The Washington times., 1917-02-26
British Eugenists Begin Cam.
paign to Fill Depleted Ranks
of Manhood.
AN AFTER THE WAR DUTY
Experts Now Advise Against
Hasty Marriages in the
Empire.

LONDON, Feb. 26.-British eugen-
lists have begun a campaign to in
crease the birth rate and fih up the
depleted ranks OF the fit. There have
been many sensational suggestions
put forth, some going 20 far as to
favor the application o. stock yard
methods, but the eugenists are con-
tent with awakening the nations
moral sense and appealing to the
spirit of patriotism.
1t would not be surprising to see
the government paste up giant posters
in the near future appealing to men
and women to bear in mind their OBJ
legations to the State. II is known
that when the time comes for de-
moblizing the army Of 5000. 900 robust
men the government willinform them
that their duty has not ended with
the laying down of arms; that all
must carry into civilian life a firm
determination to bring into existence
q new generation of the highest type.
Major Leonard Darwin, president OF
the Eugenlcs Education Society, Is
authority for the statement that II is
immoral as well as unpatriotic to
parents ARE. healthy, except to insure
that there shall be an adequate id
terval between births and that the
family shall be brought up in COM
fort, but not in luxury. The real aim
of the eugenist, according to Major
Darwin, is not to produce supermsn,
but to improve the Unborn qualities
Of the existing higher types.
Two Problems Ahead
The war has confronted the nation
with two problems. the first to in
crease the birth rate among the Mt,
the second to diminish the fertility OF
the UNFIT. As to the first, reforms In
taxation may be inaugurated to en-
courage the PROPAGATION of large fam
ilies. giving the father of several
children an opportunity of rearing
them properly without external aid.
This would mean that as a mans fam
ily increases his taxes automatically
decrease.
1t Is to America that many British
eugenists are looking for the solution
of the second problem, that of eN-
cluding from marriage the types that
are unfit to become parents. There
are many laws. especially in the mid
die western states across the water,
that could be used to re-enforce the
existing legislation in England. II
Is probable that the mental deficiency
act. which prohibits the marriage of
idiots or others of unsound mind, will
be extended and administered with
greater care. 1t will undoubtedly be
extended to include drunkards, GRIM
inals and paupers.
Eugenists are fostering a move
ment for an investigation to ascer-
tain the danger to the nation from
the present rapid multiplication of
inferior stocks. This war condition
has been more or less talked about
since early in 1914. but its true i'm
port is just beginning to be noticed.
IT is the question that eugenists be-
lieve should receive fearless treat
ment. the whole subject stripped of
false and well nigh criminal
modesty.
Major Darwin recently stated pub
licIy that the greatest criticism of
eugenic reform came from the we'll
known fact that offspring frequently
differ from their parents. On the
other hand. modern science indorses
the belief OF every breeder of animals
in the advantage OF breeding only
from the best stock.
Against Hasty Marriages
Hasty and Ill advised marriages
are all too common throughout Eng
land during these war times. say the
eugenists. who would substitute for
the apparently blind selection OF
nature In the matter of parentage a
conscious and rational selection. The
Manchester Guardian publishes an H.
Eliminating paragraph on the trend
OF war marriages. II says:
"Cpholders OF the social properties
tof whom there are a larger number
left than most people suppose) are
becoming much exercised about the
extraordinary tumble that has taken
place in the ranks OF society through
hasty war weddings. Hundreds of
marriages have taken place that