THE TWO IMPERIALISMS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] • Sur,—I was greatly interested in the above able and suggestive article in the Spectator of May 10th, and sympathise with what I take to be the object of the writer,—to show that the Imperial efficiency of a nation must in the long run depend on its moral efficiency. But I cannot help thinking that the historical props with which the writer endeavours to support his argument are not very secure ones. My own conviction— perhaps not a very logical one—is that the acquisition of Empire has little or no connection with the moral efficiency of the conquering race or with the existence of any moral purpose in the minds of their rulers, but that the retention of Empire does depend on whether the conquerors can put their rule on a moral basis. In most conquests we see the principle of ," Might is right" ruthlessly applied ; but the conquerors must turn might into right by proving their moral superiority to the conquered, otherwise their dominion is short-lived,— witness the rapid decline of Greater Spain and the collapse of the Napoleonic regime.—I am, Sir, &c., 15 Hellmorton Road, Rugby. C. P. HASTINGS.
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