The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1917-08-23
MANS CHANCES IN WAR.
About 60 Men Per 1000 Being Kill
ed and 100 Per 1000 Wounded
i'll European War.
The following is by Roger Babe
son StatiStician:

The following is by Roger Babe
son, statistician:.
"Clients whose sons and friends
have been called under the recent
draft should get considerable COM
fort from a study OF the mortality
course it is very difficult to secure re-
liable figures, but we understand
that about 60 men per 1000 are be-
ing killed, and about $50 men out
of each 1000 are wounded, although
most of these wounded return again
to the trenches. This percentage OF
casualties is not high. OF course it
cannot be compared with the normal
death rate in peace times, which is
about s per 1000 for the ages of the
men at the front. The great loss of
previous wars has been from disease.
This has been very largely elimlnat-
ed. Some claim that a man at the
front today is less liable to dlsea0e
than If at home working in city.
1.-THE mortality is very much less
today than it was at the beginning OF
of the war. The gas and other hid,
eous forms of attack are being Well
handled at the present time. Men
who are sensible and careful can we'll
protect themselves against these
things Experience, both in the pro.
lection Of the soldier and the care OF
the death rate as the war progresses.
With the exception OF wounds OBJ
tanned during charges, which OF
course are very dangerous, most
wounds are in the arm and shoulder
which can be easily healed, or III the
sKuff. lie skull wounds are natuf-
ally serious. Amputation OF limbs IS
Very much less than in previous
wars
"The mortality varies consider
ablv with the different branches OF
service. A man who is connected
with the heavy field artillery is no
more likely to be killed than IL IN the
employ of our railroads, put inc iel.
lows engaged in certain other
branches are in much more danger.
1t is also said that the mortality
among certain classes Of officers;
such as lieutenants, sergeants ana
corporals is proportionately very
much greater than among pflFates.
1t is very interesting to see now
much greater the mortality is among
volunteer corps than among drafted
men. If the Roosevelt volunteers had
gone to the front, the mortanty
among such body would doubtless
have been very high.
eve believe that the drafted man
who goes as an ordinary soldier, TAX
ing his Judgment. with him and leaV-
ing his enthusiasm at home, is not
only most effective, but is fairly sure |
to return in better physical condition
than when he left. OF course, during
the one or more days a month that
it is his turn to charge, he is subject |
to great danger, but the rest OF the
time. with Reasonable precautions,
he is statistically, almost as well en-
as in the streets, of New York: Most
of the drafted men may see France,
which. by the way, will be beneficial |
to many of them Since, however,
the aeroplane appropriation has pass
ed. there is good chance that but few
Of them ever will be engaged i'll SER
ious fighting.
eve believe that the war will con-
tinue until we have several hundred
thousand troops and 10000 or more
aeroplanes in France, which should !
be some time next spring or summer,
We. however, feel that by the time I
these men and aeroplanes are over
there ready to do something worth |
while Germany will have come to her
senses We see no reason Tor Ger
many to stop until we are actually
in Europe with self-supporting bases,
prepared to strike hard; but we see
every reason why Germany should be
anxious to settle with us at that tune,
before we do strike. Our regular
army, and perhaps the militia, may
get into action at any time, but the
chances are four to one that the men
very little actual lighting in Europe:
Even if they are required to do hard
fighting, statistics are very much IN
their favor, and conditions are i'm
proving.