Note 359 — Chapter XVIII · THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM

Professor Lester F. Ward says, “The assimilation of an alien civilization ... cannot be accomplished in a single generation, no matter how favorable the conditions may be.” Applied Sociology, p. 109. Professor Sumner says, “The only way in which, in the course of time, remnants of foreign groups are apparently absorbed and the group becomes homogeneous, is that the foreign element dies out.” Folkways, p. 115. Mr. Joseph Lee says, “Whether we in this country shall succeed in doing in a few centuries what Europe in fifteen or twenty or more has not been able to accomplish, is a problem of which the present generation of Americans is not in a position to fully judge.” Charities and the Commons, 19:17.