Two Lessons in Colonial Rule

Abstract

ONE of the outstanding problems in the world today is the relation of advanced and primitive peoples. The problem has many aspects; but perhaps its most concrete form is found in the field of colonial government. Should the colonial powers cut their colonial possessions adrift, or should they relentlessly resist any demands for freedom? Should they attempt gradually to prepare their wards for self-government? And if so, what means should be taken to realize this end ? The avowed theory of every colonial power, including the United States, is that its native wards should be trained for self-govern ment. The task has usually proved discouraging. The more au thority accorded the people on the spot, the more they protest against their rulers. And today, whether in the Philippines or in Porto Rico, whether in India or in French Senegal, wrestling matches are in progress between the administration which is re sponsible to a far-away central authority and the legislature which is responsible to a native electorate. The British have showed, in parts of the world at any rate, a peculiar genius in meeting the colonial problem. Because of their own domestic history and characteristics they have not carried with them to far-away dominions any constitutional or philo sophical preconceptions of what should or should not be done. Pragmatists and common lawyers, they have been accustomed to meeting each problem as it arose, and have attempted to find a solution which for the moment best satisfies the conflicting inter ests involved. Within recent years, however, they have realized that while each problem must be decided upon its own merits, the cumulative effects of a policy of makeshift may be disastrous. They are coming to take a longer view.