New-York tribune., 1900-10-05
NEW PUBLICATIONS
: HoUGHTs ON THE DESTINY OF THE
UNITED STATES

The thesis OF this book is that q great eco
nonnic movement is impending that may transfer
the supremacy IN civilization and in the worlds
trade and industry from England to the United
States This revolution IS the continuance of
long chain Of events that extends as far back
as the days Of Babylon and Nineveh. For up
ward OF a thousand years the social centre Of
civilization has advanced steadily westward. II
it crosses the Atlantic, America VIII be aggran-
died; IL. on the contrary. II should reoede,
America may have reached her prime. England.
having held the economic supremacy FOR CEN
tury. is about to lose it. because she has weak
ened, has lost her energy. Another crisis is at
hand in that irresistible transfer OF the centre
Of civilization that constitutes the history OF
man
Such are the broad generaIizations that Mr..
Brooks Adams sets out TO establish IN this book.
He clearly believes that America is the coming
power and centre, and the book Is intended 70
arouse his countrynen 10 the responsibilities
and dangers that confront them. These dan
gers cannot be shirked or avoided. He repeat
edIy declares that the crisis. If 1t comes. is in
obedience to natural laws against which human
voiItion IS powerless. The book is series OF
essays published in several magazines in the
last two years, but all calculating the general
principles the author has laid down. The es-
says are on the Spanish denoting a
new struggle for life among nations Engiand's
decadence forcing the United States TO compete
for the seat OF empire: phase Of that
decadence, as illustrated in the mismanage-
1nent of the British West India colonies: on
Natural Selection in Literature" a suggestive
comparison between the national ideals Of
Scotts time ana tf Dickens's as shown IN the
characters of their heroes: on the Decay of
England at Home" indicated in her conduct
OF the Boer war-an original and interesting
criticism of the events in South Africa; and on
the Influence OF Russia in China" and the
vast impending rearrangements dependent
thereupon. Mr. Adams has a larReness Of view
commensurate with the worldwide scope of the
problems he is discussing. He deals IN great
matters. with broad sweep Of statement and
generalization that unconcernedly brushes aside
as incidental and temporary such things as
patriotic pride, immemoriai tradition, preju-
dices insular and continental; national pref
erences and tastes. All these things have no
standing in the face OF the cosmic movement
that he IS tracing. Mr.. Adams's style Is fitted
for such theme. It is terse. direct and vigor-
Gus, and OF rapidity Of movement that some
times cannot stop to reason argue point
stated with what seems uncompromising dog
rnatfsrn- But his argument is interesting and
suggestive.
The close Of the Napoleonic England
the focus Of the capital and industry Of the
world France stood second England was the
personihcation of energy; her accumulations
ovsrfowed her own borders for the development
OF Argentina, Australia. India and America. But
changing conditions have taken this pre-em-
iuence away The war of 1870 disclosed the in
ward decay Of France and transferred her
power eastward to Berlin. England has lost her
energy her initiative. She has not followed the
modern consolidating tendencies by which econ
omy in business and industry is promoted; her
exports have declined, her imports have in
creased her agriculture has collapsed; her ma
tional extravaganza has grown enormously; her
literature has fickered low after a period Of
brilliant activity; the extent of her military
weakness is disclosed by the South African
operations. Says Mr.. Adams:
strangest of all is the mental inertia that pre-
vents the Englishman from comprehending the
world about him. He still looks on American
competition accident he still regards his
railways the best, he is still pleased with the
results attained at his universities, he is salts
fed with the place he holds; he does not care 10
change He fails TO perceive that beyond the
boundaries Of Great Britain the methods Of or
ganization and administration have altered
throughout the world, while within they tend TO
axity
The meaning of all this, Mr. Adams points
out, Is Of n1onentous import for America, and is
bound UP with the solution Of several questions
now pending before the people. If the Western
Continent is gaining at the cost Of the Eastern
the United States must shortly bear the burden
England has borne; must assume the responsi-
bilities and perform the tasks which have with
in human memory fallen TO the share Of Eng
land, and must be equipped accordingly. In
that case a reorganization of the country's ad-
rninistrative machinery in the interests of
greater concentration is necessary. This ques-
ton may be relegated to the future; for the
elof
Fears are unavailing: timidity never yet averted
disaster; how and when the decisive moment
may come is beyond conjecture. An Anglo
Saxon coalition, thinks Mr.. Adams. is the one
thing that might, If 1t succeed, alter profoundly
the equilibrium Of the world. In the impending
struggle for control of markets in China. Amer
lea must take her part
Already America has been drawn into war
over the dismemberment of one dying civliza-
ton; and IT cannot escape the conflict over the
ands rich. coal bearing and with fine harbors,
seem a predestined base for the United States
90 a conflict which is probably as inevitable as
that with Spain. 1t is in vain that men talk or
keeping free from entanglements. Nature is
omnipotent and nations must float with the
6de.
And again, as TO the Philippines:
Probably within two generations the United
States VIII have faced about and its great in
terests will cover the Pacific which it will hold
like an inland sea The natural focus Of such a
Pacific system would be Manila En-
frenched there and backing Europe, with
force enough TO prevent our competitors from
closing the Chinese mainland against us by dis
elimination, there is no reason why the United
States should not become a greater seat OF
wealth and power than ever was England Rome
Constantinople
These are strong words. fit to set the pulse Of
every American beating stronger and faster. But
Mr.. Adams makes no direct appeal TO patriot