England has certainly done a great work of civilization, especially from the material aspect; but her work is one-sided.  All the colonies which are directly subject to English rule are primarily exploited in the interest of English industries and English capital.  The work of civilization, which England undeniably has carried out among them, has always been subordinated to this idea; she has never justified her sovereignty by training up a free and independent population, and by transmitting to the subject peoples the blessings of an independent culture of their own.  With regard to those colonies which enjoy self-government, and are therefore more or less free republics, as Canada, Australia, South Africa, it is very questionable whether they will permanently retain any trace of the English spirit.  They are not only growing States, but growing nations, and it seems uncertain at the present time whether England will be able to include them permanently in the Empire, to make them serviceable to English industries, or even to secure that the national character is English.  Nevertheless, it is a great and proud ambition that is expressed in Lord Rosebery’s words, and it testifies to a supreme national self-confidence.

The French regard with no less justifiable satisfaction the work done by them in the last forty years.  In 1909 the former French Minister, Hanotaux, gave expression to this pride in the following words:  “Ten years ago the work of founding our colonial Empire was finished.  France has claimed her rank among the four great Powers.  She is at home in every quarter of the globe.  French is spoken, and will continue to be spoken, in Africa, Asia, America, Oceania.  Seeds of sovereignty are sown in all parts of the world.  They will prosper under the protection of Heaven.” [E]

[Footnote E:  Hanotaux, “Fashoda et le partage de l’Afrique.”]

The same statesman criticized, with ill-concealed hatred, the German policy:  “It will be for history to decide what has been the leading thought of Germany and her Government during the complicated disputes under which the partition of Africa and the last phase of French colonial policy were ended.  We may assume that at first the adherents to Bismarck’s policy saw with satisfaction how France embarked on distant and difficult undertakings, which would fully occupy the attention of the country and its Government for long years to come.  Nevertheless, it is not certain that this calculation has proved right in the long-run, since Germany ultimately trod the same road, and, somewhat late, indeed, tried to make up for lost time.  If that country deliberately abandoned colonial enterprise to others, it cannot be surprised if these have obtained the best shares.”