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Fraser's Scottish Annual
The British Empire and Necessary Changes


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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