The Washington times., 1902-03-16
THE MASTERY OF THE PACIFIC" "R Arhha!a 3 coe4houn:

A NEW book by Archibald r. Colqu-
n houn is something of an event.
1 "A and his latest work, '"The Mas
terry of the Pacific" is likely to
prove quite as interesting to students OF
public affairs as the two other volumes
which have come from his pen in the last
three years. In Overland to China" and
China in Transformation" Mr.. ColQuhoun
dealt with the Chinese question and the
people of China. He has now taken a
wider field for observation and comment
no less than all of the territories which
border on the Pacific Ocean and are likely
TO influence the development of Oriental
Pacific countries.
This, like the Chinese problem. is a
subject of which the average American
reader knows very little, but in which he
is, il not intensely interested. at least
as interested as he is likely to get in any
International problem that does not mean
immediate war. As Mr.. Colquhoun We
raciously. though unfatteringly. observes.
there are but few persons who have writ
ten on the Philippine problem who really
know much about 1t; and whenever and
wherever a voice speaks with authority 1t
behooyes us to listen.
That the present author has this au
thority there is every reason to believe.
His treatment of the subject Is proof
enough OF that. He was formerly deputy
commissioner in Burma; he has been ad-
miaistrstor of Mashonaland. South Africa;
he has the gold medal of the Royal Geo
graphical Society: and he has been for
some years special correspondent of the
London Times" in the Far East. These
are not empty distinctions. and, espe-
cially when taken in connection with
49,
Mr. CoiQuhoun is possibly the best au-
thority among all OF the people who have
handled the Far Eastern problem In print.
The book is fully illustrated with
photographs, maps. and sketches which
add to its interest for the general reader.
The Struggle for Supremacy.
1t is the belief of Mr.. Colquhoun that
The great struggle for world supremacy in
the twentieth century will take place
within the boundaries OF the Pacific. In
view Of this fact, he argues that it is the
duty OF England and America, especially,
TO be thoroughly informed as TO the char
acter of the people, their capacity for
self-government. the form Of government
best adapted to their needs, the COM
mercial possibilities of the islands and
countries in and about this great arena
of commerce. and, in short, the interna-
tfOnal situation as u exists there. Incl
dentalIy IL might be noted that this seems
TO be one more of the numerous attempts
which have recently been made by indi
vidual Britons to establish a better un-
derstanding between the two great
branches Of the English-spe>king race.
OF necessity the historical and other
accounts of the various countries are
considerably abbreviated, but the things
which the author has been obliged to
leave out can be found in encyclopedias
and other works of reference. whereas |
some OF the things he has put in could |
not. He takes up. first. the general his
tory OF the Pacific; then the United |
States and its influence there, and the |
Philippine question; then Great Britain's |
influence as shown in Australasia. Can
ada. Hongkong. and North Borneo. then
the Dutch colonies in Java; then Japan
and her colonies; and finally Germany,
France, Russia. and China, as these have
affected the history Of Pacific develop
ment.
The Real Filipino.
The part of the book which deals with
the Philippines. and the authors carefully
worked out conclusions on colonial gov
ernment, are probably the chapters which
will be OF most Interest to Americans. Ho
takes I'D tie various native tribes Of the
somewhat in detail. and gives
numerous interesting facts about their
history and customs. 1t may be remarked
Ia passing that the ideal Filipino OF Mr..
Hoar and his co-thinkers. and the real
Iii1ipipQ Of Mr.. Colquhouns book. are u