AFRICA : Egypt. Shell—Royal Dutch.
To-day, on all the trade routes of the globe, Britain, if she pleases, can duplicate her coaling stations with oiling stations. She no longer has to fear an American monopoly. In the matter of liquid or solid fuel for her merchant marine and her navy, the British Empire retains her inde pendence. Still better, she is in a position to impose upon others the stranglehold from which she has managed to extricate herself.
It must be admitted that the entire production of the Anglo-Dutch combination does not reach one-third of that of the Standard Oil. But the oil lands of the United States are being rapidly exhausted ; according to American esti mates, their total supply does not exceed 7,000 million barrels, while the rest of the world possesses 53,00o million ; and the bulk of these reserves Britain by this time has secured for herself. Already her business men are announc ing that the day will soon come when the American fleet will be dependent upon British oil. The wheel will then have turned full circle ! Ten years ago Britain possessed no oil, to-day she is independent, to-morrow she will be mistress. The foundation of her Empire—her coal deposits —had seemed to shake, but they have been strengthened by a fresh monopoly, and the very force which threatened to bring the whole edifice down in ruins is destined to consolidate and strengthen it.
The feat has been accomplished by the silent efforts of a few men such as Sir Marcus Samuel, chairman of the Shell Transport, Lord Cowdray, head of the Pearson group, Lord Curzon, formerly Viceroy of India, and Professor Sir John By the combination of technical know ledge, business experience, and diplomatic skill, they have succeeded, in the most unfavourable circumstances, in quietly carrying out a great and far-reaching scheme. They have planned boldly, followed up tenaciously, and seized the right moment for decisive action, thus giving an admirable example of what may be achieved by a few men of genius at the head of a great Empire when they are put on their mettle. Their success is com parable with the great triumphs of the Roman Senate in its palmiest days ; and later, when all its consequences are realised, it will be the wonder of the Montesquieu and the Machiavelli of the future.