New-York tribune., 1918-01-22

Africa seems long way off to our people
and of the ebbine and flowing Of the wartide
there few have taken notice. Still fewer have
mad time or opportunity to acquaint them
selves with conditions that obtained in that
vast dark continent before the war. Naturally
! therefore, of it's possible results to the East
ern world and ultimately to ourselves we
know little and care little. If the man in the
street is asked the question, "Why cannot
Germany receive back her colonies? 2" he
Knows no valid reason why she should not
IN the arrangement Of the coming world
peace our nations voice must count for much
That voice should be the voice of intelli-
gence. TO decide wisely our people must know
lar more than they do now of what hangs on
decisions to be made, perhaps in the near tut
urc Those representing US must have the
backing of the nation, when for the nation,
and for all nations, as we'll as our own, their
voice is raised, their vote is cast. Results for
veal Or woe of incalculable importance must,
after the war is over, be decided: and things
have so fallen out that we inevitably must
rave great share in deciding them There
lore, as l shall hope to show the fate Of Ger
manys colonies in East and West Africa is
i'ot slight matter, but most important one
Germany's African policy has been directed
to one end-viz., the future domination of
that continent. The means Germany has en-
ployed to gain her end need not enlarge on.
The whole world has gradually come to un-
derstand and to abnor them. But adherence
OF her means should not blind us to the far
reacnlng craftsmanship OF the ends sought
In the name of our common humanity our ma
ton has placed itself full across Germany's
path, and it was time she did so if freedom
or choice was to be permitted to men. Why
should we stand in her path in far Africa?
Germany's aim in war, in trade, in colonial
ton is one and the samc--viz Capitalization.
she has held her own marvcllously we'll in
war, because from central point she divides
her enemies She has done this in Euronc.
she aims to DO the same thing in Africa
Let me be more specific. Her aim in Europe
ard Asia is no longer Gas it was at frst) hid
den. 10 enemies and friends alike it is plain
~ evident. 1T she can get her way she will
establish German control of wide bel1 of
the earths surface, having as it's boundaries
the northern seas, the southern seas, and
on the west the Mediterranean Within this
vast belt, with uneuualled and systematic
energy, she proposes to develop the resources
Of the earth. These lie ready to her hand.
Everything would flourish under her rule
but one thing-Liberty!
Solid Belt of Territory
Such plan succeeded in would not only
strengthen Germany; it would perpetually,
rroportionately and fatally weaken all peoples
opposing her, for the German belt would
olvlde them. If partial division handicaps
dangerously now, what consequences would
follow such division made permanent? It
is easy to answer that question. Submission
to an autocratic dominance, or all the world
an armed camp, all the future looking to a
greater war
Cermany's plan for Africa is an exact coun-
terpart of her plan for middle Europe She
aims to establish solid belt Of territory be-
tween the Indian Ocean and the Southern
Atlantic. BY doing she would cut the con-
tinent in two. She would again divide her
enemies and rivals, she would keep them
divided. She would cut off all Southern
Africa, all Boer land, both the Rhodesias and
the Cape from British East Africa, and
Uganda. e., from the immense fertile region
extending from the northern boundary of
German East Africa to the southern slope of
the Abyssinian Mountains
If Germanys history was that OF q reason
ably quiet and peaceful nejghbor it might be
expected that such policy was at least ar
guable, but since this is not so, since from
military and commercial standpoint she has