© 2007 Institute of Current World Affairs
The Institute awards long-term fellowships to develop a deep understanding of an issue, country, or region outside the US and to share that understanding with a wider public.
Institute of Current World Affairs - Home Page

Below is a hobbled text version of a PDF document.
In order to read the actual document please click the link below and register if necessary.
(One-time registration is free and very quick.)
Read article

12/29/1949 - Colonial Service Impressions, Oxford by John B. George

JBG Colonial Service Impresslons Oxford INSTITUTE OF CURRENT WORLD AFFAIRS Long Street Oxford England B Dcember Mr Walter S Rogers Institute Current Norld Affairs Fifth Avenue Ne York Ne York Dear Mr Rogers Inside thevarlous branches Bodleian Library especially Rhodes House where there volumes concerned mainly Empire Commonwealth affairs number Col onial Service officers books strain their alongside indigmnous species Oxford scholars Gathered University colonies protectorates these officers spend brief tours assigned colleges presum obtain objective stratospheric organism which routinely serve outer appendages They attend lectures professors history economics itics anthropology lengthily government reports white papers other research material which siderations availability denied while actually Job They discuss small class groups problems local Central government native educa proposed native participation government above general future Coaonwealth The officers scholarly appearing types greater number their shall identifled general graduate students They perhapsmore conscious other Oxford conflict between Academic Practical sides government politics Because other myriad types service crowd graduate facilities University difficult identify Colonial Service officer first glance But physical appearance afford basis guess Some there shade faint residual after weeks English winter Sometimes there yellowness Jaundice atabrine dosage Generall there milltary bearing stride since current recruited military In instances identifying might tropical health spotty baldness fungus infection fever color amebic lllary dysentery But often reverse Colonial Service officer largely background enforced outdoor wherefood rationing negll gible looks better health Englishman And higher salaries exemptlon privilges automobiles dress austerely JBG While ordinary graduate student Oxford tends attempt widen circle acquaintances broadly Colo Service group remains generally social entity itself Officers their wives renew friendships others their colonial areas occasions Colonial Service people large their deliberately relations Oxford residents outside This associated Fractcal Academic argument The Colonial Service Club conveniently situated Rhodes House provides center activity bachelor quartersfor portion officers There lounge drinks popular prices small library important books documents The lounge conversation before dinner lacks sparklln standard cocktails easier edgewise Jokes funny The subjects greatest interest level humor those would expect group American business offlcers A means excesslve amount drunk At dances given Club tails black exception larger amounts consumed still This group people which I thought tractive lkabl eglnnlng representative Colonial Service The information seems indicate their opinions candidly expressed could provide basis explaining acertalnln6 eneral attitudes Service personnelentre At accretion facts seems opinions Colonial Service personnel general Commonwealth issues could important especially generally District Officer level As I understand District Officer instrument application Colonial policy districts broad discretionary powers I apathy Intransigence could sabotage pervert intentions higher Through listening reading class papers class discussions informal conversation among officers I heard enough comment attitudes evinced Perhaps headings general problems concerning British today I think Colonial Service classmates about I Int C mmonwea The attitude seems traditional faith sometimes rather hidden superficial cynicism expressions defeatism Officers quick admit factor British military could Empire inside single security system That today Russian overlooks JBG Europe while American naval power fills Pacific fully realize situation which exerts strong influence against continued Commonwealth unity Australia Canada United States protection India actions cramped location perimeter Soviet expansion The result decline Commonwealth interdependence accompanied heavy increase obligations member states powerful nations Commonwealth concede Commonwealth unity contingent Gpon ccntlnued world peace favorable world economic atmosphere The existance United Nations regional alliances those formed Atlantic Pact encroaches Commonwealth functions security economic cooperation tendsto weaken Commonwealth bonds proportion The Common Wealth nations members outside organizations drawn family MY classmates enumerate ntena centrifugal influences which older perhaps stronger external forces They difficult problems uniting multi cultural multi raclal geographically scattered portion world population effective cooperative They discuss issue their cultural unfitness citing psychological obstacles union which arise inevitably insists retaining cultural thnic purity refusing alter social mores intermarry freely associated races But after painted complete picture defeat friends rebound characteristic British aplomb canvas backside All these disadvantages wholly unmitigated The American Soviet power forced Commonwealth nations Junior partnership regional security basis demonstrated through attendant unpleasant contact U S U S R military factions little regard these powerful nations actually feelings neighbors The emergence United Nations Atlantic Alliance continue reverse cutting The UN proved itself arena power politics where became evident weaker nations likely trodden struggle giants Such relationships story provided lessons value remain Ing Commonwealth family against going world alone The backside canvas portrays family group sundered while understandable reaction against stern parental authority reunited basis improved equallty This these hopes cherish They support thesis arguments expressed everything blunt economic statistics mystical patriotic expressions about Drake If I guess I sounded convincing It inter esting impression stands after I grass roots Reardi_ n_the Proble msof_a_ Hulti Rac_ia Here again classmates admit enormity Common wealth again freely confess unfitness England partlsan moderator uniting agency They appreciate fully claim apparent Incom patabillty various ethnic groups often geogrphlcally economically Juxtlposed among thplan foster increasing cooperation They economically disadvantageous Hindu Moslim partition India reCent racial disturbances Africa between Indians natives ostensible proof basic incompatibility But point advance series relatlve argunents intended underline words apparent ostensible state firmly though England poorly equipped moderator unifier least equipped other natlon especlally experience colonial administration general diplomacy The logical deduction essential world therefore performed England through disastrous experience another world British civil servant In colonies derive emotional incentive If union succes sfully completed result effective Commonwealth organizatlon embracing races religions basis might vided enduring world peace eventua World Order There point pride knowledge British government studied heavily native cultures employed social anthropolgists observe tribal custom assigned experts administration appraise anthropoligists findings suggest institutions British government might applied This backed history achievement British scien tists ngineers roving general health produc tivity colonial areas The Colonial Service officer believes experierce gaine valuable least ithas provided store knowledge concerned ethnic groups their socletles which superior other nation today He thinks knowledge despite obtalnance during period repugnant authoritar control provides logical means melioratlng current racial tensions Having heard these serious expressions I inclined attention surface attitudes cynicism defeatism In relative terms terms meaning astute Britisher overall multi racial problem without leaven And I referring traditional British faith their policy always eventu muddle through They holding reserve whene Moslims Nindus Natives Kenya settlers begin killing wholesale JBG Reard thec_onflic_t ofDemocr_a_cY rsPsEfflc There seems doubt average district officer conflict exist least short colonies The introduction estern democratic ideas humanitarianism individual rights automatically sacrificed measure efficiency immediate materia listic sense rendered administrator difficult In districts course confessed authoritarian methoos still obtain behind democratic facad This admits measure hypocrisy government administra seems generally regarded unhealthy institutionalized parts Africa officers regard matter touchy refrain discussing except vaguely defensive Officers often complain Government their local administrations faced party Its policies often serviCe humanitarian ideals Just often pressure Englands current economic survival program demands quota economic production given colonial which cannot achieved without recourse arbitrary control labor other human factors In attempting place blame common colonial civil servant above CO lonial Office He tends blame simplified political slogans Western World intentloned misguided humanitarianism British colonial policy A Tanganyika district officer PhUt something It Government ighest level realized democracy humanitarianism privileges luxuries economically fortunate educationally qualified peoples inherent inalien rights every human being While faced economic crisis economic production obvious secure through autocratic authoritarian inhumane methods Democracy Equality worthy goals stride toward rapidly possible ensure immediate survival We native educated responsible before dangerous easily perverted institutions democracy And undertake realization delayed immediate considerations survival security which absorb energy years This bitterness between election minded polititlan makes glowing campaign promises administrator required effect The remmdy which concensus classmates would propose education Africans British voters apply their moral yardstick endorsing colonial policies candidates They remedy distant future participants critics concerned should extremely patient JBG R_ear BrItSphYO Go Rdd Concets The discussion which these impressions drawn initiated Professor Wheare class federal government A question raised England scholars political experts condemning colonial burdens llabilitles follow United States hands whole business granting independence colonies The response hurried voluminous First cited Indispenslbility Commonwealth structures maintenance world peace democracy Such donment colonies create power vacuum areas globe strategic points communists would undoubtedly Secondly Britian moral responsibility continued political tutelage backward colonies might eventually places members Commonwealth independent democratic states outside Finally there markets British industry facilitate British recovery through export programs The creation sterling trade Im necessity after costs Thus retention colonies where retention seemed feasible ompted Security Morality Economic Necessity The instance U S Philippines vided example since U S under comparable ressures could carry objectives Security after doesn American dominate Pacific Morality there strong cultural economic independent nation Economic being dollar shortage America there without undue strain The short BritIn maintain political control because other strong enough I attempt point contradlctlon light earlier argument British administrative would itself promote sympa among Commonwealth nations If I number lucid answers would given My large impress these expressions class mates friends sincerely rendered The Golonial Service officer overnment employee likely everhought tinctured cynicism doubt certain trust governments administrative efficiency But behind feellng conviction rather central local government England least corrupt world today representing compromise between democratic efficient administrative function While annoyed plodding slowness mistrustful immediate party cabinet astute British civil servant obliged admit evernments probably least pugnanto Frem appraisal derives nearest thing crusading spirit possible Englishman peace tends approach persuading coercing other peoples acceptance political structures something indifference I anxious these impressions stand after I discussed Mr Severinghaus I associated months district officers their yards Slncerely Johr B George Received New York