The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-31
,ED ETRosPECT AND PROSPECT

is the title of series Of
studies in international rela-
tons, naval and political. by Capt. A. T.
Mahan, we'll known as writer on
both subjects. In fact, many of the
essays are already familiar to the pub
lie through their appearance in various
magazines, where they attracted general
attention.
There are eight of these studies al
together, and they are about evenly di-
vided between the two main subjects
of the book The conditions and history
of the naval expansion of the United
States, the questions affecting imperial
ism in the British empire, and in our
own country, the South African war. in
ternaticnal relations in the Orient, and
Admiral Sampson, all come in for {
share of attention.
Study of the Beer War
One of the most interesting of the
essays is The influence of the South
African War Upon the Prestige of the
British Empire The value of this
book, like that of many others of its
kind, lies chiefly in its correction of
the snap judgment of the man in the
street, through explanation of technical
reasons for the action which he con-
dennis. Captain Mahan is an adept in
the art of presenting a complicated sub
ject in such way that the average read
er can understand it, and he is par
ticularly happy in this essay and others
which deal with colonial government.
Those who have fallen into the error
Of imagining that general principles can
always be applied in their simplicity to
particular cases will have their ideas
Strengthened out by careful perusal of
the writings of such men as this author.
The shrewd comments which he makes
on the South African war are char
acteristic of his treatment OF such sub
jects. He says among other things:
Prejudice Against England.
From the very outset prepossession
stood ready upon the Continent. and
not only 10 rejoice over British re-
verses, but to draw from them quick
disparaging conclusions, affecting pres
tige, by the easy process of forgetting
fundamental conditions and dwelling
upon surface events. Precisely the
same disposition was entertained to-
ward the United States a year before, at
the beginning of our war with SPAIN
Again. he says, when discussing
specifically the subject of the Boer war:
Popularity of Conditions.
1.-The characteristic elements of this
war resulting from the permanent con-
ditions. irrespective of the conduct OF
the present hostilities and anterior to
their beginning, are IL the remote
ness Of the British base of operations
from the scene of fighting. contrasted
with the nearness CT the Beers; in
other words, the length of the British
lines OF communication; 81 the nature
and extent of the country over which
operations had TO be conducted; 80
the character of the hostile people, in
Guiding therein the advantage which
familiarity with a region and its con-
dit1ons, especially when sparsely set
tied. undeveloped, and consequently
imperfectly known, always gives TO in
habitants over invaders. All three par
ticulars, indeed, fall under the general
head Of communications. which. on the
strategic side at least. dominate war.
Instruction Not War.
These factors, GENEROUSLY adverse to
Great Britain. were and are permanent.
To them must be added a present con
sideration, bat which it was then per-