1918-11-28 — Page 7

GERMANY'S COLONIES.

THE SUBMARINE MENACE,

[BY ARCHIBALD KURD.]

Why does Germany want coloniest According to recent statement of Marshal von Hindenburg, now the apes- tle of peaceful development, without colonies there is no security as rogarda raw materials; without raw materials there can be no industry; without indus try there can be as adequate prosperity. Therefore we must have colonies," When Germans talk of the need of colonies, they are thinking of the next war. What Hindenburg really means when he speaks of

raw materials is naval bases," which can be used by submarines, making, the world's sens, and not small areas of water, "war, zones," and giving the German Army a new chance.

It is fascinating to study the develop. meat of German policy in any sphere. The story of the colonies is a particularly fascinating one. In the seventies of last century, as the Germans had no fleet of much account, it was held that colonies would be rather an encumbrance. But later on another school of thought arose sad urged that colonies were desirable to justify the movement for a great nagy, Germany, it was said, must become a world Power. So, by devious means, colonies were secured-not much of colonies. but still good enough for the political

the purpose which Pan Germans bad in view. And then, 33 3 corollary, arose the movement for a big navy. In the memorandum which accom paried the Navy Act of 1900 it was ex: plained that, to protest Germany's sea trade and colonies in the existing circumstances there is only one means Germany must have a battle fleet 10 strong that even for the adversary with the greatest sea-power a war against it would involve such dangers as to imperi his position in the world." Within few years Germans were convinced that they, being, the salt of the earth," as the Kaiser described them, "were the heirs to the British Empire, and that, with the aid of the strengthened feet they would be able to secure their heritage. One German writer, dealing with the British Empire, the secret of which these logical, methodical, and blind people could not understand. remarked that shove and the ill-joined mosaic falls to the ground."

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, THURSDAY. NOVEMBER 35TH, 1918,

total exports from these overseas bases Empira have been able to mobilise theiz

of German kultur were infinitesmal in comparison with the aggregate inward trade of the Empire. What was the good, the soldiers asked, of spending good money-about £18,000,000 a year-in sup part of these colonies, and then further vast aus on ships of war to defend them, when the invincible army" of 1884 1960, and 1670 could make much better use of any sums which could be spared from the Imperial Treasary! But the Kaiser pat down his foot, proclaiming that he knew bow Germany was to secure her place in the sun,' and they must trust him. The soldiers gave way.

strength? Those were the thoughts that passed through the minds of countless Germans, and Tirpitz was dismissed. He will never be forgiven.

dive

肥

10

WORLD WILD TO BANSOM. When the Germans ory that they must have their colonies returned they are thinking, not of emigration or raw mate- riala, but of bases for anbmarines, which, as the map published to-day reveals, would command the focal points of the trade routes not only of the British Empire, bat of the whole world. With a few hundred submarines wisely distri buted Germany could at her will hold the maritime nations of the world, including abend, the idea being that in time every all the rest to ransom. For the subs So the task of increasing the navy went the United States, France, Italy, and Merman colony would become a base from marine is a more serious proposition than which cruisers would issue routes, thus cutting the maritime com latter has a radius of action at meat of to the trade the light cruiser. In the Arst place, the munications of the British Empire, and 4,000 miles at ten knots, and must keep Preventing British troops being employ fuel in, reserve for a spart in case she ed outside the British Isls.

In the meets memorandum of 1900, Grand Admiral

an enerdy ship. Since a

O submarine... going von Tirpitz euphemistically declared that evade attack, it can travel on and on

in order to form a judgment on the importance of an increase of the foreign stores.

without calling anywhere for food,

for a

of or Juel,

distance service ships, it must be realised that 16,000 or 17,000 miles looking for its they are the representatives abroad of prey: if the ballast-tanks are led with the German defence forces, and that the, oil the endurance can be doubled. These task often fails to them of gathering in statements convey some conception of the the train which the maritime patency menace which Germany would offer to fleet has permitted to ripen." created for the Empire by the home battle civilisation if she could obtain ber That was colonies again and apply in Acting out the formula of "force" extended over- submarine fotillas the knowledge and The Germans were engaged, over experience she has acquired in this war and above the ships allocated to the High The world's ocean-borne commerce could cruiser-swift battleships--and ten ordi- with all on board, in a month. Seas Fleet, in building righe battle be arrested, if the ships were not sunk What gary cruisers, to pick the ripe fruit when the cruisers in the summer and autumn the military party in 1914 declared for Says of 1914 failed to do, long-range aut war. Tirpitz protested that his plans marine craft, independent for lengthy were not ready: the soldiers told bim periods of food, stores, and fuel, could that was so much the worse for him, since achieve, and at a small cost. "The other they were, and the army could win with- out the aid of the navy.

sca

abtain the benent of our singularly favourable geographical situation. to panght

it 23

But, it may be replied: nasions would take counter-monstres. What could they do? We are told that. After the outbreak of bostilities, such naval forces as the German had in dis it is sertain that we have not "mastered

holding We are

the submarine, but a watere a comparatively few cruisi it. And yet we are favourably situated, ery-were rounded up, the colonies were because the British Isles lie like some taken from ber, ind her flag disban

bunker aros Germany's sea-path. If wo appeared from the nea. The naval could stop

stop up the two exits from the and colonial policica, in the promo North Sea, well

good: we might be tion of which, from fest to last able to

But something approaching 400,000,000 had

is the Allies have from 4,000 to 8,000 been expended, bad come by the end of 1814; but not before are small craft combating a limited number three markable event had occurred at sea. On of submarines issuing from two or a good

October 20th, 1914, s German submarine contiguous ports, and shipping is being had suck-apparently the net was an sunk at the rate of three and a half mil experiment on the part of a young lion tons a year. What reply could be A HYPOCRITICAL PLEA.

of sub- The foundations of this policy of con-

and enterprising commander-the British made if Germany had: Bcores

ports in the quest were being laid when the war camac. merchant ship Glitra. Tirpitz and his marines, based upon The work was hindered by the Hinden associates had never thought of such a Cameroons, or German East Africa, or barge and the military caste in Germany possibility. They cared nothing for in issuing from the Pacife islands formerly They regarded the colonial and naval ternational law or humanity, but, in in her possession, or making Tsingtao movements with distrust; and as time applying the lesson of this and other their home. It would be useless for the cases of piracy and murder, wers con- other nations of the world to build other passed the case for both got weaker and weaker. In the first place, the ples that fronted with the knowledge that they submarines, for submarines, though they had built less than a score of seagoing may sometimes be successful in dealing the population of Germany was in

They had also failed to with like, are no antidote to the menace. creasing so fast that calonies for settle submarines.

the colonies. ΤΕ it not apparent in the light of these ment were necessary was exposed by the base submarines, on falling-off in emigration; the number Tsingtao had possessed a couple of U-considerations that, quite apart from Ger

nativa races, ber

peaceful policy of had declined to about 20,000 annually boats, would it have been possible for many's terrible record of barbarity to ---20,000 out of 70,000,000 persons-and of the British and Japanese to seize it? If penetration of which ber colonies were those emigrants not more than a fow the "other colonies had been similarly bases, and her faithlessness generally to hundred went to Germany's colonies. In defended, would they have fallen. If all treaty obligations, she cannot be per the second place, the case for colonies as few hundred submarines had been based mitted to regain her overses possessions scurces of supply for raw materials dis-1 on the ports of Germany's oversca pos-Daily Telegraph. appeared in lace of the fact that the sessions, would the peoples of the British

Is

NOO FOR

AN AXELI

DUNT!

HONGKONG

HEATHER DAY FUND.

THE FOND

UP

1918

1917

$47.006

1916

$8.800

1915

| $1,900

(9640

YOUR LAST CHANCE! DO IT WELL!

HEATHER DAY

8 a.m.

10 a.m.

11 a.m.

FRIDAY. 29TH NOV.

Sale of Rosettes Office to Office Collection Motor Car Procession

11 a.m. tó 1. Music on Cricket Ground

Noon

3 p.m.

Auction of Gifts

Opening of St. Andrew's Fair

Every Cent Raised to

Wounded

be sent to Scottish Hospitals, where

Soldiers are Treated

Irrespective of Nationality.

Every cent is needed for

the great work of healing.

ST.

ANDREW'S

FAIR

MURRAY PARADE GROUND, 29TH & 30TH NOVEMBER

Helter-skelter, Joy Wheel, Swing Boats, Aunt Sally, Submarines and Aeroplanes, Chute,

Chute, Picture Palace, Pill-box, Shooting Gallery, Merry-go-round, Zoo, Scottish Women's Stall, Thistle Tea Rooms, Supper Room, Dance Hall and Cabaret, Duck Pond, Fortune Tellers, Gypsies, Try-your-strength, Miniature Golf Course, etc., etc.

See the Esculator

(First appearance in Bongkong.)

Raffles and Competitions

FOR

VALUABLE PRIZES.

A REGULAR ROUND OF MERRIMENT

Every cent is needed for the great work of healing.

WE ARE PROUD OF THE BOYS WHO WON THE WAR! DO YOUR BIT, AND THEY WILL BE PROUD OF YOU!