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the Eastern Question from the point of view of "world economics". For the common interests of mankind cannot much longer be thwarted by the parasitical few. A revolution of ideas is no less the interest of the European bourgeoisie than of the proletariat.
In the last hundred years European sciences have conquered distances, made hitherto remote regions of the earth accessible, and have tended to cosmopolitanize industries of public utility. If they have not overcome the financial groups that work for private profit, they have at least made great enterprises matters of world interest. Across the trunk lines and through the great ports will go, if allowed, the goods of all nations. It will not be such an easy thing in future to establish a trade monopoly in far-off seas, or claim, as special preserves, points where land and sea routes meet. The municipal commercial unit of the middle ages expanded, till in the course of time it became the national unit. In the 19th century the national has become the Imperial trading unit. It is therefore in keeping with the evolution of things that the Imperial unit should develop into the International right. Now how does this affect that vital point in the southern "gateway" where land and sea routes cross each other—that is, Constantinople and the Straits? There has now come into being a great trunk line, the shortest and most direct route between Europe and the Middle East, which goes straight across this point. Under modern industrial conditions, railways can successfully compete with sea routes for the carriage of all but the bulkiest materials. The Bagdad railway and the land route between Europe and the Persian Gulf is therefore
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