The new German Government explained its Colonial policy to the
Reichstag on Tuesday, when General von Caprivi declared in substance that the wish for Colonies had been fanned in order to warm up national feeling; that be did not at all care for them himself, believing that they diminished national power, but that as the Germans had entered on a Colonial career, they must go on with it, and spend some money. He revealed in his speech, which we discuss elsewhere, something of the old feeling of the Teutonic knights, declaring that in Africa "Bullet and Bible must go together." He was preceded by Baron Marschall, who has succeeded Count Herbert Bismarck, and who devoted himself mainly to the English question. He declared that his Government intended to go. "hand-in-hand with England;" that "the local differences were no evidence of the actual relations between the Governments ;" and that he did not seek in the negotiations the largest possible extension of territory, but final arrangements which should prevent the danger of perpetual friction. That is sensible, and probably true, and we hope that our Government will make every reasonable concession, always providing that we retain the right to connect our now scattered territories from North to South. If the two countries quarrel at all, it will be because their rights of way are barred,—as those of Great Britain, for instance, will be if Germany extends herself straight from the sea to the Congo State.
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