Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/352

268 when the Sandwich Islands passed to America? Do they realise what the fortified Panama Canal is going to mean? Do they believe that the Americans will let any temporary checks interfere with their ultimate aim of fortifying that canal and assuming full power? Do they believe that the Republic of Panama—in reality a creation of the Americans—is destined to be anything but a stopgap? Mr. Roosevelt has already openly proclaimed his ideas on the subject. To suppose that it does not concern us is childish, for the ultimate prosperity and fate of the British West Indies is involved with Panama—and there is British South America and British Central America —for they exist—and it therefore lies with the British Government to look far ahead and guard our interests. It would be well, too, for those who look ahead to study the doings and aims of the “International Bureau of American Republics”—that combination of, I think, twenty one Republics, banded together to foster their own interests, but not to foster the interests of Europe. Truly there are mighty problems facing us in many parts of the globe! Are we to sit idle, do nothing, and imagine all the world loves us so dearly that we are safe? Is it only the North Sea that is to see the grey hulls of the British fleet? In the East “things are to happen” at no distant date.

What this land wants is war—war here at our doors—war devastating our homes, destroying our cities and our harbours—only then will she wake up—too late!

In 1900 what was Kiaochou or its city of Tsingtau?—a mere nothing. Here Germany has indeed shown what she can do in this line if supported. In these ten years Tsingtau has risen into a fine city, with magnificent Government House,