Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-02-22
Mlistellaneans Reading.
LESSON ON IMPERIALISM.


From the New York Sun.
A young man, perplexed by the con-
licting views expressed in the news.
papers on the subject of colonies, and
on the Philippines in particular, sub.
mitted list of questions to travelled
merchant and observer of things po-
litical, which were answered in the or
der in which he presented them:
"What right have strong nations to
appropriate the lands of aboriginal
peoples ?"
"The right that the human race has
to turn the resources of the earth to
the best account for its subsistence and
we'll being. To deny this ri ght would
be to say that the domain of the
United States, capable of supporting
several hundred millions of people,
should have been left to the exclusive
occupancy of few hundred thousand
savages. This right gives no warrant
for ill-treating the aborigines and in'
wolves the duty of promoting their de-
velopment and welfare"
"Have not the peoples whose lands
have been appropriated been cruelty
treated ?"
"In particular cases, yes; on the
whole, no. A colonial policy that ex
terminates the natives, grinds the col
ony to fill the home treasury and dis
regards the colonial interests is blight
and curse. In the long run it fails
as in Spain, once the leading colonia
power"
"Have the peoples coming under the
control of strong nations been bene
6ted by the changer"
"Certainly., If they are misgovern
ed they are not benefited any more
than the people of Turkey are helpec
and blessed by a corrupt and tyran
nous government. But bad govern
ment is not the rule among colonia
powers. Denmark safeguards her Es
kimos in Greenland in all ways, anC
they are increasing in number ano
have an unfailing market for their OF
and furs. England did not seize Up
per Burmah till the atrocities of The
baw became unendurable. Now there
is security for life, dacoity has been sup
pressed, there are railroads and steam
boats, more work for the people anc
more outlets for their products. Ger
tain evils and some injustice have
marked the partition of Africa among
the European powers; but, on ths
whole, the evil this partition ha'
wrought is but drop in the bucket il
comparison with the good it is doing
illustrations of the improved condition
of peoples who have been brought un
der good colonial rule might be giver
by the column. Look at Tunis, fol
instance. Before France established
her protectorate a few years ago he1
commerce did not exceed S4,500,0 900 .
year. In 1895 it had risen to SIG, ,4O5,
900. In 10 years over 100000, ,0O'
have been spent in building railroads
and highways and improving harbors
and large areas, hitherto untitled, art
now raising cereals and olives"
"Do colonizing nations admit th'
peoples whom they bring under thei
flag to fair share in their own gov
ernment?
ayes, if they are capable of self
government. 1t is the essence OF mod
ern colonial policy to give full scope tt
all the native intelligence and abilit!
in the development of the colony
Native governments are continued 81
far as they are worthy and helpful. II
Africa, Java, India, and other land
native chiefs and princes remain il
local control if it is in them to assis
in the progress of the country. II
many instances their sons have beer
taken to Europe to be educated at th'
expense of the state. The fact tina
even among barbarous tribes the rights
of the natives are regarded is showl
iu the signing of over 1000 treaties
with native chiefs during the partition
of Africa; and these chiefs have beer
maintained in their authority if they
have deserved to be thus trusted"
"Do not white governments err II
trying to enforce their institutions
habits and ways of thinking upor
black or yellow races ?"
"They are not doing this. AS 1
rule, they interfere with no mans re
ligion, customs or local government
but they will oppose any influence
which they deem harmful to thei
scheme of development. France il
Roman Catholic; but she treats pro
testant missionaries and converts il
Tonkin or the French Congo no better
and no worse than she treats Roman
Catholics or Buddhists. The British
are raising money to start Moham
medan college at Omdurman, because
it is believed that an institution o
learning which does not oppose tht
prevailing religious sentiment will de
most good there"
"What are the special advantages o
possessing colonies ?"
"Nations seek new colonies for the
purpose of assuring new sources o
raw material, special privileges fol
their traders, and above all, new mar
kets for their productions. Several o
the largest nations must have greater
outlets for their surplus products Of
their people at home will suffer. Usu
ally, but not always, the mother coun
try has a larger part of the externa
trade of her colonies than any Other
nation. The value of the imports into
Cape Colony in 1896 from Great Brit
ian was nine times that of the United
States, which stood second on the list
The external trade of Tunis with