Unfortunately a modified form of this method of exploitation is still common. Individuals from our own country often go to places like Mexico, get hold of the best natural resources, and make fortunes as quickly as possible with no thought of responsibility for the natives. So far as we do this we are harming our own country.
(2) Absolute Control.—Whenthe strong nations became convinced that mere exploitation of colonies did not pay, most of them adopted the method of absolute control. The purpose of this is to rule the colony in such a way that it shall yield the largest possible return to the mother country, but shall not be so oppressed that it becomes poorer. This is the commonest method at present. In some form it is pursued by practically all the colonizing powers to a greater or less degree. Where it prevails a nation rules its colonies arbi trarily, and the natives are given little or no share in the government. Fine public buildings are erected to impress the natives with the strength of the government; roads, railroads, warehouses, wharves, and other facilities for commerce are provided; and law and order are carefully preserved. The natives neither understand nor like such methods. Of course the degree to which the rulers control their subjects is not always the same. In the German colonies before the war, for example, everything was subject to the most strict and minute regulations "made in Germany." The French have followed this antiquated method less closely and their subjects are correspondingly better satisfied. The Dutch at first pursued the method rigidly in Java and other places, but like the other colonial powers they are learning that it does not pay. The Austrians tried it in Bosnia and Dalmatia, but it was not successful, and was one reason for the Serbian trouble in 1914.
(3) Self-Government: (a) The British Method.—A much better colonial method is that of the British. They have learned this method partly because of the high degree of self-control and will power which has always characterized the people of the British Isles, and partly because their strong colonies in cyclonic regions have taught them some stern lessons. Nations which have only weak, tropical colonies find them so easy to govern that they do not learn to respect the rights of others.
In their dealings with colonies the British emphasize three princi ples; (1) The government strives for absolute justice. The white man, no matter how superior he may feel, is made to observe the law in exactly the same way as the humblest tropical native, as many a traveler in India has been surprised to discover. Of course some serious mistakes occur, but the British colonial officials are chosen from the best men in the country and are filled with the idea that it is their duty to see that the natives have fair play.
(2) The British colonies have a voice in. their own affairs. From her experience with the American colonies Britain learned that this is the only way to prevent rebellion. Accordingly the present British method is to allow complete self-government in the more advanced colonies of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, and a considerable measure in more backward countries like India. So far has this process gone that the four colonies in cyclonic regions not only control their own internal affairs and even levy tariff duties against Great Britain, but have a part in international affairs as is shown by their seats in the Assembly of the League of Nations and their repre sentatives in foreign countries. Even India is fast progressing toward self-government, and already has a seat in the League Assembly.
(3) The British do not attempt to force their own civilization upon the natives, but merely offer it to them if they choose to take it. Hence the natives are not annoyed by minute regulations, and are allowed to live according to their own laws and customs so far as these are consistent with the general welfare.
The result of these three principles of colonial conduct is that millions of people in the British possessions are to-day extremely loyal to the empire. They pride themselves on being British subjects, and even full-blooded Hindus sometimes speak of England as "home." Germany expected that India would rebel during the Great War, but it enthusiastically sent troops and supplies to aid the Allies. Both in India and Ireland, to be sure, certain groups want full self-govern ment, but the vast majority of the British Empire want to retain their connection with the mother country.