The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-01-20
A.ia in World Politics.

years In that continent. 1t is divided into
three chapters, entitled The Problem OF
Asia" Effect of Asiatic Conditions Upon
World Politics." and Merits of the Trans
vaal Dispute" To those who have read
the previous works of this author and the
various magazine articles published by
him from time to time. comments upon
the style Of this book Will be unpeces-
sary. Its general scope and tendency are
briefly described in the preface, in which
Captain Mahan says:
The onward movement of the world is largely
determined both in rate and in direction by
geographical and physical conditions. Add TO
them racial characteristics, and we probably have
the chief constituents of the raw material.
which, under varying impulses from within and
without is gradually worked up into history.
The process of the manufacture Is seen in the
course of events; but these, whether in current
history or in the wholly past, embrace a great
mass of details, which, by the various and CON
hicting directions Of their action, not only per-
plex the enquirer with a of utter con-
fusion, but also cover, and to a first glance eff
fectuaily conceal, the determinativc conditions.
Such conditions. however. there always are; and
these shape and govern the whole range OF Incl
dents, often in themselves apparently chaotic in
combination, and devoid of guidance by any ade-
quste controlling force
In history entirely past where an issue has
been reached sufficiently definite TO show that
period has ended and another begun It Is possible
Tor careful observer 10 detect, and with some
precision to formulate, the leading causes. and
to trace the interaction which has produced the
result. 1t is obviously much less easy to dis
cover the character and to fix the INTERPOLATION
of the eleihents acting in the present. still more
to indicate the direction of their individual
movement, from which conjecture may form
some conception as to what shall issue as the
resultant of forces. There is here all the differ
enee between history and prophecy.
Although assuredness of conclusion is denied
in this process. we can still be confident that
under all surface conditions, present past,
there must lie permanent facts. and factors the
detection and specification of which ascertain
at least the existence and character of certain
determlnative features, and the relations sub
sisting between them. Even much is gain;
and gain 1t will remain for the guidance of ma
lions and of mankind, even though it be not pos
which. through the operation of Unforeseen events
these various factors will ultimately fall
1t may be seen that the authors method
is Fre-eminently that of the Iatter-day
historian who no longer ascribes anything
to the workings of mysterious Provi-
dence" or the unaccountahle will of an
overruling supernatural power. The mod
ern historian recognizes the fact that his
tory is a science as much as biology or
chemistry. Perhaps no greater change
has been wrought in recent years than
this change in the point of view of the
world OF thought. History is no longer a
record Of disconnected events and isolated
characters, but CT the workings Of great
laws which it is the business of the his
torian 10 discover and to explain.
The attitude adopted by the author to-
ward contemporary history, thus suggest
ed Ia the preface. is further explained in
the frat chapter of the book itself; and
the author points out the paradoxical ne
cessity OF taking both long and short
yiews-of considering both immediate ne
cessities and details, and the ends to be
accomplished and the forces at work The
Oldest Of games OF skill, chess, affords not
q bad illustration of this. The chess
player must keep in view always the end
OF the game; yet he must not overlook
any OF mis- pieces, because each contrib
utes 10 that end He understands. more
over, that in such a contest chance is
eliminated: each move has its logical Sc
quence and reason. II is exactly so in
the great game OF world-polities. Wheth
eT one agrees with all the conclusions OF
Captain Mahan or not. his book will be in
terestlng to most students OF this sub
feet for two reasons-one that it eX-
presses SO completely this method OF
thought characteristic Of the modern OBJ
server, the other that he takes the atti-
tude adopted by good many American
politicians and observers on the subjects
discussed There was time when the
tone OF IRought in this country was more
or less emotional: We are now taking on
the aStita5e of diplomatic impartiality, of
scientific GOODNESS. This Is partly mere
attitude, costume of the mind fash
Son, as var the other. and in part 1t rep
resents a real step forward in the path
of progress; for it is better to think than
not to think, to be guided by reason rath-
er than irrational and ignorant emotion.
At any rate It is Captain Mahan's habit
of mind, and he has put it on for we'll
considered reasons, not, as some OF his
Readers may, because II happens TO be
the fashion OF the time.
For Instance. there was time when
good Americans considered the Monroe
Doctrine as thing too sacred to be light
~ spoken of; but here is what the author
has to say Of that sentiment:
The Monroe Doctrine has been and continues
to be good seryiceable working theory, resting
undeniable conditions. But, having now a
lifetime OF several generations, II has acquired
an added force Of tradition. Of simple con-
serystism. which has a bad as well as a good
aide. For tradition tends 10 invest accepted
policy with the attribute Of permanently, which
snly exceptionally be predicated Of the cir
tumstsnces Of this changing world. The princi-
Piles upon which an idea rests may conform to
application continually varies. and niaxms rules,
doctrines not being the living breath Of princi-
pies but only their embodiment-the temporary
application OF than 10 conditions not necessarily
perInanent-can claim no exemption from the e5b
and flow Of mundane things. We should not
make Q, even this revered doctrine fetch, nor
persuade ourselves that modification is under
10 circumstances desirable. For instance II has
become probable that whatever our continued
Adherence TO the doctrine itself, we may have
somewhat TO readjust views OF its corollary
that concerning spsrtness from European com
plestions-
After thus defining his own reasons for
his attitudes on the various subjects dis
eusseG IN the book, the author goes on 10
consider the Asiatic problem Like all
writer's en- the ksiatic question, he recog-
nizes the fact that Russia is an immense
and probiematical factor therein. In re-
gard TO the desirability OF her predomi-
nance, he says:
Russia. in obedience to natural law and race
instincts is working, geographically, to the
southwark in ASia by the TANKS. her centre
covered by the mountains Of Afghauistan and-si-s
deserts Of eastern Tirkestan and Mongolia. -sT1T
fers with the internal action. the mutual sup
port Of the various sections OF this extended line.
whose length under the physical and political
conditions is les element Of weakness; for
the Russian centre cannot be broken. II Is upon.
and from the tanks Of this great line that
restraint, IL needed, must come; the opposition
Of those who with no ill-win 90 Russia grudg
ing Of her prosperity nevertheless think that
due prominence Is Ufsound condition In any
boty poiitic-in the parliament Of man. II
may tzy 50. well as in that Of nation. Ia
the federation Of the world, If it come to
pass, healthy politics VIII need az opposition Of
psrties. drawn doubtless along national lines.
In this last sentence Captain Mahan has