PROBLEMS OF COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION 413 



general civilization of the world new and rare treasures, than to be 

 treated as unworthy savages fit only for work as beasts of burden 

 and for an apish imitation of European forms. 



When we consider the specific basis of a colonial policy with re- 

 spect to the native races, we shall see that it rests upon a foundation 

 composed of a few simple economic principles. In such an investiga- 

 tion it becomes clear that while Western societies in their contact 

 with the natives of Africa and Asia will be able to accomplish certain 

 useful results, they are, on the other hand, attempting many things 

 which it will be impossible to attain under the present methods. The 

 one indisputable blessing which Western nations are bestowing on 

 primitive races is that of peace. This is the greatest achievement of 

 the European regime in India and in Africa. The terrible inter- 

 tribal warfare and the bloody raids organized by Arab slave-drivers 

 in Africa have largely been put an end to and have given place to 

 more peaceful ambitions. In connection with this, a civilizing 

 colonial policy will also improve the general conditions of life. The 

 introduction of a scientific medical service and of advanced princi- 

 ples of sanitation is a primary duty of colonial administration. The 

 most fundamental conditions of life being thus assured, it is neces- 

 sary that mobility of the elements in economic action and free mutual 

 intercourse be made possible by the opening-up of routes connecting 

 the various regions and making them accessible to the populations 

 of one another. The construction of roads and railways is therefore 

 one of the most potent agencies of civilization. In that way alone 

 is the penetration of the methods and products of civilization to 

 the interior regions made possible. In order to provide for improve- 

 ments such as these as well as to undertake lines of industrial devel- 

 opment which surpass the capacity of the natives, it is necessary 

 that capital should be invited to participate in the development of 

 new regions and that such investments should be rendered as safe 

 as possible. The native population should be trained in industrial 

 pursuits as well as in the arts of agriculture so as to utilize the natural 

 resources without exhausting or destroying them. The substitu- 

 tion of intensive methods for the exhaustive barbarian exploitation 

 which is now the rule throughout Africa as well as in other undevel- 

 oped regions of the world is the essential purpose of the civilizing 

 policy. 



But when we come to the higher elements in civilization, in- 

 tellectual culture and religion, the road is not so plain nor is it at 

 all certain that an attempt directly to influence the more primitive 

 races will at first be successful. In this connection we must again 

 remember that we are dealing not with individuals, but with societies, 

 and that it is impossible to change the complexion, the character, 

 and the morale of a society by giving a certain intellectual education 



