have {112} conceit, self-esteem and veneration for the bond that unites
them and for all qualities, characteristics, experiences and
institutions which distinguish them. To-day this group consciousness
has become national consciousness, and the impulse towards
nationalistic expression spreads and makes itself felt not only in
organised nations but also among submerged, conquered and dispersed
peoples like the Czechs, Poles, Finns and Irish. The clash of Europe's
hundreds of millions for a satisfactory existence upon an insufficient
area is intensified by the marshalling of these millions into
nationalistic groups, speaking different languages and ruled by hostile
traditions.

The antagonism is the worse because in many parts of Europe history and
geography have conspired to jumble ethnic and linguistic groups without
mixing them. In Bohemia, East Prussia, Dalmatia, Macedonia and
Lorraine, hostile groups intermingle without fusing. Though the last
century has brought about a certain approximation of state boundaries
to the boundaries of nationalities, the process is far from complete.
About many nations there is a fringe of people of like nationality
subject to other states. Roumania, Servia, Italy, each has its
_Irredenta_; Austria-Hungary, Russia and Turkey are loose bundles of
nationalities, hating each other, while the Balkan States cannot
discover any nationalistic principle upon which to divide up Macedonia.
Each nationality seeks independence and strength to maintain itself
against the encroachment of rivals, and this desire for
self-preservation through size, causes a nationality, which has
attained to nationhood, to oppress smaller nationalistic groups within
its borders. The condition is artificial and anomalous. Absurd
nationalistic claims are advanced in defence of aggression, and while
learned Pan-Slavs convert Balkan {113} dwellers into Russians, the
Dutch, Flemings and Danes are proved by Pan-Germans to be only Germans
once removed.

The progress of democracy has intensified this nationalistic strife and
made it a matter of _amour propre_. So long as no citizen had rights,
it mattered little whether the King were German or Hungarian. With the
participation of the people in government, however, the subject
nationalities feel themselves disgraced. The Pole longs for a free
democratic Poland; he is not content to become German, Austrian or
Russian. Rather than surrender his nationality he is will