Washington sentinel., 1899-10-21

France is on the way to become a
country OF the third rank. 1t is perishing
for lack Of births In the examination
Of the remedies which have been pro
posed to antagonize this evil, we shall
begin with a rapid review OF those which
appear to be least eficacious. Then we
shall present those which figure on the
programme OF the Alliance Nationale
pour Paccroissement de la Population
Franchise. The reforms for which the
depopulation Of France has served as
the vauItinR board may he divided,
Notwithstanding the great variety OF
them, into four categorles: Various
social reforms; 2--incTease in the mum
ber of marriages.; 5-dimInution of
involuntary sterility; 4-reduction OF
mortality. We have a word to say with
respect to each Of these.
Nobody has ever shown that the
emancipation OF woman, selection in
paternity, the suppression of divorce, or,
the contrary laws facilitating divorce,
would augment natility. Nobody has
ever given a proof, or the beginning OF
a proof, in support Of these fancies.
Would socialistic forms leading to
diminutIon of the share OF capital, and
a corresponding increase OF the share Of
labor. have any effect upon natility ?
Would il be augmented If capital should
come to have no remuneration at allr
have not examined this difficult and very
hypothetical question, for, II such thing
should happen, it could be only IN an
exceedingly remote future. The sup
r. me struggle of which our country has
always to think will have taken place
long before that
Nuptuality Is nearly the same in
France that il has been. 1t has, how
ever, diminished during thet last twenty
years, falling gradually from eight
marriages to seven marriages a year per
thousand inhabitants. For seven years
past it has gained little, and Is now
7.6-a fairly satisfactory rate, 1t is not
here that the saddle gals us. Next are
the measures proposed for diminishing
involuntary sterilitY. Is involuntary
steTilitV as frequent ss It is supposed to
be1 Our respected master, Jules
ROchard. was surprised to find two
million sterile families unhesitatIngly
recorded m the census reports. But the
number does not appear excessive. II
Is only necessary to cite measures that
have been suggested to counteract this
supposed excessive sterilitv to make
their inanity apparent. Among them
are reform Of the abuse OF tobacco and
alcohol and war upon syphilis. Do not
these scourges exist among other nations
than us2 Nothing could be more salutary
than to war upon them, but to connect
France is a singular exaggeration o
Their importance. The death rate in
France has not increased or diminished
IL is about normal, and little or nothing
could be done to change it.
The evil must be fought in its causes
hese causes are detestable family
customs. dictated by pecuniaTy cOnsid
erations. These being the things to be
reformed. and money being the cause
OF them, the beginning should be made
with money Ii is Just as much every
mans duty to contribute to the perpe
tuIty OF his country as it is to defend it
A family. to be acquitted of the tax
should rear at least three children. 1
takes two children o take the place o
the parents, and the should be a thirC
in addition. for one in three fs SMILES
on an average, will have no children
Hence the family which does not rea
three children will tail of imposing
sufficient sacrif es upon itself for tn
future Of the nation II is free to do this
but should pay damages for il. He, ol
the other hand, who raises moe thai
three children imposes supplemental
burdens upon himself. for which h
should be recompensed every time tina
occasion offers. The principle Of
reduction Of taxes proportiOned to tn