.
But the whole truth about the German
revelations. The German colonies have
not only been a failure, but have in
volved enormous financial losses to the
fatherland. Instead of providing markets
come additions to the impoverished treas
ury of the German empire millions upon
millions of money have been spent In the
vain endeavor to transform them into prof
liable undertakings.
Take the case of German Southwest At
RIGA. Germany has already thrown away
$50. 000, 900 on this country and 1t Is esti-
mated that further sum of 100000. 600
will have to be spent as an irreducible min
imum within the next ten years. German
Southwest Africa yields nothing in return.
x~I-- III ir1o AWAY
rebellion for the last three years. and. apart
from money, the lives Of thousands OF Ger
man soldiers have been sacrificed in the
suppression of the rebellion. The cult
waited land has been devastated and the
little enterprises started by Germany have
been destroyed by the insurgents German
Southwest Africa shows no prospects OF
future improvement; on the contrary, tnere
is every reason to believe that Germany
will go on sinking money without reaping
any returns.
Take the case of Kiaochao, a little strip
of Chinese territory some 1913 square
miles in area, which Germany has leased
from the Emperor of China for period
of ninety years. Germany has already
spent 100000 600 on Kiaochao in the
course Of six years. and the aggregate
German exports to Kiaochao during these
six years did not amount to $10.00O.OO0.
During the last twelve months Germany
spent $35, 900 900 on her other colonies
and received In revenue from the colonies
! the sum OF 81, 800 900. Moreover. the pres
| ent state of affairs is not only disastrous,
| but shows no signs OF improving. 1t Is
| this hopeless aspect of German colonial
| enterprises that has caused a strong re.
vulsion o.. German public feeling against
| any further dabbling in colonial under
takings.
| Many Germansswould like to sell all the
! German colonies to the highest bidder or
to make a free gift of them to some other
power only to get rid of them at any
price The German emperor, however.
considers it essential to retain the colo
MES and to go on spending money on
! them because any other policy would be
| inconsistent with his imperial dignity
and the prestige of his empire
| The failure of the German colonies. X
is believed, has been due partly to in
| competence and partly to corruption.
| Germans have always begun cofoniztng
lat the wrong end. They have taken pos
session of territory, have hoisted the
| German flag, have occupied it with Ger
man garrison and made it doubly secure
| by q force of Prussian police. These first
| steps having been accomplished, they
| have set about introducing on this virgin
soil complete system of German bu-