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JOHN ARTHUR HOBSON, IMPERIALISM (1902) Since 1884 some three and three-quarter millions of square miles have been added to the British empire. Nor does Great Britain stand alone in this enterprise. The leading characteristic of modern imperialism, the competition of rival empires, is the product of this same period. The close of the Franco-German War were marks of the beginning of a new colonial policy in France and Germany, and to take effect in the next decade. It was not unnatural that the newly founded German Empire, surrounded by powerful enemies and doubtful allies, and perceiving its more adventurous youth drawn into the United States and other foreign lands, should form the idea of the colonial empire. During the seventies vigorous literatures bring up an advocacy of the policy, which took shape a little later in the powerful hands of Bismarck. The earliest instance of official action for the promotion of German commerce abroad occurred in 1880. But the definite advance of Germany opponents into realistic career began in 1884 with a policy of the African protectorates and annexations of oceanic lands. During the next fifteen years she brought under her colonial sway about a million square miles, with an estimated population of fourteen millions, almost all of these territories tropical, and the white population forms a total of a few thousands. Similarly, in France a great revival of the old colonial spirit took place in the early eighties. The extension of empire in the Senegal and Sahara in 1880 was followed the next year by the annexation of Tunis; and France was soon actively engaged in the scramble for Africa in 1884, while at the same time she was fastening her rule upon Tonquin and Laos in Asia. Her acquisitions since 1880 (exclusive of the extension of New Caledonia and its dependencies) amount to an area of over three and one-half million square miles, with a native population of some thirty-seven million; almost the whole territories is tropical or subtropical, inhabited by lower races and incapable of colonization. Italian aspirations took similar shape from 1880 onwards, though the disastrous experience of the Abyssinian expedition has given a check to Italian imperialism. Her possessions in East Africa are confined to the northern colony of Eritrea and the protectorate of Somaliland. Of the other European States two only, Portugal and Belgium, entered directly into the competition of the new imperialism. Spain may be said to have definitely retired from imperial competition. The large and important possessions of Holland in the East and West Indies, though involving in her in imperial politics in some degree, belong to older colonialism; she takes no part in the new expansion. Russia, the only active expansionist country of the north, stands alone in the character of her imperial growth, which differs from other imperialism in that it has been principally Asiatic in its achievements, and has preceded by a direct extension of imperial boundaries, partaking to a larger extent than any other cases of a regular colonial policy of settlement for purposes of agriculture and industry. The recent 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 the ancient Spanish Empire, not only adds a new formidable competitor for trading territory, but changes and complicates the issues. As the focus of political attention and activity shifts more to the Pacific States, and the commercial aspirations of America are more and more set upon trade with the Pacific islands and the Asiatic coast, the same forces which are driving European States path of territorial expansion seem likely to act upon the United States, are to a virtual abandonment of the principle of American isolation which has hitherto dominated her policy.