The Indiscretions of Mr. Pirow Mr. Pirow, the South African
Minister of Defence, who has just returned home from a visit to this country, has been in trouble over the question of German colonial claims. Having last year boldly expressed the view that Germany should get back her former colonies, he has now embroidered his statement with two further propositions. He declared at Pretoria a few days ago that the Italian victory in -Abyssinia has made Germany's presence in Africa all the more necessary, and at the same time explained that there could be no question of restoring to Germany either Tanganyika or South-West Africa. The German Press has promptly replied by enquiring whether Mr. Pirow is one of those " platonic " supporters of justice who believe in restoring all the spoils of war except those captured by themselves. Mr. Pirow was on, safer ground when he criticised those " influential quarters in Great Britain " which hope, by offering Germany " compensation " in Africa, to stay the German advance elsewhere. The policy of endeavouring to keep Germany in tutelage in Europe by encouraging her to expand at our own expense in Africa is a curious example of morbid altruism, which will, incidentally, do little to satisfy German appetites.
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