New-York tribune., 1905-07-09

Several OF the papers comprising this volume
were commented upon editoriaIly by The Trb-
rne at the time of their separate publication
tor they were full OF valuable suggestions for
the shaping Of our colonial policy. Even where
Mr. Ireland's ideal of achievement is entirely
different from that which prevails in this coun-
try. he clearly analyses tendencies and 50
fcrcibly lays hold upon practical problems that
he forces Americans to realize the difficulties
of their undertaking. even though they persist
in the attempt to educate Asiatics into self
government on Western lines instead of bein,
content TO give them order and material pros
perity as permanent dependents.
One of Mr.. Ieand's basic principles is the
incapacity of the tropical native for the de-
velOpment of a high civilization for himself or
the maintenance of European standards once
acquired when the guiding hand of the white
race is removed. He likewise puts aside all
scruple about subjecting primitive people u
foreign domination. By natural temperament
and the habit of a thousand years the tropical
rative is fitted for despotism. Left to him
self. he will not, and cannot. direct his own gov
ernment, but falls prey to external force.
whether it be that of Tartar invader or OF
some unusually enterprising fellow embarked in
a career of ladrOnism. Bad as some European
colonial rule has been. it has been wise, liberal
and benehcent in comparison with the lest
native government that it replaced At the
same time Mr.. Ireland is far from advocating
the attempt to recast Asiatic society in West
ern mOulds- Though firmly believing that order
and prosperity can only be achieved under
European domination. he is opposed to the
unnecessary introduction of alien laws AMI
methods and the attempt to exercise intimate
administration, except through the old estab-
hshed agencies. The Iawmaking power shouII
be in European hands The higher executive
and judicial powers should be exercised to-
gether through the person of a European, Who
like the native ruler. commands respect and
directly redresses wrongs But all the minor
work of tax gathering and keeping order should
be performed in the accustomed way through
village headmen responsible for the condition
of their districts
From this point OF view the author reviews
the operation OF British colonial government in
hong Kong, Borneo. Sarawak. Burma the Fed
Grated Malay States and the Straits Settle
ments; the French achievements in Indo-China
and the Dutch work in Java. He then devotes
the final third of his volume to the consideration
o. Philippine problems in the light OF other
tropical experience. Each one of these British
French and Dutch colonies presents features Pc
culiarly its own. but their failures and sue
cesses as presented by Mr.. Ireland all seem to
confirm his theory Of Asiatic needs and limi-
tations. 1t is curious to observe that one
British colony is American in origin. The SOW
ereign rights OF the greater portion Of what is
now British North BOrneo. just across Balabac
Straits from our own Philippines were ac-
quired from the native sultan in 1863 by an
American, who organized the American Trad
Ing Company of BorneO. which held the terri
tory until 1877, when it sold out to two Hong
Kong merchants, who secured a British char
ter from Mr.. Gladstone for the revival OF CO.
lcnial policies which 1t was supposed wers
dying out under Liberal disapproval
MIR. Ireland defends the American ACQUISITION
or the Philippines the inevitable result OF
conditions at the close OF the Spanish war;
Nevertheless. he is sharp in his criticism Of
what he thinks the blunders OF the government
In dealing with Aguinaldo. He believes the IN
surrection could have been avoided by ordinary
prudence. and that. when once begun Il was
allowed TO drag through the error OF trying to
conquer more territory than could be firmly
held The policy should have been to occupy
central zone and establish favorable condi-
uons. and work outward. instead OF sending
columns through the hills in search OF armed
oahds' NO village should have been occupied
which could not be permanently held. because
untI the natives could be protected In allegiance
ana secured against reprisals occupation merely
invited hardship. doubt and disaffection
The author is skepticaI about the educational
hAT 6nWRz