48 PERILS. — IMMIGRATIOX. 



ernment they have gained no experience. Germany 

 presents the anomaly of a modern industrial civilization 

 under a mediaeval military government ; a people char- 

 acterized by a strong love of independence, ruled by an 

 emperor who says, "Those who oj^pose me, I dash to 

 pieces." Such a condition can hardly be one of stable 

 equilibrium. Whether this young ruler is capable of 

 adapting himself and his government to modern condi- 

 tions remains to be seen. Meanwhile, emigration will 

 probably increase with popular dissatisfaction, which 

 latter is indicated by the rapid growth of socialism. 



During the last twelve years, nearly three-quarters of 

 a million of German subjects have emigrated io the 

 United States, and the number is not likely to decrease 

 under increasing burdens. A few years ago, a member 

 of the Eeichstag exclaimed : ' ' The German people have 

 now but one want — money enough to get to America." 



Austria. Immigration from this quarter shows a 

 marked increase; and the Minister of War calls for a 

 considerable addition to the armj^, which w^ill involve an 

 increased expenditure of 80,000,000 or 100,000,000 florins. 



Italy: The Italians are worse fed than any other peo- 

 ple in Europe, save the Portuguese. The tax-collector 

 takes thirty-one per cent, of the' people's earnings! 

 Many thousands of small proprietors have been evicted 

 from the crowm-lands because unable to pay the taxes. 

 The burden of taxation has become intolerable. Not- 

 withstanding the industrial advance made by Italy 

 from 1870 to 1880, the national debt increased so much 

 more rapidly that the nation was $200,000,000 poorer in 

 1880 than ten years before. For the financial year end- 

 ing in 1888 there Avas a deficit in the national treasury of 

 57,000,000 lire; and for the two years ending in 1890 the 

 budget estimates showed a deficit of 248,000,000 lire. 

 Growing population and increasing taxation are result- 

 ing in increased emigration. The total number of emi- 

 grants, which in 1884 w^as 147,000, had increased in 1888 

 to 290,000. At present this stream is mercifully being 

 deflected in large measure to South America, but our 



