GERMANY'S COLONIAL CLAIMS [To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.]
Sta,—Professor Berriedale Keith's letter ignores the funda- mental danger of giving a militaristic Germany overseas terri- tory from which she could, and assuredly would, menace the Empire, and especially Imperial communications, through the establishment of air and submarine bases.
The Territory which Germany most desires, and which is usually mentioned by those who would restore to her land in Africa, is Tanganyika, formerly German East Africa. South Africans, Rhodesians and East Africans are determined to resist the return of Germany to Eastern Africa primarily because they know what immense havoc could be wrought throughout British Africa by aircraft operating from bases in Tanganyika, and that submarines and commerce-raiders operating from the Tanganyika coast could sweep clear the Indian Ocean, threaten the Cape route, and do great damage even in Far Eastern waters.
Professor Keith wants to know whether we are "morally justified in seeking to deny Germany the possession of overseas territories." I would ask what moral justification he can suggest for his idea of providing Nazi Germany with such facilities, and how he would justify the transfer from British to German rule of Native populations, which would manifestly have nothing to gain, and might have a great deal to lose from ' such a course of action.—Yours faithfully, F. S. JoEisoN, Editor. East Africa and Rhodesia, 91 Great Titchfield Street, W. I.
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