The military view of the empire 1870–1899: As seen through the journal of the royal United Services institution

Abstract

In this second pan of Paul Adams’ article he continues to look at the issue of empire as reflected in the RUSI Journal from 1870 to 1899. He highlights the absence of interest in the strategic significance of other colonial powers while even many of the areas within the British Empire rarely got a mention in this period. In contrast to this was Canada and Australasia—there was a steady stream of articles on these areas, assessing their place in the system of imperial defence. The idea of improved defence co‐ordination towards an imperial federation was voiced but in practice little was done to realise this aim. And while imperial federation seemed tantalisingly close to happening, a Russian advance in India also seemed constantly on the verge of being realised, the probability of which was seriously assessed in the Journal. Adams concludes that, despite the lack of war with a European opponent since 1856, and almost constant colonial campaigning, to most officers it was imperial warfare that was considered abnormal.