THE QUESTION OF WHEAT. 351 



true, it is quite certain that the saber-toothed eats have left no 

 descendants behind them. Throughout ISTorth and South America 

 they became extinct ahnost within historical times, and have left 

 nothing behind them save their bones in the rocks. 



THE QUESTION OF WHEAT. 



By WORTillNGTON C. FORD, 



LATE CHIEF OF TUE BUREAU OF STATISTICS, TREASUKY DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. 0. 



III.— RUSSIA. 



RUSSIA is the United States of Europe in its economic aspects. 

 An immense territory, much of which is still unused; a popu- 

 lation of exuberant fertility and restless wandering, gradually spread- 

 ing itself over the land; an agricultural basis for its economy; an 

 experience of slavery that was conclusive on its wastefulness and 

 social evils; and an industrial and commercial exclusiveness that has 

 heretofore made it the one great power of the continent of unknown 

 and unmeasurable resources — these characteristics may be found 

 in this country, the opposite to Russia in political j)ractice and social 

 theory. The simile may be extended. For Russia has been urged 

 forward by two potent ambitions. Panslavism created the vision of 

 a united eastern Europe, with Russia at the head, and with a great 

 Russian port — Constantinople — on the Mediterranean. The desire 

 to be the controlling agency in Asia has led the Government to 

 make heavy sacrifices to further that end, seemingly now to be 

 crowned with success. For Russia commands the north of Asia 

 through her railroad, and is in possession of ports on the Pacific 

 which may give her an important share, if not the most important 

 share, in Asia's commerce. No longer shut off from her outlying 

 and half-closed port and fortress of Vladivostock, she has secured 

 southern outlets and connections implying even greater political than 

 commercial powci* over the destinies of Asia. From ocean to ocean, 

 across Europe and Asia, and from the arctic to the Mediterranean, 

 this huge unformed empire rests, the arbiter in both continents. Is 

 there no likeness in this to the pan- American ambitions of the United 

 States? 



In 1870 the population of Russia in Europe was 65,70,559, or 

 about thirty-five souls to the square mile of territory. If Poland 

 and Finland be included, the total population will be increased to 

 73,504,592, but the density of population will not be changed, as the 

 dense settlement of Poland is neutralized by the sparse population 

 of Finland. In 1897 the total population had increased to 100,159,- 



