The herald., 1897-09-27
110NnHY sEpTEMRER 81. - 1897.
A LONG LOOK AHEAD

Captain A. T. Mahan has a thoughtful
paper in Harper's Monthly (Septem-
ber) entitled IA Twentieth Century
Outlook" It comprises a review of
the status Of the nations Of the world at
large as affected by the commercial
and Industrial developments of the
approaching century and Of the
changes in international relations likely
to be affected thereby. Its chief inter-
est to the American reader consists in
the fact that it indirectly criticises the
policy of the United States pursued
since the foundations of our govern
ment were laid In combining our ma
tional energies to the development of
our internal resources unaffected by
the outward impulse of all other ma
tions. In other words, that we have
not expanded our national territory be-
yond the confines Of the American con-
tinent nor sought to strengthen our ma
tional defensive position by the peace
full conquest or annexation Of outlying
lands, however necessary to our safe
and successful defense, in case of inva-
sion by effective warlike forces.
There would be nothing particularly
new or striking In this. did not Captain
Mahan link with 1t the significant
proposition that in the century about to
open two civilizations-the western
civilization, representing the states of
Europe and of America, and the eastern
civilization, representing the millions of
China and Japan-will meet face 10
face, and either one or the other of these
civilizations must thereafter dominate
the world.
This is presenting a fact for the con-
sideration of the United States of the
most vital importance. 1t cannot be
met by patriotic rhetoric. but by the
logic of hard facts. Captain Mahan
asks: "Shall the crisis, when it
comes, find us equipped TO defend not
only American institutions, but to de-
fend our common civilization for the
good Of the world. He adds:
"what the ultimate result will be.
for guess even are not at hand; but
it is not equally impossible to note pres
ent conditions and to suggest present
considerations which may shape proxi-
mate action and tend TO favor the pre-
ponderance of that form of civilization
which we cannot but deem the most
promising for the future, not of our
race only, but of the world at large
Captain Mahan suggests that in order
we must appeal to the mot ignoble ar
bitter force-force potential and force
organized, which SO far has even, and
still secures, the greatest triumphs of
good in the chequered history of man.
kind"
He refers to the common saying that
faith is failing among ourselves, and
that our own civilization is losing the
spiritual conviction upon which it was
founded: that it is becoming material
only-"a thing limited in hope and love
TO this world" and says that this is only
additional reason why we should re-
sort to organized and material force.
Referring to the possible invasion from
China and Japan, and the tendency to
decay OF the warlike spirit on this side
Of the Pacific, he says:
"Communities which want and cannot
have, except by force, will take by force.
Still more will this be so if the
barriers have ceased to be manned-for-
saken or neglected by men In whom the
proud combative spirit of their ances-
tors has given way to the cry for the
advancement of military preparation.
ard the decay Of warlike habits.''
The pith Of the captains brochure. az
~ - the United States u concerned.