New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-28
EEENCH COLONIAL EXPANSION.


The evident determination of France to share
largely in the partition of China and to possess
as indeed she already does the major part Of
Africa, makes pertinent some inquiry INTO her
success or non-success as colOnizing Power.
Non-success seems. al present. the word TO be
used France possesses, in area, the second
largest colonial empire on the globe Yet her
colonial population of French blood is among
The smallest, and shows slight signs of increas
ing 1t mas become prOverba that Frcnchmen
do not make good coonsts. and that they are
reluctant TO become cOlonists al all. Assuredly
then. it Is not worth while for France to 90 on
grabbing more territories if she Is not able to
populate them with at least n numerous lcaven
OF her own sons. One OF the most important
problems now before her, therefore. is how 10
encourage her citizens 10 become coloniss.
Upon the solution of IT depends the success Of
ner colonial policy and the pcrmancDce of her
colonial empire Yes, and more than that. The
proper growth Of hel own race depends upon it.
For while II might n first seem undesirable for
a country whose population increases so slowly
TO send many emgrants abroad reflection will
show that nlat is exactly what she should do
If II be true that Frenchmen are not now good
colonists, II certainly was not true century and
half ago. France was then one Of the most
successful Of colonlzing Powers: most success
full Of all, since Spain was already in her hope
less decline and Great Britain had not fully en-
tered upon her marvellous career Of nation
building. which has no parallel in human his
tory. France possessed the major part of North
America and had grip upon the whole of
India. Her sons and daughters did not hesitate.
OFT 70 I'm lon
them a new and greater France OF this latter
fact the French population Of Louisiana and
Canada gives ample proof. The French Of those
days were good colonizers The world saw
none better. The change came with the Revo
luton and the First Empire France was then
fighting for life ut home Ii was jmpossibla
for her 10 keep up great colonial establish
ment. 1t was treason for her sons to emlgratc
when they were sorely needed at hCme. And
then she lost command OF the sea Naturally
and inevitably her colonial empire all but disap-
peared
But II the Revolution lost TO France her first
colonial empire, II also established the stronp
est reasons FOR and Indictment 10 the building
mp Of a second. II is true that the abolition az
had the effect Of keepiug M homo
hose younger members Of families who for.
merly sought fortune In colonial entcrn,.is.
But at the same time the division Of the land
among III, people ia small holdings made il
desirable to provide an overflow area
Tor the surplus population. Beyond doubt. tie
present land system Is the prime cause Of
Frances failure to increase IN population. II
4 man and his wife have farm Just big enough
to support them and no more, they will not
raise half dozen sons among whom 10 divide
i In bits not big enough for their support
Their desire will be to raise one son. who will
Inherit the farm intact, and one daughter. who
Will be married 10 the one son OF some neigh
foring couple. II Is on that principle that rural
J rance has become n country OF small families
II is that same principle that calls for colonial
expansion, so that the additional children or
efch family may have some place to cmgra,e
TO- where they may take up land for them.
selves and still be under the French fay The,
tho population Of France will increase. not ner-
reps In the Fatherland itself but In the greater
rance beyond the seas
Why the principle does not thus operate *
LII interesting question. to which many un.