g dominions, or we may enter into a close association with
the British Empire, converting it gradually into an Anglo-American
Dominion.

The first method is the more obvious but also the more dangerous. To
secure a semi-economic, semi-political control over all North America,
south of the 49th parallel, to rule the Antilles and islands in the
Pacific, to control in part the policy of China, might be possible
without a British alliance. But any further imperialistic development
would meet with opposition. Almost all the valuable countries have
been pre-empted. To absorb Canada, to conquer Australia or New
Zealand, would mean relentless war against us by England and perhaps
other powers. Such a conflict, though undesired, is not impossible.
Even if it is not true, as one Latin-American writer confidently
prophesies, that "the disintegration of the Anglo-Saxon Empire will be
the work of the United States,"[3] there may {156} come many industrial
or commercial conflicts which in an imperialistic atmosphere may lead
to war. A policy of encroachment cannot but be dangerous.[4]

A more secure road to American imperialism lies in a closer union with
the British Empire. At present such a union would be opposed by an
overwhelming majority of Americans. In certain circles, however, there
is a perceptible movement towards an agreement with England which might
become an alliance and eventually a union.

For such a union there are strong arguments. The kinship in blood, the
similarity in language, traditions and points of view as well as a
certain range of common interests tend to bring these two nations into
closer relations. It would be a step towards a world-peace if the
United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, South
Africa, Canada and Newfoundland were to be guaranteed against war among
themselves. The chance of peace is probably increased when the number
of possible conflicts between nations is lessened.

Unfortunately many who desire an Anglo-American alliance or union think
of it only as a means of protecting rights, the defence of which would
mean a circumscription of the rights of other nations and in the end a
world war. Writing over twenty years ago, Captain Mahan extolled the
idea of such an alliance (although he held it to be premature) on the
ground that with a strong navy the United States could help England to
control the seas. He deprecated the proposal that the coalition should
sur