Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-09-26
Germany's Colonial Possessions.

Unless a very great change takes place in the
German mind ere the day of the peace conference
dawns. there is pretty certain be some most de-
termined opposition to the approving of some gen
orally accepted terms of settlement
. Two matters that are sure to evoke the btterest
feeling will have reference to the disposition Of the
provinces OF AIsaceLorraine and the future owner
ship of the German colonies.
Senator Lodge in his oatline OF the allied peace
terms, which has met with such very general &C
eeptance-includes the unconditional surrender Of
Alsace-Lorraine, but omits any reference to the
colonial question
In a recent bulletin of the war committee of the
W rniversftv Of Illinois Professor David Kinley deals
with the matter thus: "Germanys colonies may be
returned to her only adequate guarantees are Sc
cured; these are that they will be Matching
grounds for plots against her neighbors' and that
the .ousent OF the people and those of neighbor-
ing communities shall be secured"
DR. W s. Solf Germanys secretary of state,
puts very clearly thu German feeling the reten-
tion of colonies: 4 dare say says DR. Solf,
that the safeguarding of colonial future is not
only the aim of our government and certain groups
Of individuals. but has become aim of the Ger
man people A lively consciousness now extends far
into the workers circles and the retention of our
colonies is a vital question for the honor of Ger
many as a great power. Our colonial war aims are
second other in national Importance. The
growing realization of German workers to Ger
many's position is especially gratifying in view Of
the plans of enemies which have been clearly
revealed during the last few days"
Arthur J. Balfour puts the English view of the
matter when he states: There will be no giving
back 10 the Germans of the African colonies they
once exploited; it would simply putting into
their hands the opportunity to furnish submarine
bases on all the great trade routes of the world
and the further possibility of her attempting TO
raise great black army in Central Africa against
Us"
The premier of Australia taking the British en-
pire view speaks of the Australians as being all the
lime concerned regarding the German Pacific pos
sessions" and emphaticaIly adds that, Germany
must again have them in her power"
Japan. too. has not hesitated to make known the
act that "she will resist the utmost any thought
Of Germany again being Represented in the Far
East or indeed getting foothold the Pacific"
1t is manifesty clear that while no proposals are
advanced as to the OF the German colonies the
allies are practically in the determination not
make any restoration to Germany and the least
Of the determining factors in arriving at such
decision has been the record of the brutality assoc-
.ted with the German colonial administration
Only few weeks ago a report prepared by E
L. Gorgas, acting secretary of the Interior Union
Of South Africa was published in London, in which
It is stated that the native opinion is unanimous
against any idea OF being under German rule again:
he report indicates that the first rs years of the
German rule in Africa was an unbroken record Of
official bad faith and private oppression There
numerous Instances given of gross bestial CON
iuct which III sheer depravity and immortality are
well nigh unbelievable.
The prime minister OF New Zealand speaking of
he Pacific islands, adds. that Germany is hated
md detested by the native races, who declare that
death would be preferable TO a resumption of Ger
nan rule"
No. it is unbelievable that any peace conference
would for moment consider letting Germany
the power and opportunity inflict upon these
people similar crueties again. Present day records
II German rule as experienced in northern France
Belgium and the last few months in parts Russia
give force 10 the words of Senator Lodge when he
states that 1t is part, and business put
Germany in a position where she can do no harm |
n the future the rest of the world-civilized or
such statement leaves no doubt as
the question of the future Of her former colonial