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THE UTILITY OF COMMON STATISTICS 13
probable consequences. socially and economically, as
well as in its relations in respect of the balance of power
to its neighbours. of the stationariness of the popula-
tion? This is one of the most remarkable facts, both
in itself and in comparison with the facts of other
countries. which population statistics disclose. The
present would not be the place to discuss the answer
to the questions raised. or the solution of the problems
involved. All I am concerned to point out is that it is
to thl! common figures of statistics, such as did not
exist until the present century, that we owe the putting
of the questions for answer. But for them it would not
have been quite certain whether the population of
F ranee was stationary or not. N ow the facts are exactly
known and even familiar, and discussion goes on.
Another question presented is as to the increase of
populatio~ in countries like Germany and Russia, and
the rapid encroachment there has been on the unused
agricultural resources of those countries. As the sta-
tionariness of the population in France, however bene-
ficial in some social aspects, is not an unmixed good,
because it weakens France in its external political re-
lations, so the increase of population in Germany and
Russia, while they still remain mainly agricultural,
appears to be attended by some mischiefs. The social
condition of the rural population of Germany leaves
much to be desired, as we may see from the extensive
emigration, and from the difficulty of increasing the
national revenue. In Russia, again, the threatened dif-
ficulties appear most formidable. Until lately Russia
has been largely in the condition ·of a new country,
with vast quantities of land over which a growing agri-
cultural population could spread. Now the European
area is more or less filled up, and unless the vast terri-
tory of Siberia can be largely utilized for settlement,
which appears doubtful. the pressure of population on
the means of subsistence in Russia may soon become
very great. The soil may be capable of supporting with
better agriculture a larger population: but this is not