850 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY
bound to the narrow creed of a petty party catechism, and he strives to advance the solution of various political and social problems. Moreover, he has received the good education derived from contact with men and practical affairs. He has traveled much, has studied civil government extensively, both abroad and at home. A scholar graduated from the School of Oriental Languages, at the opening of his career he wrote several interesting books Country Life in Greece, Galatea, a translation in modern Greek, and The Organization of Mohammedan Religious Sects. Admitted, after competitive examination, to the Office of Foreign Affairs, he was employed at first in the management of consulates, and then in the office of the minister. The day after the ratification of the Treaty of Berlin he went abroad as secretary of the commission in charge of fixing the frontier of Monte- negro. He took the occasion to make a thorough study of Albania, then in a state of fanatical excitement. Chosen agent for Montenegro, he was almost imme- diately sent to London as second secretary of the French embassy ; then to Tunis as first secretary under M. Paul Cambon. During the frequent absences of M. Cambon he had temporary charge of the embassy, and he brought home from his stay there an important work, French Government, written in the language of Tunis, and honored by the French Academy with the Therouanne prize.
After having completed, at the legation in Holland, his studies on colonial questions, he was, from 1887 to 1889, sub-assistant director in the Office of Foreign Affairs, in charge of Indo-Chinese and African affairs. Finally, he was counselor of the embassy, then minister plenipotentiary at London until his entrance into Parliament, in 1895.
The election of M. d'Estournelles in Sarthe was a very personal affair, for he presented himself apart from the local political organizations. His course in Parliament has also been very independent and very personal. Whether discussing the military conditions under which the conquest of Madagascar was made, or recommending the suppression of colonial senators and deputies, citing the example of England and Holland, he has not been afraid to break a lance over theories most firmly established in the prejudice of parliamentarians, when such theories appeared to him contrary to the rules of common-sense. From the first he refused to flatter the illusions of a vulgar, fanatical patriotism ; and he exhorted his country to consider seriously and dispassionately the dangers from the competition of other peoples as a reality in a manner to arouse her, by the use of scientific means corresponding to her resources, courageously to break away from the sleep- walking and the routine of self-conceit which still delude so many Frenchmen. He undertook, in the large cities of the various departments of France, a thorough campaign of education in the matter of universal suffrage. He discussed the yellow peril, peace and international arbitration, and accustomed republicans to debate fearlessly the most acute questions of foreign policy.
Recently he has devoted himself especially to establishing the tribunal pro- posed by the conference at The Hague, where he was present, in company with M. Leon Bourgeois, to represent France. The two men are how associated as French members of the permanent tribunal. At the closing session of The Hague Conference Baron d'Estournelles made an impressive address, which was chiefly a prophetic look to the future. " Our work may be discussed and judged too modestly," he said, " but it will never be doubted that we have worked con- scientiously for two months and a half. We came to The Hague from all parts of the globe, without knowing one another, with more of prejudice and of uncertainty than of hope. Today many prejudices have disappeared, and confidence and sympathy have arisen among us. It is owing to this concord, born of the devotion of all of us to the common work we have done, that we have been enabled to reach the first stage of progress. Little by little it will be universally recognized that the results obtained cannot be neglected, but that they constitute a fruitful germ. This germ, however, in order that it may develop, must be the object of constant solicitude ; and this is the reason why we should all wish and hope that our conference is not separating forever. It should be the beginning ; it ought not to be the end. Let us unite in the hope, gentlemen, that our countries, in calling other conferences such as this, may continue to assist in advancing the cause of civilization and of peace."
