New-York tribune., 1901-04-10
EUROPEAN POPULATIONS.

The German Empire has now a population or
about tfty-sX millions. That is the announce
ment which is made. and which carries much
qualification TO the Teutonic race in all parts of
the world. II shows that Germany has become
by far the most populous country of Europe
save only Russia, and that its popula ton is in
creasing steadily and far more rapidly than is
generally to be expected In long settled
land and in one sending out so many emgrants
The present rate of increase is more than per
cent year. and the tendency is toward an in
crease Of the rate. so that the next generation
If, indeed. not the present. may see the empire
exultng in one hundred million inhabitants or
nearly many Russia has at the present
time The chief significance of the figures is
best to he appreciated. however. by comparison
with the Censuses of other countries and by
noting the changes in standing of the various
European countries.
At the beginning of the eighteenth century. in
1I01, France was the most populous of Euro
pean countries. having 196O0o0O inhabitants
Germany--that is to say. all the Germanic States
which were not then united in an empire. as at
present-was second with 19.50O00O Russia
was probably close third. though her popula-
ton at that time is not known. Great Britain
was comparatively petty nation OF only 5000
900 souls. In 1880 some material changes were
a
stood Ia the first place. with 2s.0000OO France
WAS second with 26000O00 Russia was third
with 25,000,000 and Great Britain fourth with
12.000000 At the present time Russia is first
with about 10700o0oO Germany second with
560G000O Great Britain third with 40 600 600
and France fourth with 39O0OO00. II should
be borne in mind. however, with respect 10
Russia that much of her increase is 10 he
credited 10 conquest and annexation. her seiz-
ures of Poland. Finland and other territories
having added probably 25.000000 10 her popu-
laton. AS TO Germany II is to be observed that
while the figures given for 17o1 and l1S9 in
clude Austria those of the present time do not
If TO the SO 600 900 of the German Empire we
add the German population of Austria we shall
hive a total of about 66,OOOOOO. In the case Of
Great Britain must remember that there has
been no increase through acquisition of terri
tory, while there has been far larger loss
through emigration than any other country has
suffered In view of these facts the British in
crease of population may well be considered the
most notable of all. Finally, France has gained
nothing through annexation, but has actually
lost something through Germany's reclamation
OF Alsace Lorraine. She has, however lost
fewer through emigration than any Of the others
mentioned.
The decline of France in relative rank is as
noteworthy is the rise of Germany and the
United Kingdom. In 170l, of the aggregate
populations Of France. Germany and Great
Britain, France had nearly 40 per cent In 17S9
OF the gross population Of those three. plus
Russia. she had no less than 2S per cent BY
1915 she had fallen to % per cent of the four,
and at the present time she has only n trihe
more than - per cent. To-day France has a
considerably smaller population than Austria
Hungary, md is in danger Of being presently
outstripped by Italy. Causes and potential
remedies for this state Of affairs in France are
copiously discussed. but the ominous fact re-
mains unchanged. It's bearing and the bearing
OF the other figures and ranks we have cited
upon the future Of Europe can scarcely he ex-
aggerated in Importance.