Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 8.djvu/441

 NOTES AND ABSTRACTS 425

understand his environment and to react upon it advantageously. It is, next, the appearance of more varied interests, and, consequently, greater richness and com- plexity of the entire life. In proportion as social differentiation progresses and the number of social circles of which the individual forms a part increases, the phases of life which appear interesting and important become more numerous.

While the modern civilized man is discontented with his existence, this is explained by the difficulties of the internal crisis that he is undergoing. It is not easy for him to become adapted to the new, more complicated conditions of existence. Civilized man is an unfinished type, yet in formation, im IVerden, and consequently lacking harmony. This is why his reaction to the influences of his surroundings is so painful.

In re'sume', the progressive complication and differentiation ot society cause i growth and complication of the human individuality, at the same time that they create for it a greater stability. In this is the objective necessity for progress. ALEXANDRE IAROTSKY, "Ne'cessite" objective du progres," in Revue Internationale de sociologie, July, 1902. R. M.

Safeguarding Young Girls. The international congress, which has just closed its sessions at Paris, proposed in the interest of public morality and for the protection of young girls important modifications of existing national and international law. La traite des blanches (the traffic in white girls) is the name applied in France to a secret method of importing girls from different countries through which to recruit houses of prostitution. From time to time, the sad history of individual girls recovered from nouses of prostitution has shown what skilful methods of trapping were used to decoy them into the well-laid nets ; but it is only since a number of earnest men and women in different countries took hold of the matter, coupled with official investigations, that the extent and systematic character of the nefarious trade have been apparent. The revelations made by an inquiry of the Home Office a few years ago were sufficient to alarm the societies organized for the protection of young girls, and to show them that new measures must be taken to meet an almost unsuspected condition. The organ- izers and promoters of this form of commerce adopt the most refined and plausible means of trapping their prey. A common method is to insert an advertisement in various foreign journals for governesses, teachers, domestics, nurses, or shop girls. Arriving at her destination, the young girl is met by the agent, who regrets to inform her that the place she had come to fill has already been taken, but assures her that there will be another opportunity in a few days. Meanwhile, he suggests that she go to a hotel which he can recommend. At the end of some days they let her know what is expected of her. If she refuses, she is presented with a bill for board and lodging and is told that she cannot leave until she has paid her bill. Of course, the bill is made larger than the small sum of money which the girl possesses. She is strictly watched ; she is incapable of effecting her escape. Deception, threats, and, in some cases, force may be employed to complete her subjection.

Germany is the only country in which legislation covers this form of crime. Though governments have been inactive, private philanthropic and protective societies have done a great deal to warn young girls in their own countries against undertaking such emigration, and to protect them on arrival in a strange land. Thus in all the European railways one may now find notices to girls traveling alone warn- ing them against confiding in strangers and informing them where they may find shelter and protection in the large cities. L'Union Internationale des Amies de Jeune Fille has been organized for some twenty years, and, with a central bureau at Neu- chatel, has agents and committees all over Europe, and has established homes in various cities. A Catholic union for the same purpose was founded in 1896, and is also well organized. Both of these international organizations work in harmony. In London the National Vigilance Association has been more recently organized to study and apply means to furnish more perfect protection. However, it is evident that the authority and co-operation of the various governments must be secured for the repression of the traffic. This has been the character and the aim and the object of the congress just held at Paris.

The first two articles in the convention which have been signed by the delegates and are to be submitted to their governments for their ratification, embody important