708 T. C. CHAMBERLIN 
constitute normal nationality are not only complex but they vary in 
value in different cases. Asa result no szmple definition is possible, 
nor will any single definition suffice. Each nationality carries its 
own special combination of characteristics, which vary with the 
value of the several factors that enter into it. And yet in each 
concrete case presented it is usually possible to form a fairly just 
opinion of what peoples should form separate nations. But even 
then the border lines between such nations are often extremely 
difficult to fix, because there is more or less of mixture of diverse 
peoples and patchy inter-distribution. The only practicable mode 
of procedure seems to lie in fixing the bounds as well as may be and 
letting time bring about a better accommodation. 
It is fairly clear that the Polish people, the Czecho-Slovaks, 
the Jugo-Slavs, the Anatolians, the Armenians, the Syrians, the 
Palestinians, the Arabians, and the Mesopotamians should be seri- 
ously considered as candidates for organization into independent 
nationalities, but their claims vary much, both in kind and degree. 
So, also, it seems clear that the provinces wrested from France by 
force should be returned to her, that the provinces taken from Italy 
should be returned to her, that the Rumanians should form a single 
nation, and that various rectifications of bounds are needed in the 
Near East, while some rectifications of border lines of Belgium, 
Holland, and Denmark are desirable, if they can be agreed upon. 
The grave question whether a single new nation or a group of related 
nations shall emerge from the chaos of the great empire of Russia 
is as yet too much beclouded by uncertain conditions to warrant 
discussion, but it obviously constitutes an imminent problem of the 
future. 
The problems presented by these candidates for recognition as 
independent nations are already taking shape and will find prelimi- 
nary settlement in connection with the other war issues, and so the 
specific proposals of this paper are offered on the assumption that 
most of these peoples will have organized themselves into true 
nationalities and will have been recognized as such by the associated 
nations before the proposed general confederation shall be formed. 
The lines on the accompanying map are drawn on the assumption 
that the peoples named will form independent nations. If these 
