Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1906-03-26
RACE SUICIDE IN FRANCE.



IL Decreasing Every Year.
Serious public opinion in France is
much moved by the publication of fig
ures showing that the increase In popu-
lation for last year is lower than ever
before The term "depopulation' is
very commonly used. but it is hardly
correct. since the population Is not alb
solutely decreasing. but remaining sta
tionary. Eight hundred thousand chill
dren were born in 1904. Each year
since the war there has been regu-
lar retrogressio,,. The figures were
higher in 1908 than in 1904 and higher
again in 1902 than in 1903
Immediately after the war the births
averaged D6O, 900; to-day the figures
are $4,000. or 141.OW less There is no
reason to suppose that the family spirit
is awakening in France: therefore. in
another thirty years the 100000 VIII
have shrunk by another 100000 The
death rate has slightly increased. but
is not in any sense abnormal. 1t rep
resents 761 900 In place Of 153.OW 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
tlstics OF the neighbors OF France: In
1909. the last figures available. England
had over 1WN.oOO births. That repre-
sents net increase Of population OF
800. OOO--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 she
could people Alsacp-Lorrans with n
ress made by Germany in the numbers
of her people stands revealed when one
takes q genera! look at the statistics
for the last fifty years.
! In 1880 France and Germany had a
population that was practically equal,
say 35OOO.OOO. To-day the one is 80,
OOO,O 600 or 39,OOOOOO. the other Is CO.
600. These are very significant figures,
upon which it IL Impossible not to rum
mate. This difference in population ac-
counts for a great deal. 1t 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 di-
rection OF the Nosges.
1t is obvious that France can never
become a real colonlzing power with n
new population" that is diminishing.
These things are well understood by
enlightened public opinion here. but. I'M
fortunately. 10 one has been able to
suggest q 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
/ New Year. But his remedies. such as
/ they arc--bonnseS for the fathers OF
large families and medals for mothers
--can but touch the fringe of the Ques-
I iion. The real reason is not economic.
though of course. tho division OF prop
crty among the children under French
! law has something to do with If; it
goes much deeper. than that.
CiviliZatiol--if that is the right
name for it-Or ut least the knowledge
of good and evil. has reached point
! in France unattained by any other ma
| ton. Doctrines touching upon the linn
iiation of population are openly dis
cl,sse;l and the child is not brought into
the world unless there is at least u
pewter spoon in it's mouth. 1t is the
excess Of thrift the Overcare for the
morrow. that is the secret of the situa-
tiun. Mall Gazette.