Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-13
POPULATION OF INDIA.
The Inroads which Pestilence and Famine
Make Into 1t.

The Inroaas Which Pestilence and Famine
Make Into 1t.
From the Fortnixhs,y Review.
The population Of the Indian empire has
risen within the memory OF the present geners-
ton from 2e0, 00o. 900 to 2ss. 600. 0a9. Ii has
been increasing 1t the rate of 2 500 Go annually
and Is now rising at the rate of 100000. II
no large famines occur it will considerably ex-
coed 800. 600. 900 at the end of the century now
drawing to close. Even in the event OF
defamation from these causes there will be an
excess over the 800, 900 000 This augmentation
Is colncident with growth in means and re-
sources of livelihood and in material prosperity
OF ali kinds. The export of food grains in vast
quantities continues.
The average of population in the Indian en-
pre- is very moderate. Tor all that the density
In some parts Is considerable and in other
parts too great. On the other hand there
Is large quantity of cultivatable land still un-
used, the extent OF which can be fully known
by experience alone. Further, the existing
cultivation can be made more and more pro-
ducuve by agricultural science. by development
OF irrigation in detail and by improved appli-
ances for husbandry
On the whole there is fair reason to hope that
the magnificent area of land will be able to sus-
tain its people, and that the accession of teem-
ing millions decade after decade under the
British rule may be welcomed without an after
thought. On the other there have been and
still are frequently recurring causes to check
the growth Of population.
One fearfully potent cause, arising from in
ternal war. devastation and disorder, which up
to the present century decimated the people
mas been enectuaIly stopped. But pestilence.
which In former centuries occasionally stalked
through the land. still turks in many places. 1t
Is kept down by sanitation by the diffusion of
edncatlOn fha ,o.s NV
the purihcation of the water supply.
The water works are to be found in almost
every town. In the great cities they may be
compared with anything of their kind in any
country. The check on population. imposed
by sickness will be gradually lessened. Then
there is the terrible check resulting from famine
or scarcity. The recorded experience of more
than century shows that this scourge has APP
peared In one quarter or another once in every
three years
Its recurrence is extremely probable. II
springs from atmospheric conditions. which
may be partially controlled, but cannot be
wholly averted, by the power Of man. Its ter
rioie power Is In part weakened by railway
communication supplying the markets which
have been depleted by scarcity. Its area
may be In some degree limited by irrigation
works.
The conservation and propagation of forests
VIII improve the supply of moisture in the
country. Great efforts. without stint of money.
VII! be made by the government to find wages
and employment for the mutitudes suddenly
thrown out of work by fhe cessation of labor
IN the he,Gs and ihe temporary paralysis of the
hand looms, the potterics and other village in
dustries.
Infinite good will. indeed. be effected in these
various ways, but no administration can guar
antee security against loss of life from hunger
and from the many ailmeuts which ensue after
period of physical depression. Therefore the
population will be checked in some degree bv
famine. The loss from that cause appears TO
be about 500 900 annually in a cycle for wears