The Washington times., 1917-02-23
viii Not Return Any After the
War Ends, They
Say.
WILL DIVIDE UP PRIZES
Plan to Drive Teuton Enter
prise From Old World
Affects U. S.

ness, which has a special concern Tor
America, in the announcement that
Great Britain has no idea of return
ing to Germany the colonies that
have been conquered since this war
began.
For that announcement means that
Germany is to be barred for the fu-
ture from colonial enterprise any
where in the Old World. II Germany
shall choose to continue her dreams
OF empire the only place under the
sun in which she may hope to realize
them is the New World.
Americans sitting comfortably at
home may quite easily overlook the
tremendous implications of this
solemn announcement of British
policy. But in the present temper
and purpose of the entente allies, as
temper and purpose are manifested
in every contact with the public and
the official mind on this side, 1t must
be understood that they are deter
mined to put an end to Germany's
capacity for mischief making in this
part OF the world.
Spoke For All Allies.
Walter Long, secretary of state
for the colonies, was intrusted with
making the formal announcement on
behalf of the British government. He
did 1t in the course of a public ad-
dress urging the people to subscribe
to the victory war loan. He spoke
not only for the Cabinet and the en-
pire but for the allies of Great Brit
ain. In part, Mr.. Long said:
"It has been said, and with abso-
lutte truth, that we did not go into
this war for any purpose of ag-
Erandizement. We did not seek ex-
tension of territory. We went into
this war as an ally to fight for great
causes, but as a consequence of this
war we have acquired possession of
different German colonies.
Il speak with knowledge and with
responsibility. and I speak as the rep
resentative, for the moment, OF those
vast. overseas dominions which are
the pride and glory of our empire to-
day, when 1 say, let no man think
that these struggles have been fought
in vain. Let no man think that these
territories shall ever return to Ger
man rule. 1t is impossible. Our over
seas empire would not tolerate any
suggestion of the kind"
Warning After -ConfeEeaee.
1t must be remembered that the
foregoing statement, containing no
qualification or evasion, was made
Immediately following conferences of
the allies at Paris, Rome, and st.
Petersburg. At these conferences
military, financial, economic and po-
litical problems were considered in
the utmost detail. Down to this time
there had been no flat avowal of
policy toward the colonies that have
been wrested from Germany
The subject has been a favorite one
for speculation in connection with
peace discussions. At the beginning
of the war the German chancellor
brushed aside as unimportant the fact
that German colonies were rapidly
being seized by Germany's enemies in
all parts of the world.
THE fate OF colonies" said the
chancellor, "will be determined in
this war, as in other wars, on the
battlefIelds of Europe"
Which meant that Germany was
Just as confident of getting her colo
nles back as she was that she would
win on the battlefields of Europe.
But ii Is now very apparent that
even il Germany should not be abso-
lutely defeated, she cannot win the
war. The best that can happen for
her is a stalemate. In case OF stale
mate what would become OF these
colonies?
wouldn't Block Peace.
The way to peace would hardly be
blocked by a question of colonies if
once other questions had been brought
in sight Of agreement. The only way
to repay England for her sacrifices
IN the war would be out of the frsg-
ments OF the German colonial empire.
England has possessed herself OF most
OF these. Japan has taken some
minor bits in the Pacific, but with the
announced intention of turning them
over to Britain.
II the entente powers win Russia
can get her satisfaction at Constan-
tinopIe and in the Balkans. Italy will
see her Adriatic ambitions realized.
France will have Alsace-Lorraine re-
stored to her. Japan holds Kiaochau
and is likely to retain tt. England
will doubtless insist on the return of
Helgoland. but that would be merely
a protection to the allied nations in
the future; II would not be regarded
as a form of compensation. Reme,i-
bering that 1t would be useless TO ex-
pect adequate indemnity to be paid by
any NOhhNlg dlNtl lhlS
conflict, IT is apparent that the only
thing that could repay England would
be the German clonies she has taken.
Mr.. Longs statement can only be
construed to mean that the allies have
agreed on this basis.
Germany'E Holdings Vast.
Although Germany was last OF the
great empires in the field of colonial
enterprise. she managed to gather
up q pretty attractive collection OF
real estate souvenirs in various parts
Of the world. German Southwest
Africa embraces 800 900 square miles:
the Cameroons in South Africa 3OO,-
900, Togoland $4,000, all of which
have been wrested from her
The Germans have made their best
stand in German East Africa, with an
area of nearly 100000 square miles,
and, on the whole, the most promis-
ing OF all the colonies. Lately the
British have been conducting a sue
cessful and aggressive campaign, and
they will shortly have overrun and,
occupied the entire territory.
Besides these African possessions
Germany held a considerable number
Of islands in the Pacific, all OF hich
she has lost, and about one-third of
the area of the tremendous island OF