The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-04

been published and has renewed popu-
lar interest in the matter. The figures,
like those Of earlier dates, refer to the
population of China proper only. The
Chinese empire is given in 1902 as 423,-
The above table shows a rapid growth
during the eighteenth century, result
ing about the end Of the century IL
filling the country to a high density OF
population. During the nineteenth cen.
fury the population has, on the whole,
increased very slowly, indeed, and since
1872 lES3l It has been almost at standstlll.
These phenomena were to have been.
expected since they conform to the ex-
perience of other countries, and they
increase one s faith in the substantial
correctness of the figures. It may be
that the population in I'LL, and to
less degree in 1853, was understated, a
possible error which, if corrected, would
crease in the two earliest periods. q
It is stated by the Chinese authcri-
ties, in explanation of the method Of
making this registration, that early in
each year schedules are distributed to
each household by the magistrates CT
the district, to be filled out and re-
turned 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 year, the number, CT
deaths or other omissions, the number
of births and other additions, and the
resulting number at the close OF the
year. If this were thoroly carried cut
it, 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 i'm Japan. This density is not,
therefore, an argument against the COR
rectness Of the number. With this ex-
PLANTATION the so-called. census may be
dismissed with the conclusion that the
figures are in all probability not 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
unknown population estimated at about
227, 10000 scattered over many parts
Of the earth. Among the countries not
enumerated are several Of the Central
a regular census of population can be
taken without special difficulty. The
same is true Of Turkey and of the coun-
tries of northern Africa of Siam and
French Indo- 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
meCnOQS nuSC De duOpIeu.
A Committee of Estimators.
At a recent meeting Of the Internal
tional Statistical Institute a committee
was appointed for the purpose of de-
vising methods for estimating popula-
ton in countries having no census.
This committee has made report with
recommendations summarized as fol-
lows:
First-That wherever possible a regu-
lar census, by a house-to-house canvass,
be made, simplifying the schedules to a
few necessary data.
Second-That where such a method is
inapplicable owing to the low stage Of
culture Of the people, the houses be
counted and the number of houses null
tiplied by the average number of occu-
pants, determined by counting the num-
Der of inmates in numerous cases.
Third-That where 1t is impracticable
| to carry such a count of houses over the
entire area, representative districts or
bands of country be selected and the
houses counted therein, thus sampling
the country.
The last method is open to the objec-
ton that there is no certainty Of OBJ
tanning fair samples, and hence the re-
suits are liable to be misleading. A
better plan and one applicable to most
wild peoples is the very simple and di-
rect one Of asking for information.
Most such people are organized into
small units, such as villages or clans,
under head man, whatever he may be
locally called. These head men, whose
adherents may number from a few
score to few hundreds, know the num-
Der of their adherents approximately,
and generally with accuracy. Even if
he cannot count he can cut notches in
a stick to express the number.
This method was largely used, and
with success, i'm the recent enumeration
Of the wild people of the Philippines,
especially the 1grot and Moros. In
using it 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 it is then. necessary to take
measures in various directions. In
civilized and partly -civilized countries,
such as the republics of Central and
South America, Turkey, China, Japan
and Siam, the governments of the re-
spective countries should be urged to
undertake the work, and should be as
sisted so far as possible. Similarly
those powers having colonies and
spheres of influence should be urged to
enumerate or at least to estimate the
population of their possessions. In
those parts of the earth not under con-
troll Of any civilized power, explorers
and travellers should no orr,o ~, 70 rod ~