The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-10
The Federal Empire.

Mr.. Alpheus III. Shows book on The
Administration of Dependencies" COM
mented on at some length in yesterdays
editorial columns, is receiving considerable
attention from reviewers. Mr.. Edward
Cary, in the New York Times. says: THE
work of Mr.. Snow is very remarkable. lie
announces that 1t was undertaken only two
years ago, but the amount of labor re-
vealed by its contents cannot easily have
been accomplished in that time" The re-
viewer continues:
Fully to understand what the author
means by the Federal Empire his
volume must be read; 1t is a term
more capable of illustration than or
exact definition. The briefest definition Is
given in his Introduction. Its conception
is that of 1.-The empire as state COM
arated populations or states, Of which
state is the central government or en-
peror. The state so acting as the central
government or emperor-whatever be ITS
inner constitution, whether monarchfal,
oligarchial, republican, whether federal or
unitary-its called the imperial state. The
study OF the administration or depenoen-
cies is in fact, therefore, the study of tue
form and nature OF the modern empire
The words empire" and imperial state
are not agreeable TO most OF US. and per,
haps they are not the happiest that could
be chosen. But they must as far as pos
sible be Invested OF their earlier assocla-
lions If We are TO apprehend what Mr.
Snow would have them express. For one
thing he would especially and emphaticaily
reject the notion OF arbitrary rule that
they ordinarily convey. In his federal en-
pire the imperial state deals with the &C.
tendencies as a trust
1t will be seen that the essential idea OF
Mr. Snow is based on the evolution OF the
British empire. 1t is Impossible In the
Indicate, and that most summarily and I'm
perfectly, the general nature OF his idea.
The historical investigation from which IL
is induced and by which 1t is sustained Is
very broad and thorough. 1t Is by no means
confined to the experience OF the British
empire, but embraces comparative STUDY
of the experience of Germany, France and
Holland. 1t is, however, most careful and
illuminating in tracing the development or
the situation at the time of the revolutien,
and the various principles then discussed.
accepted or disputed, as bearing on She
ideas in the mind Of the founders OF the
American Union when the provision vas
made in the Constitution for the admins
tration Of dependencies. This field was. SO
far as We are aware, almost unexplored
when Mr.. Snow entered It, His labors in
1t are valuable first because they throw
much light on what the trainers OF the
Constitution actually meant to include In
that simple and brief and comprehensive
clause relating to the disposition OF me
United States and thus calculating the au-
thority conveyed by the clause. And they
are valuable still further since they do, as
of an organism then in its infancy. IL not
indeed in embryo, which within the last
century has become the most important in
the modern history of the civilized and un-
civilized world.
Unquestionaby the process which Mr..
Snow studies with such pains and penetra-
ton is to continue and expand. Whether
we like il or not, we are to be exposed TO
it's operation and TO share I'm Its effects.
An empire we have, and whatever its final
outcome, IL will not soon diminish and may
increase. To all right-minded Americans
the prospect brings not feeling OF vain
glory, but a sense Of tremendous RESPONSE
| bility This sense Mr.. Snow feels keenly
and intelligently. His effort is TO aid his
! country in discharging its obligations. His
| contribution is substantial. 1t has cost
| him very great toll, and IL has been at
tanned only by the careful and patient and
conscientious exercise OF rare mental qunli-
ties. He is entitled 10 the grateful appre-
citation of his countrymen, and they can
show IT in no way so well as I'm the atten-
tive study Of his extraordinary work.
The work is published by @. p. Putnam's
Sons New York.