larger extent than in the other cases of a regular colonial policy of settlement for purposes of agriculture and industry. It is, however, evident that Russian expansion, though of a more normal and natural order than that which characterises the new Imperialism, came definitely into contact and into competition with the claims and aspirations of the latter in Asia, and was advancing rapidly during the period which is the object of our study.
The entrance of the powerful and progressive nation of the United States of America upon Imperialism by the annexation of Hawaii and the taking over of the relics of ancient Spanish empire not only added a new formidable competitor for trade and territory, but changed and complicated the issues. As the focus of political attention and activity shifted more to the Pacific States, and the commercial aspirations of America were more and more set upon trade with the Pacific islands and the Asiatic coast, the same forces which were driving European States along the path of territorial expansion seemed likely to act upon the United States, leading her to a virtual abandon- ment of the principle of American isolation which hitherto dominated her policy.
The comparative table of colonisation (page 369), compiled from the Statesman’s Year Book for 1900 by Mr. H. C. Morris,[1] marked the expansion of the political control of Western nations in 1905.[2]
The political nature of British Imperialism may be authoritatively ascertained by considering the governmental relations which the newly annexed territories have held with the Crown.
Officially,[3] British “colonial possessions” fall into three
