The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-12-31
FRANCE FEARS
DEPOPULATION..
Bills Presented Propose Soma
Very Drastic Remedies.
INFANTIcl0E IS PREVALENT.
One Measure Proposes Thai Juigss Instsat
Of JuTles Fix The Penalty Tor II.

Paris, Dec. 3i.-The Dreyfus case, Cen
erai Mercier's plans for the invasion of
England, even the mission of Mr.. Kruger.
sink into insgnificance compared with
the public interest now manifested I'm
the debates In Parliament concerning the
so-called depopulation OF France.
Half a dozen bills are now pending,
some OF which propose drastic remedies.
One senator desires TO establish a grad
uated tax on bachelordom. which would
make that state untensble. except to mill
lionaires, for. with each additional year
of single biessedness. the unfortunate
single man would have TO Increase his
contribution 10 the national treasury.
A middle-aged man would thus see the
point to that American adage that two
can live as cheaply as one Even the
dot" the dover SO dear to the heart of
the Frenchman. whether his prospective
bride be- an American heiress or poor
French peasant girl. is being attacked.
MARRIAGE OF oF1cIcERs.
The marriage OF an army officer is con-
trary TO law. unless the bride possesses
rank This, OF course. Is sensible enough
because a French officer can hardly main
tain himself on his pay. and II he possess
"A large private income the matter can
be arranged with the minister or war; but
even this law II being attacked on the
ground that It sets a bad example TO the
people.
Since the war with Germany the popu-
lation has remained at a standsull. or
rather as the vital statistics demonstrate te
the increase has been due to immigration.
Germany on the one side, 'pe.fide AL
bion'' on the other almost equally detes-
table. increase, multiply and replenish
their armies. Poor France, TO remain sta
tionary is TO retrograde.
The cause? Horrible as Il may seem.
science leaves no doubt on this subject
infanticide. OF course there il a law TO
fit the crime. Unfortunately, II is a dead
letter. as II is impossible TO get a convic-
ton from French jury except i'm the
most extraordinary cases.
MEETS NTH OPPOSITION.
One measure proposed i'm the senate by
Senator Bcranger. proposes that trials
for infanticide be taken out OF the hands
OF juries and that the Judge shall be able
10 fnhiet u sentence OF two years at hard
Labor at his discretion
This measure meets with considerable
oppo=itton, and the attack is led by
Marcel Provost.
"a think the proposition to adopt new
legislation on the subject OF infanticide
would produce insomnia he writes,
even I'm these long December nights. The
crime OF infanticide suggests very COM
plex sentiments Odious withal, since the
one struck down is without defence. IL Is
especially repugnant as one reflects on
the adorable and holy idea of maternity.
ha trim lau hxs
grave legislators seem abominable at
frat glance. yet for all that they will be
found TO contain those views of human
ity and justice which Inspire honest men.
However. humbry confess that / am not
clear on these points.As the judges say,I
am unable 10 resolve my doubts; others
must decide for me.
The Beranger law will prove a sooth-
ing application to this sore on the body
polite. But those who will assure to worn-
ankind the respect OF all when she Is a
mother will not lay down their arms be-
cause of these propositions.
NEARLY ALWAYS PREMEDIrATED
'Infanticide is nearly always premedi-
tated, the only crime over which one
broods for months before IL Is committed
Marriage II one OF the constituent prin-
ciplss Of society. Thus IL is well that So
ciety should safeguard matrimony I'm
every possible way and punish those who
break the laws With which IL is hedged
about.
That which revolts generous spirits is
the hypocrisy which visits the severest
punishment on class of offenders the
least able to protect itself A Jury will
listen to the story or crime, but It will
look over at the poor mother who has
slain her child. and whatever the intel
lect may counsel the Mart will promot
the verdict Not guilty WIN a Judge do
othsrwisee', ,,'s ....'.s ~
After presenting the objections to the
various remedies which have been offered
by the lawmakers OF the land. this big
hearted Frenchman proposes "a remedy,
humane In itself. and which, could II he
applied. would undoubtedly obviats the
present troubles.
let the pillars OF society" he saws,
"cry to these suffering mothers. Come To
us and We Will give you the right to
maintain your self-respect In spite of
your maternity. We will guarantee you
not only material aid, but moral sup
port
Such is the remedy thought of by
man OF letters. IL is interesting 20 con-
trast its spirit with that which Inspires
the Solons OF France.
And, while the final solution OF this vi-
tai question is being discussed, II might
not be amiss for the French Republic TO
take a lesson from Sparta. when that Rc-
public, though not from a like cause.
was suffering from the same great evil.
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