New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-09
Wars Grim Nor
tally Figures

N and the compiacent comments of
editors (most Of them doubtless
past the draft age) the front line trenches
in France appear to be, on the whole, a
rather healthy place Of resort.
Luther b. Little, in "Leslie's," thus sums
up the life insurance experience:
"In an article published in the Economic
World OF August 4. 1917. Miles VI. Dawson
gives as the total death rate per 1000 per
annum among 100000 men insured by the
London Prudential VINO have been in the
present war, as 30 per 1000, per annum.
And he estimates that the ordinary death
rate among those policyhoders in time Of
peace was at least 10 per 1000 per annum.
"The war registration showed that there
are. in round numbers. 10 100000 men between
the ages Of twenty-one and thirty-one IN
the United States, and the average death rate
among these in time OF peace IS per
900. Il sounds like a calamity 20 say that
among the young men of America between
twenty-one and thirty-onc $4,000 will die
in year. Il is terrible thing, but IL IS
the condition that prevails in time OF peace,
when the young men are engaged in their
usual vacations. The figures show that they
die al the rate Of 6G66 per month, or over
registered went to the war. the list of deaths
during the first year would be sickening when
decorated with headlines IN the ne% So pap
The actuaries' table shows that 10000 OF
them would drop out, one by one, II they
MINED ~ home
War IS hell m rs casualties out us ie's
than four in a hundred, or the average, who
die for their country
recent news story from Washington
H..
''"'0' '''''
The Committee on Pubic Information an
ncunccd to-day that II has obtained from
official sources the most nearly accurate hg-
ures yet received in relation 20 casualties
on the Western front These figures, taken
when the casualties were very great in pro
rortion to modified strength and combined
with a high proportion Of deaths, show APP
proxmately II in every 1000 Of modified
strength.
According 10 the figures presented by the
French High Commissioner in his letter 20
the Secretary of War the high water marx
OF casualties in the French army was reached
early in the war at the battles Of Charleroi
and the Marine The casualties in that period
were 5.4l per cent Of the modified strength,
or Sal men in every 10000 with the colors.
=. ..---,, ~ H.. 49,, ,os
IL Is pretty wei "sIecu ''"' ''o "'o'
tally now IS much less than IN the carry
STAGES of the war and Mr. Roger ".
p,bsop tho eminent s+otis+iciap Is Tins
q"''eO 81 VIC
"The mortality is very much less to-day
than it was at the beginning OF the war The
gas and other hideous forms Of attack are
icing well handled nj the present time Meh
who are sensible and careful can well protect
themselves against these things Experience.
10th in the protection Of the soldier and
the care of the wounded. is constantly re.
ducing the death rate as the war progresses.
With the exception Of wounds obtained dur
ing charges, which, Of course, are very dan
gerous, most wounds are in the arm and
shoulder, when can DC easily neaIed, or n
s.rioms Amnu.otior Of limbs is very much
less than in previous wars.
The mortality varies considerably with
the different branches OF the service. A man
who is connected with the heavy field artil-
lcry is no more likely to be- killed than II
in the employ of our railroads, but the fel-
lows engaged in certain other branches are
in much more danger. II is also said that
the mortality among certain classes OF ON
GERS, such as heutenants, aergeants and cor
rorals, IS proportIonaI'y very much greater
man a"i bnS much Sroator tho mortaity .
among volunteer corps than among drafted
men. Ii the Roosevelt volunteers had gone
TO the front, the mortality among such
body would doubtless have been very hign.