The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-15
POWER,


a Frenchmnn's View OF II in Past and Future.
In the August number Of that bright little
Franco.1rish monthly, L'Irldndc Li6re, there Is,
among other interesting things, an article by NJ.
Maurice Lacy on the secret of British power.
With that extreme lucidity which seems to be-
long exclusively to the French language, NJ.
Lacy deals with facts and figures. and, without
any attempt Mt establishment. frames them in
good old horse sense.
Whatever the events, " he says. that led up
to the loss of India and Canada to France. they
were all subordinatcd to the condition sine qua
non of maritime supremacy. The English fleet,
by winning the battle OF Trafalgar, DESTROYED
the last obstacle to the colonial expansion OF
Great Britain, because all the lines Of communi.
cation with territories outside of Europe re.
manned thereafter i'll English hands. 1t was not
by superiority of race. it was simply by the
chance of circumstances. that the victories OF
Nelson were more fruitful for Great Britain
than were the prodigious conquests OF Napo.
Icon for France. The starting point, therefore,
for the recent English Notifications must be
sought for in 1905. A careful analysis and q
logical sitting of the causes Of British colonial
expansion would present an interesting study.
In the first place. 1t was not the Anglo.Saxons
who played the leading part in British expcdi.
tions. In America, in Australia, and in New
hiu II was II lTlSu anu scotch WHO won
the prizes for England. In Canada the French
and their descendants arc stronger than the
Anglo'SaNons and in the Cape and all South
Africa the development Of the colonies is the
work oil the Dutch and the Beers.
Now, after all. the British method OF coloniz.
ing shows no superiority in the Anglo-Saxon
race, and certainly the way in which English
possessions are governed does not display any
extraordinary administrative talent on the part
Of English statesmen. They lost America by
their rapacity and incapacity. In Canada. often
III fcDclllDn, they have been Obliged IN Weld IN
an the demands of the dissatisfied. Tho rcla-
lions between Australia and England were
Australia is virtually independent to-day. AS
Tor India, it cannot be looked upon as u colony.
NE EXPLOITATION of IL products. ireland is still
1laatectcd and hostile. while in France La Ven
ace rs PROSPEROUS ana contcnted.
In u word, an examination shows that great
discoveries. great achievements In colonization,
ana great examples OF good administration can
not he placed TO the credit of the Anglo-Saxons.
But II the secret of The success OF England
Is not TO be sought for beyond the line OF
her naval supremacy and the commercial
We must look elscwher for n possible
danger to her power. Naval supremacy. al
nothing more than a condition among Others Of
equal Importance. The central force OF England
M not been developed in acceptance with that
OF nor territories. Each one of her possessions
MARKS "A point OF irritating contact with some
nelEhborlng country; England has not enough
terly insufficient to hold her conquests.
Lei, us examine the position. Australia will
h InGin pc OF any Eenett, except for Australia.
ever that empire decides to move her troops for
the conquest; and Mt tho present time India i'm
mobliizes a considerable portion of the English
army. The preservation of India and OF tho
west coast OF Africa depends upon the employ
nehl OF native ana Mussulman troops that may
any nay become n cause for danger. The possess
sion OF Gibraltar Is a constant affront to Spain.
me. oppression of Ireland requires 10000
snniicrs. and. in case of war. 1t would need l0O.-
oV'' canada will soon he either independent or
AincrlGtn. In Africa England cannot march To.
WARD hhartoum.. against the will OF Mcnclck,
nc held; and in South Africa an attack upon
me boers would he followed by n struggle be.
tween the Dutch and the English forces, which
outstart."