PREFACE IN these pages it will be my aim to point out broadly some of the new conditions and tendencies which ERRATA Page 222, line 9, for "creatures known" read "creatures unknown." 4, after "spirit of commercialism" follows "the 22, for "bodily" read "boldly." 17, for "breed" read "breathe." 5, for "tracts" read "re-acts." opment, "THE NEW AMERICA." put on, the new problems that have appeared, the new ideas germinating among the people, the new and unexpected developments for evil as well as for good of which her established institutions have been found capable." 1 PREFACE In these pages it will be my aim to point out broadly some of the new conditions and tendencies which appear to me to prevail in the United States, of America, in its external and domestic politics, in its commerce, its society, its literature. Commentaries on conditions which pertained a decade or two ago bear an almost ludicrous disparity to the facts of 1902; and no recent writer has been more keenly conscious of this embarrassing mutability than Mr. Bryce, who declared, in the opening chapter of his "American Commonwealth," that "America changes so fast that every few years a new crop of books is needed to describe the new face which things have put on, the new problems that have appeared, the new ideas germinating among the people, the new and unexpected developments for evil as well as for good of which her established institutions have been found capable." Enormous popular migration following on increased railway facilities; reform in politics and in the Civil Service; restriction upon free alien immigration; the growth of the system of commercial Trusts; the revival of the Monroe doctrine; the war with Spain; territorial expansion; an increased Army and Navy; the growing power of the federal administration; an enormous material prosperity; and a wholesale participation in the world's markets;-all these causes have, as may easily be believed, altered greatly the whole character of American society. Indeed, for the first time in her history, America shows a united front to the world which it were disingenuous for us not to acknowledge. Ten years ago the republic was split up into sections of opinion, each having little sympathy with the other; now the "solid South" is shattered; State rights are fast dwindling into the rights possessed by English counties, or at most, Crown Colonies; a standing army of 80,000 men has arisen, and a great fleet and mercantile marine are materializing. Briefly, it may be said that the States have been a century in labour, and have put forth a nation. In 1892 to have adumbrated the present rôle of America in Welt politik would have excited derision. Since that date, we have, however, seen an American |