THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESE, SATURDAY,
THE DOCTOR IN THE DESERT. THE MENACE OF DEPOPULA- THE BRITISH HOSPITAL SYSTEM
IN MESOPOTAMIA.
TION,
IS A HIGH BIRTH RATE A
REMEDY
AMERICAN FORCES. NUCLEUS OF ARMIES,
BYTHE DAILY TELEGRAPH'6” MILITARY
CORESPONDENT.
MARCH BIST 1917
THE POSITION OF AMBASSADORS,
LAW AND HISTORY OF THEIR IMMUNITY
An Ambassador must be regarded na re
It is commonly assumed that a great The military power of a modern State increase of births in a nation is a sign of depends more on the capacity it possesses presentative of the head of the State for expanding its forces than on the from which he comen, and, with certain a stable or augmenting population, and troops it maintains in times of peace exceptions, possesses that exemption from a proof of national vigour and pro- The ideal would appear to be no stand arrest or detention which his Sovereign sperity.
This belief requires very careful:rmy, but corps of stuff officers, would possess if he entered by consent the leaders, instructors, and organisers. The territory of another Sovereign. An examination at the present time, when
Stato must, moreover, possess a large Ambassador is therefore exempt from all staunch population and industrial local jurisdiction, whether civil for sources capable of providing and incrinunal. Except in one, or possibly two, taining the munitions und über require cases his person is inviolable. The excen When the European War broke out, against or aids a compiracy against the monts of a modern army in the fedtion is where the Ambassador conspires Germany had twenty-five army corps of State to which he is accredited, less than 30.000 men euch. Ruskin han | The late Mr. Hall cli
de us that in 1718 wiler armis, not fewer than twenty-seven the Prime of Cellamare, the Spanish Ambassador in Paris, having organised
The Iraq, that wonderful alluvial plain in Southern Mesopotamin, once again the scene of warlike operations, is a land fan ous in history and romatra, there was situated, it is claimed, the Garden of Eden; there Babylonian, Tortor, Turk and Arab fought and made peace, intrigued and counter-plotted, and now, after weary years of oppression and misery under Otany measures are being discussed for toman rule, the inhabitants see the dawn repairing the losses through war. We are of a day of freedom and justice, won for gravely counselled to encounge marriage by every possible means, and to foster them by British bayonets.
Fertile as was the country when the the production of large familie. Poly ancients marvellous syster of irrigation gamy has even been suggested as was still in good preservation, Turkish practical remedy, and the taxation of
dg allowed it to become almost celibates hua been proposed. The fall Beglect hds
complete waste. There but little of the birth rate for the period between agricultural activity, the inhabitants out 1970, and 1009 has aroused profound ap- side the towns being chiefly nomads. prehension among a large number of our Timber is so scarce as to be almost unob countrymen, and the fear has deepened tainable. Every scrap of wood, stone, and spread during the great European
convenient hospitals were erected,
conflict.
St
fact has been often cited as a proof of
my corps in Europe of 10,000 mer each. Within a month of the event, however, the German forces had been more than doubled, and the ratio of superiority has continued to increase in Germany's favour until, at any rate,
short time ago,
Messured by the armed forces permall catly maintained, the United States troops would count for nothing. They consist of enough infantry to compose half a dozen European divisions, with some first-rado cavalry strung out in small detachments on the Mexican border or policing Indian bettlements Some
conspiracy against the Government of the Duke of Orleans, was arrested and retained in custody until hows came of the safe arrival in France of the Frenc Ambassador at Madrid. The fact of th arrest occasioned no protests from the other Ambassadors in Paris. In 1917, the Court of Gyllenborg, the Swedish Am bassador in London, was arrested, and detained for complicity in a plot against the Hanoverian dynasty The other Am assadors in London at once protested against the arrest and detention, but they
and other materials for building required for the British Expeditionary Force has
Among 1,000 married women in 1870-72, had to be imported and existing buildings in England and Wales, there were 292.6
frequently unsuitable have had to be births. In 1909, the proportion of births attempt has recently been mads to con withdrew their protest on learning the requisitioned and made use of while more had dropped to 200.4 per thousand. This entrate these troops in camps of in round of the arrest Sweden retaliated struction by rotation, but the higher by the detention of the English Am- training of the army in masses can hard.sador at Stockholm. This is the only case of the exercise of the alleged ground forces stand the enrolled State Militi which consists numinally of about ene bassador, and it is generally denounced million infantry, but which has no fixed as contrary to international law. military existence or training 1 in just a reservoir of men, which has been used in the past almost entirely for local and stationary defence, eve
But where there's will there's a
way, and the most unpromising materialkapid decline in popslation and racially be said to exist Behind these regular detention of the person of an Ami
were turned to surprisingly good account, And there were one or two pleasant exceptions to the rule the Sheikh
decay.
IS THE DREAD WARRANTABLE!
If the United Kingdom was the country of Mohaminerah's Palace. at Basrah, with the lowest European birth-rate and for instance, is a large and airy the highest death-rate, we might have real building of the typical Eastern style of architecture which led a wondel, hut still humorous, Tommy to remark, as he was carried in: “Blimoy its Kismet at ome. Whore's the blooming harem ? His amusement on finding that his ward was actually situated in what had been the haram was tempered with disappointment on discovering that the original occupants had previously been transported to fresh fields and pastures new.
"Never mind, Sister," he said to the nurse, I should he liked to see em, but I s'pose it wouldn't have been proper Me un' Bill lave two of Sherbet, cold, please, to make up y
Busrah did not even possess road, worthy of the name; certain footpaths there were, but these were often impassable owing to deep creeks, and bridges were rare enough to remind one of Cap'n Cuttle's famous advice: "When found, make a note of
cause for anxiety. The rate of births in Germany is lessening almost as quickly our own, but the juvenile death rate very much higher in Germany than in our nation. Infant mortality among the Germans considerably exceeds that of the United Kingdom. A high rate of in- fantile deaths is a symptom of racia, deterioration: Not only is there great mortality among new-born infants in Germany, but the death rate of the young up to the age of five, in German cities, is very much higher than in English towns. The mortality of children in Germany, according to German medical statistics, was 50 per cent greater than in England, France, and Belgium in 1008, It is recognized by German investigatora that the average family in the urban populatione of their country is smaller than in English towns. In Berlin child mortality increased enormously knee 1902, and among the children of mother employed in the factories, the rate of deaths is 38 per cent, The total birth rate of Berlin is below that of London,
Reprisals, as such, against the person of an Ambassador are certainly legal, for, though he represents the persons of the Sovereign, he is not clothed with re sponsibility for all the acts of that Sovereign. The person of an Ambassador is absolutely inviolable unless by his personal interference he is a danger to the State to which he is accredited. If this were not the case there could be no ade quate system of international relations. Momoter, as a modern jurist points out with respect to all Ambassadors,
AMERICAN VOLUNTEERS, The main strength of American armies in the past has consisted of volunteers which have been raised and trained after the outbreak of war. With such volun- tears the States waged the war of seces sion against the British in 1775 and at tempted to invade Canada in 1819 In the great Civil War both the Northern States raised, trained, and equipped liability to interference with their full great armies of volunteers, who learnt and free intercourse with their home, the art of war surprisingly quickly and States through letters, telegrams, and fought out some of the most sanguinary courier would way onllify their battles and most arduous campaigns remison tre. In this caso it would be corded in military history, Indeed, so impossible for them to send independent. successful were the Americans in im provising armies that, both Britain and the United States have trusted to mili- tary improvisation ever since, which has perhaps been carried too far.
A diminishing birth-rate is only appar-officers and non-commissioned officers
When the force arrived, temporary medical arrangements were, of course, made to meet the demands of the moment, and the Medical Staff at once began to select suitable sites no gasy matter-and estimate requirements for a proper Base rently cause of diminishing numbers organisation. As the fighting line moved A very high birth rate is almost invari up country, advanced stations were estabably accompanied hy an excessive death- lished wherever possible, and to day, the rate. entire, medical chain forms a whole of which the authorities may be justly proud. THE CASE OF HOLLAND AND NEW ZEALAND,
A typical example is the little hospital Since 1876, the birth rate in Holland st Shaiba. It was originally & fort, with has fallen from about 37 per 1,000 to the customary thick walls from the top above 20 Yet, owing to the raising of of which the defender hurled pot-leg from the standard of health, the adult death- gas-piping, or—if he were really wealthy rate and the mortality of children in
a conical ballet through a rifled barrel, at the casual caller. Now it is a cool and Holland are decreasing more steadily comfortable refuge for the sick, boasting than in any other country. The stamina sa operating theatre and wonder of of the Dutch is undoubtedly improving wonders in the desort-a supply of ice and and it had been proved that the height soda water for the patients. It is of the people is wonderfully increasing almost worth while being sick or wounded The average stature of soldiers in the to his up in such a pleasant place-hut not army of Holland is much higher than it quite was fifty years ago. The dealing in the
Another refuge was formerly the sum Dutch birth-rate las checked the death mer residence of the Turkish Admiral; it rate, improved national health, and is now more usefully employed s an added height, to the race, s 150lation hospital Spr patients suffering
We have been impressed by the from anfecerous diseases, such as cholera splendid physique and fue health of our ual diphtheria. The surroundings are New Zealand volunteers. Tas birth rate coot and pleasant and many bad case New Zealand has steadily declined, has been successfully treated there. but the death-rato is the lowest of all De No. 3 British General Hospital a countries. There is no diminution of Basrah is the official description of tue population, no, sign whatever of crave Sherkn's Palace already alluded to 19 cost about fifty slipasand pounds to build, decadence, no industrial distress, and no and situated on the bank of the Tigris lack of prosperity in this colony. The This has a double advantage, it is a coul example of New Zealand demonstrates spot, and the patients are easily trans that it is entirely erroneous to assert ported to and from the steamers. It has racial decay through a fall in the birt's great, ide verandahs which are excellent rate alone. The rate of birth must ly aubted for use as othergency Wards always be compared with the state when there is a rush there are thar death in a country. A declining Birth teen well-furnished wards, an operating rate is not a convincing proof of the Laeatre, 战 fully equipped A-ray Loom and physical deterioration of a community inrge laboratory the latter much when the death rate is within normal vainable work has been done in connection bounds. A low birth-rato actually with the study of diseases peculiar to the ferouts an increase of population when country. In connection with the Palace the death rate is also low. A high birth are auxiliary words in large, airy auta rate produces inevitably high infant boarded und fitted with electric light an mortality rate; and a high percentage Eons. The Officers Hospital and the
of infantile deaths menus that even the nurses quarters are near
surviving children are below the standard of health an fitness
INCREASED
Other hospitals are situated at Taunonma, Amarah and Makinn, besides the smaller station, already described.
Besides the physical treatment pro vided, the patients mental comfort a well
VIVAD RATHER THAN AN
INCREASE OF BILTAS
and secret reports to or receives similar instructions from their home States,??
ENGLISH LAW
The law of England is quite clear ou The Volunteer organisations of the the subject to the once of the Parlement American Civil War seem to have been helge in the Court of Appeal (5 P.D., the madel of the British War Office when 197), it was laid down that a conse it undertook the present war against Geruence of the absolute independence of many and in many respects American every sovereign authority and of the in- methods were fruitfully copied Owing feruntional comity which induces every to the large percentages of regimetkel eigu State to respect the independ ence of every other sovereign Stale, each State desine, to exercise by means of any of its territorial jurisdiction over the person of any Sovereign or Ambassador Lord Davey quoted this in the case of Alusurus Beyr Gabdorn [1894] 2 QB. 352), where it was held that the immunit of an Ambassador from process in the Courts of this country extends not morely to the time during which he is accredited to the Sovereign, but to such a reasonable period after he has presented his letters of recall as is necessary to enable him to wind up his official business and prepare for his return to his own country
ring and retired at the disposal of the British War Chee our troops were more rapidly trained and organised than the American Volunteers in 1561 and 1802, but in certain respects we have not succeeded in obtaining as good results as the Americans In most of the States of the Union miitary colleges exiss which train boys to be engineers, lawyers, etc but which are organised on military lines and give the grounding of a sound and scientific military education. West Point, the military university of the United States, is renowned as a seat of military science and turns out many more men that are required to officer the amali regular army. These men form a potentia reserve of officers. Amon them were found the brillian leaders who won distinction on both s deen the great Civil War
PRESENT CONDITIONS.
-
These cases merely affirmed the inter- national ay on the subject, and that law applies as fully to the action of the Exccutive as the action of the Courts of the country to which the Ambassador 19 accredited. Vattel and Martens, ne D- Phillipsun in the new edition of Whenton points out nake it clear Vaat in what In the event of the United States jom-ever fashion, the mission of an Ambas ing the Entente Fowers against Germanyador is terminated, he still remains en- new military situation would mit to a the privileges of his public mediately arise, much more favourable character until his return to his own to the Entente if only our leaders know country, Vattal also makes it clear that how to take advantage of it, and if the he has a right to be provided with a safe rulers of America would consent to the conduct or passport from the Government early employment of their troops in the of the State with which is own country most effective manner. Forthwith the is at war to enable him to pass snicly existing American regiments could be through its territory. It is usual for replaced in their present posts and duties that Government to secure by arrange by Militia, and later by Volunteers. mest for him a tale conduct through They could then be concentrated and ex other territory the Sovereign of which is panded by the admixture of twice their at war with the Sovereign of the Am
amber of Volunteers, who would have to bastador. Without such an arrangement learn their work as they went along the Ambassador may be captured and held Thus constituted, American divisions hostage by the third bei gerent Power, could relieve British and Frenca divins uppened in 1744, when an Ambassador sions for duty in defence of the trenches, nagging from France to Berlin by way of while the troops thus econoznised would Hoyer was capture Hanover then, become disposable as the strategic reas the rily of England being at war with
Times. serve of the combined arn. The fate of France the next campaign depends on the size the Allied armies poeling their reserves of this strategic reserve that is, upon
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Biliousness-Flatulence
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and upon their skilful employment. the new American Army The second This plan will be unpopular condition alluded to is the fact that the America, because it will leave American event of the present war which have professional officers in command of divisions detached for service in the field been closely studied by American officers, instead of immediately provi lite indicate the steps which must be taken to Publicists, who emphasize the urgency military career for a number of gallant organis the most formidable forces pos attended to Buch games as invalids can of a rapid augmentation of the popularentlemen who will volunteer to lenible within the limit of time. Our own indulge in cards, chess draughts and the tim in the near future, should realize the troops. It is opon alin to the obexperiences since 1914 will be parti like are provided, and books and maga that the mers production of quantity la|jection of sending soldiers into the field fularly valuable to America zines for the reader Concerts are or not a panaces for the decimation of war with little or no training, and it risks Great difficu ties naturally confront the ranged, and the programme of the milk A high and rapid reproduction of num- the dangers of the submarite. Moreover, American High Command if they under sary bands are greatly appreciated bers involves risks of still births, pre the difficulties even of equipping 100,000 take the task of intervening Military Those who have relatives or friends serv. mature births, infant mortality, severe men in America in such a hurry will not discipline is a new and unpopular idea, c ing in Mesopotamia may rest assured taxing of the vigour of mothers, and easily be overcome.
the average American youth Immense that nothing is left undone that can con specific diseases of maternity. We most A CALL TO ARMS
quantities of munitions and other war tribute to their health and comfort when aduve children that stand a good If the insolen German ultimatam is material cannot easily be found at short they have been laid low for a time by chance of survival, diminish the rate of treated by the United States as a call notice, and the greatest dificulty of all child mortality, and nurture the young to arms the grea, Republic will be able to wil lie in transporting their forces safely Prevention is better than even a good into sitiens who will be sound in body respond far more rypidly and effectively to the theatre of war. Yet one of these eure, however, and the medical authorities and mind, capable of resisting disease, han in previout crisis in her history for dificulties is insurmountable the fully realise the truth of the old saw and fitted for purentago,
two principal reasons. An accomplished military and political chiefs of the elaborate, precautions are taken egainst the spread of sicknesses due to the cliniste The rumendation of youthful mor and well-trained General Staff has fore Entente Powers agree upon a sound and conditions of life, and already there ringe is qucationable. Offspring born to seen the present crisis ever since the war scheme of action it will probably com has been a marked diminution in the cases adolescents are not especially liable to broke out, and has prepared to meet it mead itself to the American General of heat-stroke, dysentery, etc diseases to premature death and disease, as is so far as politica circumstances per Staff in the event of war. The valour which troops serving in foreign climes are times supposed. But there is a wide committed. These preparations have been intelligence, and determination of the Plavspecially liable. The general currency of opinion among writers on in afferent nezia of the States, so set in the camp of the Entente.
seconded by important voluntary move American troops would be an invaluable half of the Force has steadily improved race culture and among the majority of other has already been done committed to the struggle the United And those who are attacked are to care physiciang, that, twenty is the car lest 23 towards constructing the framework of States will certainly consummate the Monday, 8th Apri fully attended to that the percentage of for healthy maternity. fatalities kng become very small
(Continant at Joat of next Column) rum of Germany
bullet or disease
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