The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-07
THE RACES oF THE PACIFIC

By w. E. Allen, of the Scripps 1nsti-
 tute for Biological Research, Uni
 veristy of California.
 All of the five primary races of mankind are represented to some ex- tent in the Pacific area. Particular ly is this true if we include in that area the lands tributary to the In dian ocean. In the area draining di- rectly into the Pacific ocean proper the black race is not very conspicu- ous except in minor locations and the brown race is also relatively far from prominent though scattered over a considerable area through oc- cupancy of islands
 Of the other three races the red Is least important so far as immediate ly pressing problems of the Pacific are concerned. It has, however. very valuable possibilities in case con- structive program for Pacific affairs should be developed. As a race 1t is now confined mainly to areas in the two American continents extending about 1,200 miles on each side of the equator. It has in times past and does now in some localities show signs of initiative and organizing ability of a high type. But on the whole the main characteristic of this race Is passivity. coupled with geographical fixity and localization of interest. Whatever else 1t may do 1t is not likely to soon play part as a disturber in world affairs.
 Of the white race the reverse is true. Since the dawn of history ii has been notable for a disturbing restlessness. For 1t. strangeness has held peculiar fascination and the un- known has ever furnished an urge to action, the search for adventure. It's inventive genius has famed through the centuries. It's organizing ability has surpassed that of all other races and In spite of internal strifes It has shown remarkable cohesive tenden cies in times of crisis. Through all of these characters there runs the connecting thread of hatred of un- ease. Summing up the whole In bio- logical terms we may say that 1t Is pre-eminently the race of high irri- tability, the one most easily stirred to action by any stimulus. As an off set to its disturbing qualities We may mention it's constructive tendencies its aggressive energy and its capaci- ty for concerted action.
 For many centuries the main body of the yellow race showed qualities similar to those already mentioned for the red. More than the red, per- haps, has 1t shown in it's passivity a willingness to endure for the sake of some end to be attained, i.e.. more js what may be called patience Gen- erally it has shown less initiative and less power of concerted action than the red But there have been notable exceptions. Many times gre,t migrations westward by yellow hordes have shown that the restless qualiL. may be only dormant in the man population. These miErations have also revealed destructive qualities Of more distinct type than those ,f other races. In modern times the Japanese branch of the race has shown that when aroused by suffi- ciently powerful stimuli this race may show charac .erist.cs very simi- lar to these of the whit race. Az gressivs energy. constructive ability and organizing capacity Of a high or dor are being constantly shown. Ap- parently when once aroused there is ample sensitivity. Such things may be distur ping enough to those who wish to see racial strife debarred In the facllc area, put they are not so seriously disturbn., as the fact that the yellow race has over-p populated it's territories and is developing and showing an endurance of adverse con- ditions of life which the white racs is Ill prepared to meet. Such pow CTS of endurance must be reckoned with in considering future possi bili- ties not. only for the Pacific area bui for the world