112 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
unequal values attach to different regions in their relations to man. Four factors — relief, climate, geological structure, and situation — and their mfinite combinations, furnish the reasons for the contrasts in the various regions of the earth and the human communities developed in them. Both earth and man are constantly undergoing changes, but there is no correspondence either in the rate or the nature of the changes. "The rational study of the soil as related to the successive scientific, historical, and social conditions of man gives the key to the local shiftings of civilization through the ages." Evolution of the earth is going on slowly, and it has its limitations. The earth will reach a condition in which it will not furnish even the minimum necessary to existence. Exploitation of the earth's resources is pursued too recklessly. The remedy is to be found in applying rational and scientific methods of exploitation. — M. L. Galloukdec, Appleton's Popular Science Monthly, May, 1898.
The International Cooperative Congress at Delft.— From the papers pre- sented and the reports given, it would seem that in Russia, Roumania, Switzerland, Italy, Servia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Great Britain cooperation everywhere seems spreading and progressing. From the United States alone coopera- tion is reported as not progressing — perhaps due to general trade depression. There were no reports from France, Denmark, or Austria. In Russia cooperation has been much hindered by government protection and interference. In Roumania cooperation is propagated largely by national exhibitions. Servia is multiplying its banks. In Switzerland there are said to be 2,223 cooperative concerns registered, of which 1,191 are dairies and cheeseries. There are also in addition 491 more or less cooperative societies. Cooperation in Italy is represented chiefly by banks. The pope's encyclical approved village banks — Roman Catholic, of course.
The papers and discussions at the congress were not of very high value and were not well managed, but the alliance undoubtedly exhibits an increasing strength with each passing year. — Henry W. Wolff, Economic jV^z'/^7£', January, 1S98.
An Italian Sociologist in Northern Countries : A Review of Ferrero's "L'Europa Giovani : Studi e viaggi vei poesi del Nord." — The foreigner who possesses a scientific interest is especially qualified in many ways for the study of a given people on account of his personal indifference.
In Germany today, according to Ferrero, two great political forces confront each other, militarism, or Bismarckism, and socialism. Both are alien to the German character, which tends to a peaceful, constructive life. Militarism is due to one man, Bismarck, whose power is to be explained by the " law of singularity," that by which a leader exercises sway by means of qualities alien to his people ; instance Napoleon, Cavour, Parnell. The results of the supremacy of these alien political principles are disastrous. Widespread discontent exists. Socialism, the foe of militarism, is making wonderful progress. Its party organization is so finely administered that the Italian government might be happy to possess an equal one. But neither of these forces are final ; Cresarism and socialism will die together.
English socialism is not like German socialism, a creed, an ideal, an end in itself, but rather a political engine for securing certain practical advantages, as shorter hours, higher wages, or increasing political power.
Russia is a land of religious quiet compared with German discontent and London noise. Moscow is the one holy city left in Europe. The Slav characteristics of resignation and patience, contempt of pain and death, find themselves expressed in social conditions. In the factory, whose workers lead the shut-off life of a monastery, every detail of life, working, eating, sleeping, is regulated by the employer. The voluntary " Avtel," or club, plays a great part in all industries, but especially in agri- culture. It contracts with the employer, and the members live together during the completion of the work, obviating the necessity of an entrepreneur. It will scarcely suffice in the more complicated system which will come with greater capitalism and machinery.
Ferrero says that the prevailing motive of the Latin race is passion, of the Germanic "the sentiment of duty and chastity ;" therefore the former is a decaying race compared with the latter. — Bernhard W. Henderson, Economic Review, January, 1898.
