1904 125,567 1905 177,117 1906 252,536 1907 209,103 1908 255,710 It will be seen that the influx is now larger than ever. It is important to observe the nationalities of the new subjects. Between 1857 and 1893 Argentina received peoples in the following proportions:-- Italians 1,331,536 Spaniards 414,973 French 170,293 English 35,435 Austrians and Hungarians 37,953 Germans 30,699 Swiss 25,775 Belgians 19,521 Others 92,238 In 1895 the total population was 4,044,770, and of these 1,005,487 were immigrants who arrived after the age of eighteen. That the people came to settle rather than as pioneers or temporary labourers is shown by the fact that the proportion of men to women was considerably less than two to one. The population is now estimated at over 6,300,000. In 1907 the proportions show considerable variations upon those of former years. The figures were:-- Italians 90,282 Spaniards 82,606 Russians 9,531 Syrians 7,436 French 4,125 Austrians and Hungarians 3,439 Germans 2,322 English 1,659 Portuguese 1,118 The remainder came chiefly from the Balkan States or from other American Republics. It will be noticed that Italy[72] still leads, but that Spain has nearly caught her up; indeed there is hardly a limit to the migration from Spain except the fertility of the home-staying Spaniard. A moderate increase in Spanish emigration would cause the population returns of that ancient and famous monarchy to show a positive decrease. Greeks and islanders are included under the term Syrian, and it is probable that this head will show rapid increases in the near future. The French are declining in numbers, and indeed that nation has favoured the Argentine Republic as a place of settlement to an unusual degree. It is said that in San Rafael more French is spoken than Spanish. The Germans prefer Brazil. Englishmen do not emigrate to Argentina in large numbers, and they are often warned against so doing, as the environment is not suited to the English working men, though of course mechanics and others find lucrative billets--which, however, should be secured before leaving home. In 1865 a small Welsh colony was founded at Chubut, and, favoured by the climate, it has attained considerable prosperity. Reference will be made to it in the chapter on Patagonia.