The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-23
White Races In tho Tropics.


Since the United States acquired its
tropical possessions there has been con-
siderable discussion of the question
whether the people OF white races could
ever permanently take up their abode
In tropical countries without perma-
nent racial deterioration: whether the
tropics are proper places OF abode for
men OF American or European birth.
One OF the most interesting contribu-
lions to this discussion Is a paper by
DIR. George @. Croft. In the current
number OF the Popular Science
Monthly.
DR.. Croft assumes the position that
there are no climatic reasons why peo-
pie OF the white races should not enjoy
as good health aud maintain as high
a moral and physical standard in trop-
ical as In temperate countries, and that
the great majority of the objections
which certainly exist to the tropics as
a place OF residence apply to artificial
conditions which could be easily rem
edled. 1t is the ignorance. filth and
low moral tone OF the denizens OF trop-
ical countries which breed the diseases
peculiar to those countries. and cause
the familiar instances OF racial deteri-
Grafton there.
''rhe tropics" says the doctor. "are
no more aud no less healthful than
temperate regions. But the people in
cold countries have some respect for
sanitation. while those In hot countries
have very iittls or no respect for de-
cent cleanliness. This is the whole ex-
PLANTATION Of this matter. People who
have the iatrine In the kitchen and un-
cleaned for century; who sleep In
rooms into which breath OF fresh air
cannot enter: who seldom wash their
bodies; who use rum and tobacco In
stead OF food; can scarcely
hope TO escape disease. II any prevails
VA their nelghborhood. Such conditions
are the rule with the masses In hot
countries"
That she position assumed by Or.
Groff has strong reason behind Il can
be seen by referring to experiences IN
tropical countries where conditions do
not exis, such as are portrayed above.
For example, the Hawaiian Islands are
under the tropics. There - little real
difference between the climate there
and the climate In the Philippines. save
that probably the rainfall Is not 80 ex-
cesslve there as tn the latter islands.
The native HawailAns are a clearly
race, and the whites who settled the
islands were Americans and British.
who brought their own sanitary habits
With them The diet q the nativea.
while doubtless sufficient FOR their uses.
IN their climate. is hardly az the Kind
60 build up a robust physique or strong
constitution. white the native raea
has been dying out in Hawaii since the
white settlements were made there. The
white ueople who have lived IN tho
islands have enjoyed az good health as
81 any temperate country children ct
the third and fourth generation q
trodc-h born whites are thevc 10 consli.
cradle number. and In physique and
health they compare favombly with
children horn IN temperate climates
The same conditions prevail al
/ through the Islands or the south Pa
elfic lying en- the route from Bcnalalu
20 Australia. on many OF these Islands
are old "beach-eamhers." men who de-
serted nom merchant vessels or whal-
era. forty or hfty years sgo, These men
were as q rale ignorant OF ali matters