Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1901-01-10
THE WORLDS AFFAIRS.

change which the ninetsenth
century has brought is at hand in
the comparison of maps of the
world as it was 100 years ago and
as it is today. Not alone in the
exploration and delineation of the
great areas which then were blanks
on the map is this imp essive.
The extension of geographical
knowledge Is of consequence as
another of the noteworthy con-
tributions to the century of
science, but it is not fret in the
lessons of the atlas. Even more
important is the distinct tendency
to consolidation of world-govern
ment, quite as apparent as the
movement toward commercial
combinations which is the theme
of constant discussion. To
degree that would not have been
predicted by the NEST sanguine
prophet after the fail of Napoleon,
the dominions of the feeble rulers
and races, white, black and yellow,
are being absorbed into the en-
pires of their powerful neighbors,
near or far. South America re-
mains untouched, guarded by the
country which maintains the
Monroe doctrine in the western
hemisphere against European
encroachments. The republics to
the southwark, however, undergo
II chill of apprehension at intervals
in the avowed fear that the United
States will claim them some day,
while protecting them from others.
The rest of the world, however, is
falling under the sway of a few
powers. Half a dozen nations are
so dominant in world affairs that
the others hardly need to be nam
I'd in international dealings. The
latter may be prosperous and even
strong at home, but they are over
topped by powers which might
easily absorb or crush them in
such a readjustment as would
follow general war. The
Scandinavian kingdoms are fear
ing the fate of Finland at the
hands of Russia. Turkey and
China have seen continual re-
auctions Of. their territory for the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the same power.
the union Of Spain and Portugal
is named as the possible salvation
If two weakening nations. One is
stripped of Its c ,lonies in both
hemispheres, the other has re-
naming a great African domain
which seems to be slipping into
the hands of Great Britain,
Belgium and Holland, commercial
nations with large colonial pos
sessions, are not extending their
power and could not fight against
n strong enemy. Italy is losing its
African influence; Austria
Hungary is threatened with a
division and a war in which both
would be losers; Switzerland is
guarded by its weakness and the
jealousy of its neighbors. At the
same time the great powers are
becoming greater. Russia,
Great Britain, France, Germany
and the United States have in
creased out of all semblance to
their extent as it was lOG years
ago, with the habit Of increase we'll
established and not yet inter upt-
ed. All the Independent states of
Africa have vanished in the
apportionment of the spolls of
exploration except Liberia,
Morocco and Abyssinia. Asia is
virtually Russia, French and
British, except for China. threaten
ed with partition. Australia is
British. The islands of the Paci-
fic are no longer derelict. Within
the empires declarations are form
ing. Among the empires are
alliances and agreements" The
government "trusts'' are organic ID
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