Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-13
Rate e Increase
per year

1.3
The last, that for 1882. has recently been
published and has renewed popular interest
in the matter. The figures like those OF
earlier dates, refer 10 the population of
China proper only. The Chinese empire is
give min 1902 423,9oo,0oo.
The above table shows a rapid 5roxth
during the eighteenth century, resulting
about the end of the century in filing the
country to a high density of population.
During the nineteenth century the popula-
ton has. on the whole, increased very slow
~, indeed. and since 1872 it has been al
most at standstiil. These phenomena
Were to have been expected since they con-
form TO the experience of other countries,
and they increase ones faith in the sub
stantial correctness of the figures. 1t may
be that the population in III. and to less
degree in 1I13, was underStated, Il poss bic
error which, If corrected, would diminish
the rather rapid rates Of increase III the
two earliest periods
1t is stated by the Chinese authorities. in
explanation OF the method of making this
registration, that early in each year sched-
uleS are distributed to each household by
the magistrates of the district. TO be filed
out and returned before the end of the
year. On each schedule was TO be entered
the number in the family or house at the
beginning of the ytar, the number of
deaths other omissions, the number OF
births and other additions, and the result
tnis were thoroughly carried out II would
give the total population very closely.
The density of population is 80 per
square mile, less than In Belgium, Java,
Netherlands and Great Britain. and the
same as in Japan This density is not.
therefore, an argument against the correct
ness of the number. With this explanation
the so-callcd census may be dismissed with
the conclusion that the figures are in all
probability rot too large. but may be too
small and are likely to prove not far from
the truth.
Assuming the population of China to be
approximately correct, there remain UNI
known population estima ted at about
22I.cOOc0 scattered over many parts of the
earth. Among the countries not enume-
rated several of the Central and South
American republics. of which a regular cen
of population can be taken without Spe-
cial difficulty. The same is true Of Turkey
and of the countries of northern Africa, of
Siam and French 1ndo-China, but the wild
peoples of Africa and of central and south
western Asia offer difficulties to the use Of
this method and other less accurate meth
DDS must be adopted.
At recent meeting of the international
Statistical Institute a committee ap-
pointed for the purpose of devising meth
DDS for estimating population in countries
having no census. This committee has
made report with recommendations sum-
married. follows.
/, That wherever possible regular GEN.
sus. by house-to-house canvass. be made.
simplifying the ScneuhltS 10 4 rev. ncceS-
sary data.
, That where such method is napplic-
able owing to the low stage OF culture of
the people, the houses be counted and the
number of houses multiplied by the average
number of occupants. determined by count
ing the number of inmates in numerous
cases.
3 That where it is mpracttcable to carry
such count of houses over the entire area,
representative districts OF bands OF country
be selected and the houses counted therein,
thus samplins the country.
This last method Is open to the objection
that there is no certainty OF obtaining fair
samples, and hence the results are Liable to
be misleading. better plan and one ap-
plicable to most wild peoples IS the very
simple and direct one of asking for infor-
nation. Most such people are organized
into small units, such Villages or clans.
under head man. Whatever he may be-
locally called. These head men. whose add
herentS may number from few score 10 Il
few hundreds, know the number OF their
adherents approximately and generally with
accuracy. Even if he cannot count he can
cut notches III a stick to express the num-
Der.
This method was largely used. and with
success, in the recent enumeration OF the
wild people of the Philippines, especially
the Igorotes and Moros. In using ii the
smallest body of population should be that
inquired about. a head man of hundred
knows the number OF his people far more
closely than the chief of a thousand.
To complete the enumeration of the world
IL is then necessary to take measures In va
rious directions IN civilized and partly
civilized countries, such the republics of
Central and South America. Turkey, China,
Japan and Siam, the governments of the re-
spec1ive countries should be urged to under
take the work. and should be assisted SO far
possible. Similarly those powers having
colonies and spheres of influence should he
urged to erumerate or at least to estimate
the population OF their possessions IE those
parts of the earth not under control of any
civilized power. explorers and travellers
should be encouraged to obtain the closest
possible estimates OF the number of people.
and should be supplied with the necessary
Instructions and blanks, work already un-
6ertaken ~ the International Statistical In,
sri