Axis Interest' in Future of Pacific Territories
pp. 7-8 · Read in the full issue
A DOLF HITLER described suc cinctly in Douglas Reed’s latest book as an “epileptic mongrel” and “professional perjurer” has been issuing instructions, lately, about the future of Britain’s colonial empire; and his jackal, Mussolini, has been adding a supporting yelp.
The announcement that Papua and the Mandated Territory of New Guinea had been, for defence pur poses, formed into the Bth Australian Military District, with headquarters at Port Moresby, brought howls of rage from the German and Italian news papers, who said that this was clear evidence that Australia had annexed the former German colony. It is a great pity that Australia does not annex it: but the fact is that noth ing has been done other ;than to create a defence organisation, in the manner permitted by the terms of the mandate.
Evidently, it is assumed in Europe that the vast, rich Territory of New Guinea will be again a German colony. That pre-supposes the de feat of Britain. In course of time, the “epileptic mongrel” will discover that he cannot defeat Britain; he even may learn, as a much more able and famous personage admitted, a long time ago, that “these dogs of Englishmen don’t know when they’re beaten”.
THE fate of many rich countries, washed by the waters of the Pacific, is being decided now in
Europe. Assuming that Australia, Canada and New Zealand, in any ( event, will remain independent and " Anglo-Saxon, it would appear that the following Pacific and Asiatic territories are under Totalitarian observation: In South-east Asia : British—Burma, Malaya, Borneo, Hong Kong. French —lndo-China. Dutch—East Indies.
American—Philippines.
In Pacific : British—New Guinea, Solomons, Gilbert and Ellice, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Cook Is. French—New Caledonia, French Oceania. Anglo- French—New Hebrides.
Now that Hitler has missed his great opportunity (June-July. 1940) of over-throwing Britain, we may confidently expect that Britain and her Empire will survive. But what of the future of France’s colonies?
It is impossible, at this stage, to make any forecast of their fate. A completely triumphant Britain might secure the restoration of France and France’s colonies. But years may— probably will—pass before Britain gets the upper hand, and forces the Nazis out of France and Holland.
Meanwhile, she can prevent the Ger mans, and their Italian jackals, from taking possession of French and Dutch colonies. But a different posi tion exists in relation to Japan. The Japanese most urgently need such colonies as Indo-China and the East Indies; and Britain can do little to prevent their occupation by Japan.
So it is quite possible that when
Britain, four or five years hence, be gins to dictate terms to Germany, she will be faced with a fait accompli in South-east Asia, any revision of which would mean war with Japan.
DURING this same period of pos sibly four or five years, it is inevitable that the isolated French colonies of New Hebrides and New Caledonia will enter the British Commonwealth; but their ultimate fate depends upon the condition of France some years hence. Im perial France may be restored and able to take back her colonies; but we fear that, when the Huns are done with her, she will be sadly broken, and probably Communistic and anti- British.
France will rise again; but if her Imperial glory is to be temporarily obscured, we may expect to see New Caledonia and New Hebrides, at their own wish, become Australian terri tories. Only a German victory will change the condition of New Guinea: otherwise, New Guinea will become permanently a part of Australia. That is as it ought to be—the security of Australia demands that Australia shall control always the great chain of protective islands that runs around from New Guinea, in the north, to Norfolk Island, in the east. New Caledonia and New Hebrides are in that chain. In the hands of our strong ally, they were no danger to Australia. But if the post-war France is to be militarily weak or socially sick, it is inevitable that Australia will seek to control them. Their economic importance is small—not
worth making a fuss about —but their strategical value to Australia is very great.
Thousands will await, with interest, some indication of the probable fate of French Oceania—the most beauti ful and charming of all the Pacific Islands groups, yet, on account of its comparative isolation, of little im portance economically. If it does not remain in the French Empire, whence will it go? To Britain, by entering the group of South Pacific territories controlled by New Zealand? Or to the United States, as a valuable out lier of the Panama Canal? Japan might be interested, but would have difficulty in formulating a claim, as Tahitian interests are predominantly French, British and American. In the centuries to come, these islands may gain new value from the fact that they can provide important stations on the direct air-route be tween Australia and South America and (if it were desired to avoid the route via North America) between Asia and South America.