The Washington herald., 1910-06-26
MONOPOLIES OF THE EARTH

In this age OF much discussion OF mo-
nopolies and monopolistic tendencies, il
is worthy of notice that an extraordinary
proportion OF the surface OF the globe
is under few flags II is held chiefly
by half a dozen nations
One empire. the British. contains near
Iy one-fouFth OF the land surface OF the
planet on which 1900 5000 human beings.
more or less, live. II also counts fully
. per cent OF the inhabitants OF the
earth as It subjects. writes Benjamin
Karr. in the Cleveland Leader.
The Chinese empire has another quar-
ter. at least. OF the people on this globe.
but it includes only about Per cent OF
the land area
The Russian empire differs radically
from these Chinese proportions by em-
bracing II per cent Of the land OF the
earth, although it contains only 10 per
cent OF the total population.
How many Americans realize, even In
their proudest moments OF national feel
ing. that more than per cent Of the dry
surface OF the globe Is under the Stars
and Stripes, or that over 6 per cent Of
the human race owe allegiance to this
republic?
France and the French colonies contain
nearly per cent Of the population OF the
planet and cover S per cent OF its land.
These FIVE nations. including their pos
sessions everywhere, have about 63 per
cent OF the globe, and their subjects and
citizens together number 2 per cent Of
the human family.
Add the German empire with per
cent OF the population Of the world and
over per cent or the eaPth's land sur
face. and Brazil. contributing only ! per
cent OF the population Of the globe. but
possessing more than s per cent Of the
land, and seven states account for IS
pre- cent OF the people II the world and
Il per cent OF the surface, which is not
covered by the oceans.
That is a very fair parallel for the
trust and monopoly tendencies of the age
in business. 1t is the biggest OF all con-
solidation movements
For the growth Of the largest empires
in the life Of the present generation has
been tremendous. BY far the larger part
Of Africa has passed under the flags Of
Great Britain, France. Germany. and Bel
GUM. Russia has annexed Turkistan
Great Britain has taken possession Of
Burma, France has seized a large part
OF Indo-China, England and Germany
have divided the great island OF New
Guinea between them. France has con-
quered Madagascar. the United States has
taken the Philippines and Porto Rico
from Spain, and made Hawaii an Ameri-
can Territory.
IN the vast Asiatic continent. much the
largest of all. more than half Of the total
area belongs to European powers, and
there are only six independent Asiatic
sc4I -
Arabia. China. Japan, Persia, Turkey.
Siam, and Afghanistan make I'D the list.
II is farce to call Korea independent
now. and Beluchistan and Cambodia are
practically British and French. respect
lively. Persia is lettering, Afghanistan IS
dominated by Great Britain. and China
is saved by international jealousies Siam
balances between Great Britain and
France. Turkey is in a dangerous and
uncertain position.
Just one Asiatie state stands firmly
and squarely on It's own feet. fun OF
vitality and power. Japan is all alone.
There are striking contrasts between
the grand divisions in respect to their
absorption by a few great powers.
Omitting certain comparatively uniTn-
portant Islands. all Of North America is
under eight flags, and, except for Cen
trail America, there are Just three-the
Stars and Stripes, the union jack, ana
the banner Of Mexico.
South America Is smaller In area and
population, but there are thirteen nations
ruling that continent. Brazil has half
of It's entire area. Brazil and Argentina
together account for 70 per cent of It's
surface and more than half Of its inhab-
itants. but Colombia, Chile, Peru, Vene-
Zuela, and Bolivia all have room enough
and possibilities enough to become i'm
portant members of the great family OF
nations.
The remainder Of South America be-
longs TO three independent states-Ecua-
dor, Uruguay, and Paraguay-which have
doubtful prospects. and three European
powers-Great Britain. France. and the
Netherlands-which divide Guiana be-
tween them.
Europe has more independent countries
than any other continent, but only six
really count in its greater affairs. Just
seven, excluding Turkey, which is really
an Asiatic power have more than 5000 coo
inhabitants. and that Is low limit where
six nations range from 80, 0O0,O 600 in Italy,
up TO the vast bulk OF Russia and the
British empire
Australia, coming latest into notice, Is
almost completely monopolized by one
power Everywhere the tendencies Of the
age are In the direction Of consolidation
and the expansion OF the great nations
at the cost of the small.
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