Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1916-11-09
DECLINING BIRTH
Rate noticeable
French Repopulation Pro-
blem Now AWakeneS
the Nation
ALMOST LED, NOW
is ALMOST LAST

PARIS. Nov. 9.-The repopulation
problem is passing from theory TO
practical effort in reawakened France.
Sociologists, savants and scientists
had for years before the war pointed
out the dangers Of declining birth
rate. Nothing was done, however, be-
yOnd the appointment of legislab We
commissions that never reported,
and. so far as the general public was
concerned, it does not seem the dan
ger was realized until the Germans
made it real and operative at Charlie
roi, by sending against the left wing
of the allied armies masses OF troops
sufficient to overwhelm them
Heroism. aided by different c-rcum-
stances, prevailed against superior
numbers in the battles Of the Marine
and Nancy In another case the con-
tributing circumstances might be
lacking and herOism alone, without
numbers. might not prevail.
What happened at CharlerOi, say
the students Of this question, might
have been seen IN figures before the
war when the statistics showed three
Germans born for every Frenchman.
For the maintenance OF peace after
the war. they hold. treaties may NOS
be relied upon. The most potential
deterrent will be an increased num-
Der of soldiers.
The population of France which
was 30 per cent. of the total Of the
great Powers of Europe in 1914, had
fallen to 1G per cent. in 1918. In 1883
France had 2G,O00.O00. against 2S,000,-
600 for all of the German speaking
countries
Progressive Decline.
In 1914 the population OF the prln-
pal European countries was:
France, 29,350.O0O: Greas Britain and
Ireland, 100000; Austria, 10000
600: Prussia. 100000.
in 1880 the figures were: France,
81 100000: Great Britain and Ireland
G4.OO0,000: Austria, 100000; Ger
man Empire. 45,60O.OOO; Italy. 2S,60O,-
600
In 1913. the figures were: France.
$4,000 600: Great Britain and Ireland,
100000; Austria. 53,0O0,OOO; Ger
man Empire. 6S,0OO.000; Italy 36.50O.-
600
In the space Of a single generation.
France had been passed by Germany
IN 1865. by Austria in 1880. and by
Great Britain in 1895. and was beng
closely pressed by Italy.
Deaths and Births Grave Sign.
The gravity of the situation was
shown by the figures of 1911. when
there were 10000 deaths against
7i2 600 births, a net loss Of $4,000.
At the outbreak Of the war the Ger
mans were in the proportion of lSS 10
100. but in another 20 years the pro
norton would have been 300 TO 100
in the natural rate OF progression.
This meant that the Germans had
each year $50. 900 recruits against
3O0.OO0 while in 20 years they would
have had 100000 to 100000 or less
These figures we're known before
the war but they seem TO have at
tracted the attention of scientists only.
II remained for the battles OF Charle'
roi and Morhange to impress their
fun significance upon the more prac-
teal minds.
To-day business men and business
associations. ayr cultural syndicates.
chambers Of commerce and leaders in
all walks Of life have taken the ques-
tion up.
All that had been done previous to
the war was the granting by law IN
1890 of a free scholarship in one OF
the colleges to one of seven oh ldren
Of the same family. II is now gen
orally admitted that it is the first
three or four that should be encour-
aged. That is the object OF the pro
posed law recently introduced in the
Chamber of Deputies by Monsieur
Paul Benazet Deputy for the Depart
ment OF the Indre. It provides a
premium OF 500 francs for each Of the
first and second children 1000 francs
for the third and 1000 francs for the
fourth. and / 900 francs for each sue
ceeding child.
This will not be a powerful incen-
tive to the rich. but it will be boon
to the poor The rich will be reached
in other ways; by the force OF public
opinion. perhaps. becoming so strong
as to constitute a formidable pres
sure; perhaps by other proposed fis-
cal legislation discriminating in favor
of the large family