12 JANUARY 1918, Page 2

As for the German Colonies, Mr. Lloyd George said that

"they are held at the disposal of a Conference whose decision must have primary regard to the wishes and interests of the native inhabi- tants." The enemy's suggestion that the natives, by fighting for the Germans, have showed their love of German rule applied only to East Africa, and there only to a small warlike class, who were given a privileged position, and allowed to lord it over the masses of their fellow-natives. The enemy had treated the natives so badly that ho might well fear to have the natives consulted as to the future of the former German Colonies.