New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-03


w question may be startling. 1t may
w 70 some seem fantastic. But, then,
a year ago a literal prophecy OF
N, war would have been startling and would
nav. seemed fantastic; as much so as the ques-
don which have propounded.
II. question. or. rather, an affirmative an
svg TO it. is in fact entirely logical, on the
pa-tiye basis which so many have now
,3,,,ed. j. is approved by economic princi-
,j,,. on similar basis. 1t is supported by the
Examples and analogies Of history and even OF
contemporary sociology and ethnology. And
hi-not least significant of all-at the present
nonsnt being seriously advanced by two con-
Rsrsble bodies Of men.
MiEtarists and Mormons; these are the prop
,gsndsts. They seem from one point OF view
a.ongruous partners. Three or four years
40, indeed they were antagonistc. Mormon
Missionaries were excluded altogether from
Gsmany. They were expelled from Sweden.
They were harried and mobbed in England
Yet in spite Of such treatment they numerously
Kept a footing there, openly or secretly; and
when the war broke out they came Hooking
home 10 America by hundreds, from Germany
Austria Hungary Belgium, Scandinavia and
Great Britain The objection to them was, OF
course, their propaganda Of polygamy. and
their consequent efforts TO make converts OF
attractive and vigorous young women.
The HAREM IDEA STILL RULES IN
MORMON HEARTS.
For. OF course it must be understood that
hormons to-day are at heart as much polyga-
niss as ever they were in the harem days OF
Brigham Young. They make form OF &C
qusscence in the law OF the United States, but
they still regard polygamy as divineiy insu-
uted ordinance. which in the end is to triumph
over Gentle persecution and universally pre-
vail Moreover their prophets are even no"
declaring that the present war IS judgment
Of heaven upon the nations for the persecution
" the Saints, the sure result OF which VIII De
me general acceptance OF their characteristic
Doctrine and practice.
This is the logic Of the case: War IS enor-
rously destructive Of human lite, and at us
nd there must be a replenishing OF the Popu-
alton, But the vast majority OF lives lost arc
hose Of young and middle aged men, the
actual or potential fathers OF the next genera
ION. How great the destruction OF the psteI-
aa element will be in this war is yet matteI
speculation, save that it will certainly be
'normous. Already we hear OF the slaughter
o. tens and even scores Of thousands. Indeed
I've were 70 credit all reports we should have
- Al. h.
'adreds Of thousands If such losses have
NSarTed in a few months in a couple OF war
nnss only lew miles wide, IT seems not e%-
uassgant 70 expect that a million, perhaps
F'sTal million, lives may be destroyed before
y Allies reach Berlin or the Germans reaeh
@oaoon, Paris and Petrograd.
Now, the killing OF million men means Tar
1''s in vital statistics than merely the direct
'oaeton OF the population by that number
Means corresponding reduction-under a
@aogamic system-of potency for propaga-
% Of the race. If a million men are killed
~llon potential fathers are eliminated and the
seduction of several million children is pre-
stee. million women are doomed to
'"owhood, or spinsterhood, with no hope OF
ssiul progeny That must mean a grave re-
~Saon Of the birth rate at the very time when
~'eeoyer from the effects OF war a high birth
s most desirable.
~ normal times the sexes are about equal
numbers, so that under a monogamic mar
!" system practically every woman may be-
+as mother, and thus the reproductive et-
A'ney Of the entire population may be fully
seo. But when one sex outnumbers the
~ there is TO that extent an impairment OF
eiheiency. and the ratio Of increase is
- upon the numbers of the minority SEX