ABSTRACT
But, as might be expected, it is in the sphere of material relations that the increase in international solidarity has been most decisively marked, and can be best followed and appreciated. The barriers that in former ages impeded the free passage of men and of goods from country to country have been-it cannot unfortunately be said removed, but very much diminished ; and more particularly during the last fifty years the extraordinary development and improve ment of transport agencies both by land and sea have gone
far towards obliterating the retarding effects of legislative restraints or national prejudices. So little attention is ordinarily paid to the great permanent forces that govern the changes of societies, in comparison with the interest excited by the uncertain action of minor disturbing causes, that it is eminently desirable to emphasize as strongly as possible this continuous increase of international dealings. In spite of temporary checks and drawbacks, the broad fact stands out beyond dispute that the transfer of human beings from country to country which is known as “ migration,” as also the similar movement of goods described as “ commerce/' is not merely expanding, but, if periods sufficiently lengthy for fair comparison are taken, expanding at an accelerated rate.
