Introduction Author(s): George H. Blakeslee Source: The Journal of Race Development, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Jul., 1910), pp.

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INTRODUCTION. By Dr. George H. Blakeslee, Clark University. of Race Development The Journal offers itself as a forum for the discussion of the problems which relate to the
progress of races and states generally considered backward

in their standards of civilization. It is not the organ of of school any particular thought; it does not even hold itself responsible for all of the statements of its contributors;
but it aims to present, by the pen of men who can write

with authority, the important facts which bear upon race progress, and the different theories as to the methods by which developed peoples may most effectively aid the prog?
ress weaker of the undeveloped. races may best It be seeks exploited, to discover, but how not they how may

best be helped by the stronger. The subjects treated will cover the whole field of a peo?
ple's social life?government, conditions. Africa and The the education, races and Far religion, industry states which will and be

most
East, nations The has

frequently discussed, will be those of India, the Near

civilization

is on a substantial
of

equality with

that of the

of the West. necessity during these countries better understanding the past few years, to be more generally

come, to

realized
part political believes tenance Africa. of India tions Colonel as

in Europe
the and that of her

and America.

This
of

feeling is due in
these lands Great in the Britain

increased economic her

importance life of the West.

the main? imperial position upon depends over her dependencies control in Asia and The of how best to govern the nations problem is only secondary in England itself to such ques? those of the budget and the House of Lords; while Roosevelt's recent discussion of the British admin

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GEORGE H. BLAKESLEE

istration in Egypt has aroused probably as wide an interest

not
policy task, tribes

long since, held a general

election

to determine

its

to-day, of the Congo. a severe defeat at misgoverned

Belgium's greatest a government for the fitted some twelve years ago, suffered of America Russia's because lust she had for control

the natives

of Cuba.

of the territory of Far Eastern peoples led to her reverses in the war with Japan, and resulted in the outburst of the
Russian races of Revolution.

The United
a less of Europe. ican history tion for the The

States has as fundamental

an interest

in

as have the powers civilization developed of Amer? to the years past seventy-five key some find to solu? is the continuing struggle

In still unsolved. negro problem problem?a accord? most the to-day, important questions foreign affairs, chief magistrate, of our own statement ing to a recent center about the for Pacific than of in the our Ocean?an part, own. are by ocean nations whose of coasts a more inhabited, culture peoples concerned the most

are

primitive All the deeply advance too much

the West present

in one way and condition races. Yet

or another the gradual it is hardly has the been no world? which those

of relatively to say that and

undeveloped up to the effort should most and

widespread race wide those who views tion. who

serious

there present to understand the and maintain

problem, are advanced in regard are those,

to determine

attitude towards

are backward. are held There

The

contradictory divergent to nearly of the ques? every aspect one on the that hand, who believe

or in China, whether every backward India, Korea people, some be governed the Congo, should by permanently on the other hand, there are those who be? power; stronger lieve that every race should be left entirely to itself, without so that aid or suggestion, own racial individuality. a means is to provide those who lems, by really It it may most perfectly develop of these of its

for the discussion have the interests

prob? the native

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INTRODUCTION

peoples at heart, as well as for a presentation

of the facts
or unaided,

It will de? that Clark University has founded this Journal. vote much of its space to the general subject of the control of dependencies, a field in which there has already taken place a profound change of feeling and belief. The old conception, once universally held, that dependencies might legitimately be exploited for the benefit of the controlling state?an idea which still dominates the colonial policy of such govern?
ments as Russia?has

idea of {the white man's burden/' a burden, which England seems to believe she is carrying in India, of ruling a land permanently in its own best interests, though against its wishes. This policy, in turn, is now giving place to that re? cently introduced by the United States in the Philippine Islands?the policy of controlling a backward people only so
long as it may be necessary to train them to carry on suc? cessfully opment lems. an efficient government. is by no means freed from prob? as colonizers the Dutch and the and railways?that carried they have

been

very

generally

superseded

by

the

But the state which has taken for its aim the rapid devel?
of a dependency Such experienced

English maintain
provement?the a community

that it is primarily through economic im?

of roads, bridges building to advance; is made and

out this idea in their administration of Java, India and The United States, on the contrary, insists that Egypt.
it is primarily by means of education?school and politi?

cal?that
progress. What not

a backward people
should

is enabled

to make

its best
is

so clear.

civilization, all, must Western the most now merely are race velop

be the aim of this race education, say that it is the acquisition claim and that all races, if they Some along have the of same great highway

however, of Western

journey

advance at over which

peoples advanced

emerging

reached in the twelfth

even already passed?that China, the so-called backward is states, from the scholastic age, which Europe

century.

Others
the

insist that
civilization propose institutions

there
of one to de? and

differences

between

of another; and, accordingly, the best of the native customs,

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GEORGE H. BLAKESLEE

ideals, and then upon this foundation add whatever may

plished. The century-long idea that the Christian Church, just as it exists inEurope and America, is to be transplanted without change to the soil of Asia and Africa, is now being
abandoned. There are writers, as well as missionary

is to be the real boards, who state that if Christianity faith of other continents, it must be so taught that the essence of the religion will become a vital part of the native
culture, and not be regarded as merely a foreign creed.

These are some of the broader problems to be discussed; they outline, too, the general field which the Journal aims to cover. Among the more definite topics will be: studies of the character of the colonial administration of different
nations, backward nomic a comparison of the methods used to advance eco? such as schools, the civil service, peoples, of The work Christian and industrial improvements. and aims will and methods and evangelization The problems scrutinized. of

missions?their of instruction?will of

be especially for the record of social evo? be emphasized, eugenics of sound stock the immense lution shows clearly importance of races and nations. in the survival may vitality Superior races of to-day the world leaders make the backward tomorrow. prejudice, present ture, ward best We Other race or latent industry races subjects assimilation, to race will relate presented race intermarriage; and to the

in art, litera? of native capacity peoples and government. in short, The Journal,

will be open to all that pertains

to the condition of back?

for that which that there

sincerely and Jouenal; which support become of Race

for such a is a place is strengthened this belief by the enthusiastic it has already from those who have received We trust that the Journal editors. its contributing believe Development may

at least, aid, in some degree, in so educating for the that it shall secure public opinion, a of weaker treatment marked civilizations peoples by and wisdom and sympathy. greater continually justice

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