PREFACE 



In the spring of 1924, the writer visited Europe 

 for the purpose of studying rural life conditions. It 

 became apparent that profound changes were tak- 

 ing place throughout the rural sections of all Euro- 

 pean countries. The traditions and customs of 

 centuries were being greatly affected. The equilib- 

 rium between population elements had been ap- 

 preciably disturbed by the war. The farm labor 

 problem presented new aspects. The peasant farmer 

 was experiencing financial distress as a result of fall- 

 ing prices and financial depression. He had become 

 thoroughly dissatisfied and discouraged, and was 

 uniting his efforts with industrial labor to compel 

 legislative bodies to provide relief from existing 

 conditions. 



It became increasingly apparent that the farm 

 populations, from the Balkan States to the North 

 Sea and westward to the Atlantic Ocean, were de- 

 termined to improve their economic and social con- 

 ditions. They were thinking much of economic 

 inequalities. Adversity had aroused their conscious- 

 ness of social solidarity and had caused them to 

 realize their political strength. In most countries 

 the farmers had become socialistic and had turned 



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