The Dominion. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1914. PRINCIPLE OF NATIONALITY

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2255, 15 September 1914, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 1914. PRINCIPLE OF NATIONALITY

When the war is over and the time comes for rearranging the map, the claims of nationalism are sure to receive the sympathetic attention of the Allies." A letter recently appeared in the Russian Press urging that an endeavour . should be made to "satisfy the legitimate aspirations of every nationality." and the fact that a summary of this letter should have been cabled round the world may be taken as an indication that there is a good deal of weight behind this contention. A similar view is put forward .by Me. Winston Ohuechill in an address at' a recruiting meeting in London, a report of which appeared in yesterday's issue. Mr. Chuechill declared that "whatever we do, we shall fight for the freedom of those races who have been subjected and conquered." Even more definite and emphatic than these two significant pronouncements is the Bolomn promise of the Tsar to reestablish the national life of the Poles. Ho has stated that he will reunite the sections of Poland which are now included in the Russian, German, and Austrian Empires, and form them into a self-governing State. This would be a- veritable resurrection for Polish nationalism. The letter to which' reference has already been made states that "the hundred years' fight, for .the principle of nationality must finish with a decision free frotn all, compromise and therefore final." It is just about a century since the Congress of Vienna'rearrangcd' Europe after the close- of the Napoleonic wars. _ The neglect of the principle of nationality on that occasion prevented the settlement then made from being a lasting or satisfactory. one. Referring to the way in which the Congress sot nationality at defiance in rearranging the boundaries of tho different countries affected, ,Lokd Morley states that "the ■ despots whom the national spirit had enabled to overthrow the French captain instantly, took in hand the extinction of all the light and sacred fire of that very spirit." If the Allies should provo victorious in the present struggle, as we firmly believe they will, this mistake is not likely, to be repeated. Great weight will almost certainly be given to the claims of nationality when the readjustment of boundaries is under consideration, though in some oases, compromises may prove unavoidable. The problem of the balance of power and other things will have to receive due attention. It is. not always possible to attain the ideal in these matters. An absolutely perfect regrouping may not be practicable, and. the coming Congress may not be able' to satisfy every national aspiration; but nationality will probably be ono of the fundamental principles upon which the new settlement will be based. Alsace and Lorraine will, of course, be reunited to France; the Poles would once more become a nation in accordance with the Tsar's promise; a more, permanent and satisfactory grouping of the various .races included in Austria-Hungary may be expected, while • something might he. done to arrive at'a more rational racial and religious settlement in the Balkans.

The., spirit of nationality is a factor in human affairs which cannot be lightly passed over. There aro different types of humanity. One race'differs from another .in colour, or language, or bodily structure, or mental and moral qualities. Different races have different ideals and aspirations, manners, and customs, and standards of living. When a British sailor was asked what he meant by. a Dago, he replied that "Dagoes is anything wot isn't' our sort of chaps." This , is a real, though crude airs imperfect, expres : sion of the- spirit of nationality, and it is not far romoved from the idea, of the ancient Greek who divided the world into two sections—Greeks and Barbarians. We may calMt prejudice when expressed in this extreme form, but we cannot ignore its influence. During the .last century there hoa boon a. marked revival of nationalism. In his book, entitled Science and the Human Mind, . Mr. Whetham remarks:.

If we ooinparo the-attitude of miiid of 1860 with that of to-day, we mark tho difference. At that date tho tendency was to a complete utilitarianism. A businesslike constitution, • whose every part had its direct economic use, was tho ideal. I'liß monarchy was on interesting survival of a barbarous past, which few wished forcibly to remove, but for which few ventured to forctoll a prolonged oxistoiico. Tlio colonies wore somowluit useless and expensive encumbrances, which might almost bo encouraged to "cut t]io painter." Colour and k'°w woro passing , out of publio life, .and (trey, useful uni- 1 formity was spreading over all.

A great change has taken place sinco those days. The idea of nationality has been rediscovered. As Mb. Whetham points out, it was found to appeal to sontimeni., and to have driving force behind it. It was found that -"tho golden link of tho

Crown" stood for a corporate ideal of the State which gained real strength thereby. "Colonies ceased to be regarded as unprofitable branch,.establishments, and became the-Dominions Overseas where lay the homes of our kith and kin. Coronations regained their old splendour, and jubileea were invented to supplement them." The magnificent unity of the Empire at the present critical moment in its history is one of , the results of this revival of the British national spirit. Attention has frequently been drawn by competent observers to a similar revival of nationalism in France, and since the Japanese War renewed life has been put into, the national hopes and idoals of Russia. A proper feeling of confidenoein and enthusiasm for one's own nation is a thoroughly healthy thing. It is .quite consistent with due respect and • friendship for other nations and for humanity as a whole. National sentiment is a- great and growing force, and it cannot with safety be_ treated as non-existent. ' The world is'learn;ing that the heart plays as big a part in human life as the head, and that instinct is in some respects greater than reason. If people'are to live together In peace and contentment in the same State, they should have as many things as possible in common. They should be united by the same language and literature, and influenced by the same hopes and ideals. If, therefore, the new settlement in Europe is to be a stable one, it must be based upon the fullest possible, recognition of the principle of nationality.