The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-07-13
Necessary to Keep 1t
From Becoming Sec
ond-ClasS Power.
BIRTH FIGURES
ARE ALARMING
Years of 1911 and 1912 Worst
Ever Registered in That Coun-
try-Smaller Nations Rapidly
Outstripping 1t in Their
Increase Of Popu-
lation.
ny GEORGES DrrREsNs.

Paris, July 12-"What France really
wants III order not 10 become second
class power" says Or jacques Bertil-
Ion, OF finger print fame. SIS not a milf
tary law Of three years. which VIII
really only be palliative. to be fol-
lowed by demands for four and five
years service. but more children, just
rs other countries have them"
The doctor shows that the years OF
1871 and 1912 have been the worst ever
registered in France. Before 1907 this
country never had less than 500. GOO
births; before 1887 she had never less
than 100000 and before 1867 the figure
was in the neighborhood Of J. 0o0. 600.
This. or nearly SO, was the number OF
births in Germany at that period But
to-day the number of births in Ger
many Is about 100000. while France
has to regard 10000 as the normal
figure
Holland, with population OF one
eighth of that OF France, has n greater
number OF births TO record each year
II is often pretended that the increase
in. the population Is checked In other
countries rs we'll rs in France The
contrary is the case. During the period
Of 1907 1905 Italy's population increased
$4,000 Inhabitants. that OF Austria
Hungary by $4,000. and that of Ger
many by $4,000 These figures, crush
ing as they are for France, are lower
than the present figures.
the number OF marriages in France
rose 10 3il,a29 In 1912. Few countries
have so high figure In comparison
with their population. Frenchmen
marry readily enough. but they lack
children in their homes They have at
present two OF three. but they should
have three or four. Dr. Bcrtillon says
II would be necessary TO protect honor.
and especially TO help ciiicaciously
those who render 10 the country tho
valuable service Of rearing families
Fruitful Topic.
The present condition Of France is n
fruitful topic for writers. When Ger
many announced her decision greatly
TO strengthen her army. there was no
doubt in the minds OF many thinkers
that She was making preparation for
what they describe as the decisive
hour" II became necessary for French
men who think and write TO take stock
OF the position of tho country, and to
point out the dangers which threat
ened it, They rose 10 the occasion. and
none more readily than NJ de Mum
who was writing n book which is be-
ing much discussed just now.
The duty which lies before France is
clearly indicated by NJ. de Mum Re-
viewing the book in the "Gaulois." NJ
Emile FaGuet, the Academician. dwclls
on one of the questions which tho au-
thor discusses al length and which was
the real reason for writing the book
the necessity Of France returning to
the three years military system. NJ
iaures the Socialist leader as an an
tagonist OF militarism, has done his
best 10 oppose the government one
OF his arguments was that the great
Marshal Bugeaud attacked the three
years system. II is true that the great
soldier attacked II, but his onslaught
was made not because. as the Socialist
leader wanted 10 make out, three years
WAS too long a period for man to
serve In the army, but because il was
too short. he wanted the period to be
seven years
The decision of Franco TO make every
sacrifice to maintain her position has
produced great moral effect in Eu-
rope and particula-fy IN. Germany \
few months ago France was represented
In that country as degenerate nation
incapable Of resistance IT was sug-
gestcd that German arinanents would
be sufficient 10 iNtimidatc her Though
she might make Il financial sacrifice in
Keeping with her wealth She would
never, u was said. have the energy to
make military effort. Then the three
years law WAS Introduced
This move caused great surprise in
Germany. where the hone was enter
ta,ned that the country would rise I'D
against tho proposal When however.
all classes. with the exception ~ tho
Socialists, accepted the sacrifice. there
vas CONSERVATION which soon turned
into jealous admiration NJ Faeuct
considers that the moral effect OF pass
ing the army bill viii be Ike winning
battle
Aeroplanc II Stoler