New-York tribune., 1901-05-18
COLONIZATION.
A HISTORY OF ITS DEVELOPMENT IN
ALL AGES.

ALL AGES.
THE HISTORY OF COLONIZATION FROM THE
EARLIEST TINES TO THE PRESENT DAY.
pp. xiv. 45S: xii. $S2 The Macmillan Company.
Colonization. ancient and modern. has been
discussed by many writers in special treatses
~ incidentally in general histories. There is a
vast literature on the subject. But most OF
these works treat Of colonization in special
epochs or by particular nations and 1t is not
easy TO obtain from them such broad view
of the progress Of colonization from age to age
and from nation to nation would enable one
to understand the general principles which nave
controlled it and have determined its FAILURE OF
success. Obviously there is just now an especlaI
need of a discussion of the matter from this
general point of view. This need MI MOTIFS
aims 10 satisfy He treats colonization as
special phase of human activity, and traces ITS
history from the earliest times TO the present.
giving with especial fulness the data which are
needed for a comparative study OF the coloniZing
labors Of different peoples and times The book
is written in an exceptionally clear and at
tractive style. and while popular in its aim il is
scholarly throughout.
Though the work is in substance, essentially
a narrative of colonial experiments and expert
ences Mr.. Morris keeps in mind everywhere the
underlying principles which the facts illustrate
and the important questions which they answer.
With the exception Of a discussion of the ideal
colony in the Introductory chapter there is II is
true little in these volumes that is theoretical
conclusions Of this sort are suggested rather
than explicitly worked out. But the facts are
marshalled with the express design Of showing
how, in special cases the general principles of
colonial policy have actually been developed.
and, in particular. the author endeavors TO de-
teruine 'the best methods as well as the effects
Of colonization, not only upon the lands thus
peopled and governed, but also upon the nation
undertaking such important labor" In the
consideration of each colonZing effort the causes
which led 10 ii and the objects which the colon
lists sought TO secure are investigated. The
method Of colonization. the system Of govern
nent applied the colony, the details of the
history of its development and the advantages
or disadvantages accruing to the mother state
from its colonial policy are then considered.
Finally, in cases where the colony has separated
from the parent state the causes Of the revolt
are studied and the subsequent relations of the
two states are explained. All these aspects of
the subject are carefully treated. and are album
danty illustrated by the details of the actual
history.
AS regards that history ITSELF Mr. Morris be-
gins with the reEnotest antiquity, and in the
first volume includes an account Of colonization
in ancient and in medieval times and of mod
Spanish, Dutch and French colonial expert
ences. The second volume is almost wholly de-
voted to English colonial history. a single chap
ter being devoted TO German, Danish and Italian
colonies and TO the Congo Free State. In fact,
one may say that English colonization is the real
theme of the book, the narrative of the expert
ences Of other nations serving mainly as COM
mentary upon it. The author says:
Englishmen to-day, as throughout the great
er part OF the nineteenth century, represent the
best type in the elaboration and application Of
methods of colonization. The chapters recount
states in considerable measure introduc-
tory to the narrative Of those Of England. Most
of the efforts heretofore made TO found enduring
colonial empires have proved futile, and in the
majority Of instances when misfortune over
whelmed others in their careers England
the gamer. To this extent the history OF her de-
relopment beyond the seas is the complement
of the annals Of her rivals; the losses sustained
by other nations were frequently to her profit.
Portugal, Spain, Holland and France by
their glories grow dina before the rising
light OF English supremacy.
In his account of England's colonial enter
prises Mr.. Morris covers the history of colonial
ton in North America with a special chapter
on Canada). India, Australia, South Africa. the
West Indies and East Indies. The key to Eng
lands success is given in the following passage:
on The ruins or others splendor England has
builded Taught by their errors and cautioned
by their reverses. the present mistress of COM
merce has endeaYored TO avoid the mistakes
and correct the wrongs Of her predecessors in
this line OF labor. The watchwOrd Of policy has
been: Construct, organize. never exhaust but
rather strengthen. the dependency, let il cost
the mother country what il may How different
from the doctrine Of Spain, which has elsewhere
been characterized as the profit of the parent
state at all hazards, whatever be the loss TO the
colony'i In this review ii viii inevitably appear
how in the course of time England has eXempli-
ned and practised the more rational principles
or colonization. One result Of this broad policy
Is that ''of all the temperate zones 50 per cent
belong TO Great Britain and the United States;
- per cent Of the whole is controlled by the
first named nation. Not only does England
cupy such vast realms but of the earth's sur
face she has pre-empted a goodly share Of the
best part
The volumes supplied with helpful foot
notes and valuable photography.