Physical culture . gioussentiment seems to be firmly entrenched,the infant population is the most nu-merous in the country. It is explainedthat Christianity has always severelycondemned an attempt to tamper withthe sources of human life, regarding suchas a cardinal sin. In this respect, phys-ical culture is in hearty accord with theChurch — using the latter term in thebroader sense. Apart from the mentaland moral harm which comes from aninterference with the most sacred officeof the human body, the evil wrought tothe physical being of the silly and erringmother is of an incalculable kind, noma
Physical culture . gioussentiment seems to be firmly entrenched,the infant population is the most nu-merous in the country. It is explainedthat Christianity has always severelycondemned an attempt to tamper withthe sources of human life, regarding suchas a cardinal sin. In this respect, phys-ical culture is in hearty accord with theChurch — using the latter term in thebroader sense. Apart from the mentaland moral harm which comes from aninterference with the most sacred officeof the human body, the evil wrought tothe physical being of the silly and erringmother is of an incalculable kind, nomatter what form such interference maytake. Stress has been laid on the con-sequences of such meddling time andagain in the pages of this magazine. The feature of the induced sterility ofthe French women, which is giving themost concern is, the inability of anyoneto suggest a practical remedy for it. Asone of the high officials of the Govern-ment-puts it: There is no reason fordoubting that the decline of the birth. From Stereograph copyright by Underwood & Underwood, N. Y. A Sunday scene at Gruemene-sur-Scorf, Brittany, one of the few provinces in France in whichthe religious instinct survives, and the birth rate is normal. 550 THE FRENCH NATION DYING OUT 551 rate will continue, and that consequentlyFrance is marching to her ruin with ac-celerating steps. A dwindling popula-tion means a decrease of defensive powerand an ultimate incapability to resistinvasion. This last named fact, from the view-point of the patriotic Frenchman, is oneof most lamentable phases of the situa-tion. France and Germany have, since1870, been friends — in a diplomaticsense. But actually, they have beenthe reverse. Deep down in their hearts,the French have for over a generation,cherished hopes of a War of Revenge,which should restore to them Alsace andLorraine, and wipe out the stain of theirformer defeats. Germany was fullycognizant of this feeling and has been onthe defensive in the interval. Inde
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