Arizona republican., 1918-03-09
to Nikaido Yasunori. There is

cording to Nikaido Yasunori. There is room for argument he admits, because some biologists insist that inferior or ganisms show sudden increase or de- crease, whereas superior organisms in crease and decrease more slowly ana regularly.
 The average yearly increase in Ja- pans population between 1909 and 1915 was 14.7S per thousand. No civilized European state can match these 1lS- ures. Even the German rate between 1900 and 1910 was only 14.2; and thls dwindled to 13.6 when the average was taken for the five years from l90o 10 1910. If birth rate be sure test or future national strength. England IS behind Germany, because official re- ports show that for the decade 1901- 1911 the English rate was only S.f; that of Austria S.9, while that Of France was only 0.6.
 The percentage of colonial popula- tion of Japan to it's home country is only 33.40, while that of England is S53, of France 131, of Germany tbe- fore the war) 23 and the United States 12. Japan is neither a large nor Q small colonial power.
 When density of population is con- sidered, Belgium (prior to the lnva- sion) led with 252 inhabitants to the square kilometre; England and Wales, 230; Holland. III; Japan, 140. In this connection MT. Nikaido mentions the obvious fact that in some countries large areas of mountainous or unpro- ductive lands exist.
 The writer then discusses the sex ratio, although he admits it's relative unimportance In the chief European af fo is in favor of women, probably due to the emigration of men. Death rate of boys is greater than girls the world over Not until 1899 was systematic inquiry made regarding the death rate in Japan. The dreadful mortality from 1 tuberculosis was then first recognized. The next greatest enemy of the Jap anese is heart disease. Unlike phthisis, which reaches its maximum between the ages of twenty and twentysix, heart diseases attack the Japanese over forty. Stomach and intestinal disorders. have third place, largely among children. Cancer is confined to the aged. Tuberculosis is being fought by the best medical talent of Japan, and if it's ravages can be checked the empire will take its place among the healthiest nations of the world.
 In conclusion, the distinguished Jap anese says:
 While the present war in Europe may be traced to various couses, there is no denying that the population ques- ton lies at the root of the trouble, the object of pam -Germanism being to se- cure large colonies in Asia for the sur plus German population. As all the other powers are equally under the same necessity, it will be very interest ing to watch how the belligerents vii bring the conflict to an end and what policy they will pursue after the war.
 At this particular moment it is i'm.
 possible for the Japanese to overlook
 the fact that the population of theil
 country is very dense. as compared with many other of the leading world
 states. If the entire area of the coun. try is taken into account, Japan occu- pies the fourth place in this respec
 among world powers; and when allow ance is made for uninhabitable regions mountains, rivers, lakes and the like
 Japan may be regarded as one of tn,
 most densely inhabited countries in tn
 world. With the exception of som
 cold northern areas, neither Japal
 proper nor her colonies can long pro