Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1906-04-07
RACE SUICIDE IN FRANCE.
statistics show that the Birth Rata
IL Decreasing Every Year.

Statistics show that the Birth Rate
IL Decreasing Every Year.
Serious public opinion in France IL
much moved by the publication OF fiR.
ures showing that the Increase In popu.
lation for last year Is lower than ever
before. The term "depopuIationr ia
very commonly used, but It Is hardly
correct, since the population Is not alb
solutely decreasing, but remaining sta
tlonary Eight hundred thousand chill
dren were born In 1904. Each year
since the war there has been a regu-
lar retrogression. The figures we're
higher In 1908 than in 1904 and higher
again In 1902 than In 1903.
Immediately after the war the births
averaged 100000 to-day the figures
are $4,000 or 10000 less. There is no
reason to suppose that the family spirit
Is awakening in France; therefore, In
another thirty years the 100000 will
have shrunk by another 10000. The
death rate has slightly increased, but
Is not In any sense abnormal II rep
resents 10000 in place Of $4,000 last
year. Consequently, the insignificant
margin of $1,000 separates the coming
France from the departing France, the
births from the deaths.
The Importance Of such figures Is al
ways relative. What are the vital sta
ustics Of the nclghbors of France? In
1903, the last figures available, England
had over 100000 births That repre-
Sents a net increase of population OF
5oOOOO-that is to say, ten times the
figures of France. From political
sense greater Importance attaches to
the tables of Germany. The land of
the Kaiser has increased 100000 in
habitants, so that in two years che
could people Alsace- Lorraine with a
new population, The enormous prog
ress made by Germany in the numbers
of her people stands revealed when one
takes a general look at the statistics
for the last fifty years.
In 1850 France and Germany had q
population that was practically equal.
say 35,00000 To-day the one IL 49,,
100000 or 100000 the other Is CO.
GOO. These are very significant figures,
upon which 1t is impossible not to rum
mate. This difference in population &C
counts for a great deal. It explains
the necessity Of German expansion
the restless desire for fresh fields and
pastures new. 1t explains, also, the
other side OF the shield-the recent
"frousse' this country had when the
war lord lifted up his sword In the IL
rection of the Vosges.
1t Is obvious that France can never
become n real colonizing power with a
'new population" that is diminishing.
These things are well understood by
enlightened public opinion here, but, I'M
fortunately, no one has been able to
suggest n scientific remedy. Nj. Plot,
/ the well known senator, labors in sea
son and out of season preaching the
gospel Of large families, but no one
! pays attention, except to send the good
man a shower of comic cards at the
I New Year. but his remedies. such rs
they are--bonuses for the fathers or
large families and medals for mothers
can but touch the fringe Of the ques-
lion. The real reason Is not economic,
though, Of course, the division of prop
erty among the children under French
law has something to do with 1t; 1t
goes much deeper than that.
Clyllizatlon-if that Is the right
name for it-or at least the knowledge
Of good and evil. has reached a point
I'm France unattaiued 10y any other ma
ton Doctrines touching upon the lin
itaton Of population are openly dis
cusscd and the child Is not brought Into
the world unless there is at least
pewter spoon in Its mouth. 1t is the
excess Of thrift, the oycroarc for the
morrow, that is the secret Of the sltua-
tion.-PalI Mall Gazette.