[20] Cf. _The New York Herald_ (Paris edition), June 8, 1919. [21] Cf. _The New York Herald_, June 2, 1919. [22] Cf. _The New York Herald_ (Paris edition), April 20, 1919. [23] _Le Figaro_, June 8, 1919. [24] _L'Humanité_, July 10, 1919. [25] _La Democratie Nouvelle_, June 14, 1919. [26] _Le Figaro_, March 6, 1919. [27] _L'Humanité_, May 23, 1919. [28] _3 Ibid._ [29] _Le Gaulois_, March 23, 1919. _The New York Herald_ (Paris edition), March 22, 1919. _L'Echo de Paris_, June 12, 1919. [30] _The New York Herald_, March 22, 1919. [31] _L'Echo de Paris_, June 12, 1919. [32] _The New York Herald_, March 22, 1919. [33] _L'Humanité_, May 23, 1919. [34] on July 18, 1919. Cf. _Matin, Echo de Paris, Figaro_, July 10, 1919. [35] Cf. _L'Humanité_ (French Syndicalist organ), July 11, 1919. II SIGNS OF THEIR TIMES Society during the transitional stage through which it has for some years been passing underwent an unprecedented change the extent and intensity of which are as yet but imperfectly realized. Its more striking characteristics were determined by the gradual decomposition of empires and kingdoms, the twilight of their gods, the drying up of their sources of spiritual energy, and the psychic derangement of communities and individuals by a long and fearful war. Political principles, respect for authority and tradition, esteem for high moral worth, to say nothing of altruism and public spirit, either vanished or shrank to shadowy simulacra. In contemporary history currents and cross-currents, eddies and whirlpools, became so numerous and bewildering that it is not easy to determine the direction of the main stream. Unsocial tendencies coexisted with collectivity of effort, both being used as weapons against the larger community and each being set down as a manifestation of democracy. Against every kind of authority the world, or some of its influential sections, was up in revolt, and the emergence of the passions and aims of classes and individuals had freer play than ever before.