BY ELI R. DEMING, CHICAGO, ILL.
THE Boer war has changed the
tactics of war for future generations. It has created new
ideas. It has convinced the Empire that diplomacy is preferable to
bullheadedness, even for pride's sake. The great nations of the world will
think before they declare war in future. It means commercial changes, and
while the conflict is going on other nations are after your trade. If once
lost it is hard to regain. If Great Bri- tam could estimate the loss
sustained through different sources on account of the war it would amount
to millions. We are becoming wiser. Many benefit from experience, others
do not. The war has proven that the soldiers and generals from the
colonies could fight the Boer better than the Briton, simply because he
was quicker to understand their tactics and quick in deciding how to act.
These are the most essential things in war and decide many a battle.
The Boer is a silent, surly being. Being secretive you never know his
thoughts. He is not open and free like the Briton. One soon knows the
Briton because he says what he thinks. The Boer does not, but awaits his
time and attacks one unexpectedly. Some call it treachery, others deceit
He has made trouble in the past and will in the future. Look out for him.
Watch the movements of the leaders. If a person fools you once be on the
lookout ever after, as the second time is more
disastrous than the- first.
The cheapest and best way to keep peace in South Africa is to colonize the
country with British subjects. Educate every person (white or black) in
the English language, laws and government.. Some people think if you keep
a conquered people in ignorance they are better citizens. This is a wrong
idea and may apply to South Africa, India or other parts of the Empire. An
educated person is worth more to any government than an ignorant one. He
creates new ideas, is a better farmer, businessman, manufacturer or
inventor, thus adding more to the country's wealth. If South Africa is
colonized with British subjects they will introduce English methods in all
things. There is sufficient land to give each soldier who took part in the
war 160 acres free. The government should furnish each farmer sufficient
stock and farming implements to start with. Each and every person
receiving government aid should be compelled to take an oath to ever
defend his country Or lose his property. A few millions spent now may save
many in the future. Something of the same nature may prove a blessing to
Ireland. Consider future results. Look beyond
the present. Colonize!
All Boers or Irish who travel in foreign countries, lecturing or working
secretly against the British government, should be classed as traitors and
forbidden to re-enter any part of the Empire. This law should be enforced
against everyone whether Boer, Irish or others. Every year one sees Irish
members of Parliament soliciting aid from Americans so they can antagonize
the British government. They have kept it up for years. The money they
receive is used to antagonize the government. At this writing they
collected ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in one evening in New York city.
By allowing such to occur, it has cost the British government millions of
dollars. This money is used to keep the people
tiried up. What would America say if the Fillipinos would travel through
England soliciting aid to fight their government? England has as much
right to assist Aguinaldo and his people as America has the Irish, or
Boers. This talk of poor Ireland is all nonsense. Ireland is more
prosperous to-day than England or Scotland. The Briton is not a deep
thinker, or would have seen through the Irish before this. By forbidding
members of Parliament, (Irish, Boer, or other subjects) to collect money
in foreign countries, you kill their future plans. The laws cannot be too
strict, nor too strongly enforced. Delay is dangerous.
"In unity there is strength," and if the British Empire had a central
government, in which the colonies could participate, it could add millions
to its wealth. No Empire grows strong which has not a government to make
laws for all parts. At present each confederation of colonies can make its
own tariff laws, and, if it wishes, can prohibit, or discriminate against
the Mother Country. This is a serious question, and may cause trouble in
future if steps are not taken to prevent it. On the other hand is Britain
with her Free Trade. She allows foreigners to flood her markets with their
goods. She fails to protect the colonies in any way on wheat, corn, beef,
pork or other farming products, of which Canada and Australia raise
sufficient to support the British Isles, irrespective of foreign
countries. By having an Imperial Confederated Government, it would be easy
to make commercial laws to govern the whole Empire, and that by not
changing any of the present ones. Let each colony, or confederation of
colonies, elect or appoint a certain number to
represent them in the Imperial Parliament, which would make laws for the
Empire only. Let each country retain its present form of government. Have
the Empirists or special representatives meet, as occasion demands, and
formulate laws for the Empire. Don't allow one set of colonies to
discriminate against the other. Make them one great United Empire,
commercially and otherwise.
What did Canada amount to before the Confederation? Not much! Byjoining
the colonies into one central government it has increased her wealth a
hundred fold. She makes her own tariff laws which build up manufacturing
industries, who in return put millions into circulation. If Australia
would stop quarreling, and unite on a similar plan, she would add millions
to her wealth. Both Australia and Britain can copy Canada's ideas with
profit; her tariff and patent laws, especially.
Canada pays the Governor- General $50,000.00 a year. If his
services were dispensed with and part added to the Premier's salary and
the balance used for the Em- f iris/s or special representatives it would
be more beneficial. As an investment it would add much to her wealth,
because she would have her say in the Empire's affairs. Throughout the
Empire there are many men who draw large salaries but are merely
figureheads. They do nothing to earn their salaries, only give
entertainments at great expense and keep the people in poverty to support
them. We are a great people; blind as bats; who will not pee. Never think
for ourselves; if so, afraid to express our views. If we did, brains would
rule instead of social standing.
One reason why Britain is losing her prestige is the
lack of enthusiasm among her people: if a bright idea is suggested by any
of her statesmen he is ridiculed for offering such. If this man is
determined and persists until he succeeds, then he is hailed as a great
man. It is a pity to see people ridiculing a man who possesses advanced
ideas and desires to benefit his fellowmen. The English people don't
appreciate Sir Joseph Chamberlain, nor the ideas he has advanced on
Imperial Confederation. If brains is a reward, he should have been Premier
years ago. We learn from observation that the brainiest men do not always
hold the highest positions, especially in Britain; if you are not of the
aristocracy, success is slow. England is also backward because she dotes
too much on the past. No improvements like other nations. Many things are
done the same as generations ago. While she is living in the past, other
nations are improving their opportunities and robbing her of millions
justly belonging to her. Others change according to the times. England
does not.
Free Trade will ruin any country in time. Britain is
commencing to feel the effects of it. Her manufactures are meeting the
competition of foreign products. Other countries unload their surplus on
the English market at a less price than they sell at home. The country of
Protective Tariff can do this and make money. If they are protected by a
duty of 30% to 50% they can sell at a higher price at home than the
foreign competitor, even to the exclusion of the foreigner, and if they
wish to sell in the Free Trade country markets, they go in competition
with them and can afford to undersell them, if necessary, to get the
business. You protect the manufacturer and he will do likewise to the
laboring man. If the manufacturer receives a good price for his product he
can afford to pay his help good wages, but if the foreigner is allowed to
come into his market and undersell him, he must close down, reduce wages,
or receive protection from his government, so as to keep out surplus
foreign goods. The progressive countries make fun of Free Trade, and
Britain is commencing to realise that to prevent her manufacturing
industries from being absorbed by America she must give Protection. The
Boer war debt could be easily paid by protective duties. The people
wouldn't realize it was being done. If an American Trust desires to
control the British market on a certain commodity what do they do? First,
they put the price so low that the English manufacturer can't compete in
price. Secondly, the Englishman can't retaliate because he has to pay high
tariff duties before he can sell his goods in the American market; the
result being, the American having the advantage of 30% to 50% in
protection, can afford to undersell the Briton and capture the business.
The American Tobacco Co. war is proof of what I say. This is being done
every day, and if it continues much longer America will control the
British markets. Such a thing means millions to the Rothschilds. They
can't afford to lose their prestige. Since the last tariff bill went into
effect in the United States, the stocks and bonds on Wall Street, New York
City, have advanced over five hundred million dollars. This is only one
city; what must it be for the entire country? Can London make a showing
equal to it? Free Trade England's stocks have depreciated instead of
advancing during like period. When will the Briton see the "Handwriting on
the wall?" Don't you see ruin facing many of your manufactories? Won't you
accept some of Canada's advice and allow her statesmen to assist you in
the struggle? Don't you see millions of dollars sent to other countries
each year for foreign products, which could be circulated at home if your
government protected your manufacturers so the merchant could buy at home?
Don't you see the wages of workingmen cut on account of competition?
Have you ever studied this question from all sides, or
do you prefer to worship past ages and gradually crumble like other
Empires ? You are independent of the world! Canada or Australia can raise
sufficient grain, beef, pork, fruits and vegetables to support the British
Isles. Why not put a man of brains at the head of affairs, one who knows
something and has his country's welfare at heart; one who is broad and
liberal and looks into the future; one who knows the workings of every
Colonial Government in the Empire. England won't take advice from great
men like Andrew Carnegie, who says she is losing her commercial prestige
and other countries are outbidding her, even in her own home. The
taxpayers receiving no benefit in South Africa for the millions he must
pay. Foreign countries are getting the business while Britain pays the
taxes. This is one of the curses of a country which advocates Free Trade.
The foreigner is made rich at the expense of the home producer. That is,
the home producer pays the taxes and other expenses for running the
government, while the foreigner sells his manufactured product in the
market, takes the money therefrom, leaving- it poor. This is the trouble
in both Britain and Australia to-day. Their resources are being drained to
help other countries. If there was a preferential tariff throughout the
Empire similar to that of Canada, then one part of the Empire could trade
with the other and be protected. The smart man realizes the force of this
argument.
Each generation should be an improvement over the
former. We should be original thinkers and improve each day. Progressive
people do this ; old fogies do not. All progressive people are readers of
human nature. The world is changing. So are the ideas of business, war,
religion and science. Many can look back twenty to thirty years and
remember how they thought on these subjects, which, if compared with the
present day, see many changes. The investigating thinker is continually
adding new ideas to his store of knowledge. In our Universities we have
Greek, Latin, and other dead languages, which are of little use in daily
life. Our graduates have plenty of book knowledge, but not much practical
knowledge. They know nothing of business life orsuch like. They know what
the philosophers of past ages said on certain subjects, but if you ask
them to solve a practical business proposition they can't do it. Their
book knowledge keeps them ignorant of the world's doings, as they live
within a small sphere and imagine the world revolves around them. When
these men meet practical thinkers, they fall. The practical man sees
deeper into things than the theoretical man. A proof of it was
demonstrated in the Boer war. England sent out her theoretical,
college-bred generals. What was the result? Theory and practice were
different. The Englishman had theory; the Boer practice. The latter knew
how the former would attack him, so planned accordingly. The Briton goes
on through life only seeing one side of things, which brings defeat every
time he comes in contact with those who have studied both sides.
If the colleges throughout the Empire would substitute
Commerce, Tariff, Phrenology, Physiognomy and the study of religions and
characters of other peoples, instead of dead languages and ancient
history, they would confer a blessing on humanity. What do you know of
America, Germany, Russia, China or Japan? These are nations you must
compete with in the world's commerce. How will you know their
characteristics unless you study them? If the time spent on dead
languages, dead empires, and ancient history, was spent on questions
pertaining to the great nations, some good would result. A new school
would be created. It would be the school of future thought and practical
education; of live issues, not dead ones; of live empires, not dead ones;
of present, not ancient history. Who can tell of the laws, tariff or
otherwise, governing other countries? What is the result of these laws?
Bow do they benefit their own countrymen? How nice it would be if our
college graduates could tell one all about such things, not theoretically,
but possessing an intelligent idea of each country and the characteristics
of its people. What do we know of the religions of the world? Who ever
compared the writings of Confucius with those of Moses, or the sayings of
Christ? We spend millions in trying to convert the Hindoo, Chinaman,
Japanese, and other Orientals, but seldom study their beliefs,
characteristics, or writings of their great men. This is the reason there
are so few converts. The Roman and Grecian Empires are dead. China and
other Oriental empires still exist. Why not devote one's time to the
living instead of the dead? These questions should stir the minds of all
great thinkers.
A prominent Usonian once said, "If you wish to get into
the good graces of an Englishman, just make him believe he is a great
man." We are making them believe Free Trade is all right. They swallow it
and we unload millions of our goods on their market every year. We are
becoming rich, they poor. This argument can be used on most every deal of
the American has with the Briton.
Parliament hasn't passed one important bill in several
sessions. This shows poor leadership. Every year the Irish take up most of
the time. The Briton does not study such things or it would cease. This
year it is the Educational Bill, which means one class are made slaves at
the expense of the other. Every man who pays tithes to support any church
other than the one he attends, is a religious slave. Christ never taught
slavery; He taught freedom and love. Great Britain has millions of slaves.
If you accuse a Scotchman or Englishman of being a slave he is indignant.
Nevertheless, there are thousands wearing the shackles, and if the present
Educational Bill is passed it means more hardships. One would think we
were living in the dark ages, to study these questions. One would also
think the Premier of Great Britain and Ireland would spent his time on
some important questions, such as commerce, tariff, etc. Religion has
caused more trouble and wars than all other causes. The curse of Europe
today is the lack of religious freedom. Most of the wars in the last two
thousand years have been on account of religion; in its name, but not in
spirit. Enslave your fellowman, is what some preach. This bill will do it.
The Educational Bill, or any other religious bill, is a curse to any
country. Europe is burdened with too much church and not enough of Christ.
Think of the future. Don't create more troubles. God knows you have enough
without making more. Why antagonize one class against the other? The State
church will receive the greatest benefit from the bill. It will allow
their clergy to live more in luxury. These sayings all have a deep
meaning. It is future results that tell. Such things frequently lead to
civil war. Compare the salaries of the different offices in the State
church with those of other churches, and see who should, and who does, the
most good. Who has the most converts? These questions can be solved by
going somewhat deeper into the subject.
Throughout the United States are thousands of
British-born subjects, more especially Canadians. The Canadian holds the
highest positions. He is at the head of banks, mercantile, manufacturing
institutions, etc. Such being the case why should he disown his native
country after being here a few years. His countrymen are the salt of the
earth, therefore he should he proud of his nativity. If these same people
were given as prominent positions in the British Empire, as they hold in
the United States, what advanced ideas would be spread throughout. Think
of the work in India, China and other parts. The Empire needs
regenerating; new blood and ideas to replace old; hundreds of millions
added to her wealth by these subjects in the way of development of
electric railways and such like in thickly populated countries.
If you want unity of thought, the Press is the best
medium. A united press can unify a people quicker than anything else.
There should be an Associated Press composed of the principal papers of
the Empire. The government should appropriate so much each year to help
support the same, especially for paying the cable bills. One part of the
Empire should know of the other, with London the centre. The press should
carry out the ideas contained in this article by giving concerted action.
The press of the United States is united; why not the same of the British
Empire? Most people think but never act. Let those who read this article
both think and act.
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