The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-04
SCARCITY OF WONEN.
The Problem Is How TO Even Up the sexes In
Some rromisinE IOlonIcs.

SUM biohIN
Within the past fifty years the nations of
Europe have seized vast parts of the carth's
surface, chiefly in Africa and Asia, but includ-
ing also many islands of the Pacific. The total
area that has thus come under European flags Is
nearly as largo as North and South America to.
gethcr. Some Of these regions have been found
to be well adapted for white settlement, and
cmigrants have been encouraged to go to them.
The European nations call these far-off lands
their colonies, and they arc very anxious TO
make them sclf-supporting and develop them
into markets for home manufactures.
There is n question which is attracting moro
and more attention, and that is the scarcity of
white women in these colonies. In the French
colonies, for instance. even where the conditions
are most favorable for colonization. as in Algc-
ria, there are from four to six French men for
every French woman. For the most part. there
is no family life, and dissipation is more general
than would be tho case II there were more homes
and more of the social life that is possible only
when the sexes are in nearly equal numbers.
Mr.. Chailley-Bcrt, who recently wrote in the
Paris Dcbdts about the paucity OF white women
in tho French colonies, said that the young men
there were like the roaring lion, who "goeth
about seeking whom lie may dcvour.,'
ii is not easy 10 solve the problem In the
French colonies. for the young Women Of France
are not at al eager to cxpatriatc themselves,
even to find good husbands and comfortable
homes, There arc hundreds of %colonislS who
would like to get married. A %coloni-t III Algeria
has recently been telling his experience. lie
says that for three years he sought. in his own
social circle In France. for a young, woman who
would share his fortunes in the colony. Al the
end of that time his pcTseyySratce was FSwnrGoa
and he Is now married: The rart Is; hoWeXer:
women with whom he had been accustomed 10
associate. They liked the co!onisi. but the col
ony terrified them. His wife is a worthy woman,
the daughter OF t. farm lahorcT, and she i max.
ing him "a good h~clpincct in his colonial home.
British and Dutch COlUnists do not lind II so
difficult 10 induce he fair sex OF their old homes
TO share ,hsir i9i in never part o. rs ls, W2FiH;
the Dutch in the East Indies have not distaincd
to be joined in lawful wed!ock with the daugh.
Many white men are now living in tropical
regions. like equatorial Africa where they have
their dangers and hardships. Few women from
the north temperate zone are able TO survive
one or two child. bearing experiences in tropical
Africa. Some white men who live there have
expressed the opinion that it is little short OF a
crime TO bring women OF their own race 10 those
plorcr, said that any white man there who
wanted a wife should marry one Of the natives
Africa have followed his advice. and among
them DR.. Grcntell, the explorer and missionary.
who married a negro. CIR! Who had been eIN-
Gated AT Il mission station on the west coast.
Two months ago the Canadian newspapers
contained an advertisement from "a mining camp
that the camp was wholly destitute OF women,
that neither gambling nor the sale OF inlONicat-
ing liquors was permitted in The settlement,
that the miners were Industrious, had, saved
money, and now they wanted wives and homes;
and Young women OF the Dominion were Invited
TO enter mo correspondence with n committee
as preliminary 10 possible immigration 10 mo
camp and marriage with tho bachelors thereof,
The scheme is not TO be commended. Zach
miner had better use some OF the money he has
saved 10 visit a district whore women are plcnti-
fui. II he is the right sort, lie Will probably con-
vince some damscl that she can he happy even
I'm Il miner : cabin IN the far Northwest.
Even ;O-day, in large parts OF VanunH, Austria
liza, and Cape Colony, there nro no. worncn
enough to supply the demand for wives. lut
when the societies that promote the emigration
Of women to the colonies send out q party. The
last thing IN their minds, apparently, IS the bet
ter chance these women will have 10 get nus
harGs. They simply send women who lack work
TO colonies That laos women. Their character
and fitness Tor emigration must bc approved,
aud then they are sent OH the long journey in the
charge OF uaIrous, who sec to their comfort and
nrc responsible Tor their safety until situations
that Will yield them q living arc found FOR hem.
The United British Women Emigration Assoc.
citation. the largest vi all lhcsr societies. would
refuse to assist any woman 20 cru!Eratc If she
should OpCa!S avOw that she was seeking II has
band rather than opportunities tor work.