“is not a policy of interference, much less a policy of intervention:  had it interfered in South Africa (he was alluding to the Boer War) it must have intervened, and intervention implies the use of force.”

On yet another occasion he explained that a prudent world-policy must go hand in hand with a sound protective policy for home industry, and that its basis must be a strong national home policy.

There is nothing in all this, even supposing Germany’s interests at that time were purposely exaggerated, to which the foreigner could reasonably object.  The foreigner felt perhaps slightly uncomfortable when the same statesman, departing for a moment from his usual objective standpoint, spoke of the German “traversing the world with a sword in one hand and a spade and trowel in the other”; but otherwise no act of Germany’s world-policy need have inspired alarm, or need inspire alarm at the present time, in sensible foreign minds.  The rapidity of its action probably helped to excite a feeling that it could not be altogether honest or above-board; but it should be remembered that the new Empire had much leeway to make up in the race with other nations, and that quick development was rendered necessary by her commercial treaties, by her protective system, by the unexpected growth of industry and trade, by the continuous increase of population, the development of the mercantile marine, and the growing consciousness of national strength.

And if there is nothing in Germany’s development of her world-policy to which the foreigner can reasonably object, there is much in it at which he can reasonably rejoice.  Competition is good for him, for it puts him on his mettle.  A large and prosperous German population extends his markets and means more business and more profit.  The minds of both Germans and the foreigner become broader, more mutually sympathetic and appreciative.  The elder Pitt warned his fellow-countrymen against letting France become a maritime, a commercial, or a colonial power.  She has become all three, and what injury has occurred therefrom to England or any other nation?

Germany’s colonial development dates from about the year 1884, the period of the “scramble for Africa.”  The first step to acquiring German colonies for the Empire was taken in 1883, when a merchant of Bremen, Edouard Luderitz, made an agreement with the Hottentots by which the bay of Angra Pequena in South-West Africa, with an area of fifty thousand square kilometres, was ceded to him.  Luderitz applied to Bismarck for imperial protection.  Bismarck inquired of England whether she claimed rights of sovereignty over the bay.  Lord Granville replied in the negative, but added that he did not consider the seizure of possession by another Power allowable.  Indignant at what he called a “monstrous claim” on all the land in the world which was without a master, Bismarck telegraphed to the German Consul at the Cape to “declare officially to the British Government that Herr Luderitz and his acquisitions are under the protection of the Empire.”