Half the World at War

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 10, 1914

Half the World at War

A RECENT number of the United Presbyterian gives the following statistics with reference to the population of the world's territory embraced in the operations of the terrible conflict which is now going forward:—

An impressive statement comes from London as to the area and number of people involved in the great war. In round numbers, out of a total land surface of 51,500,000 square miles (excluding the uninhabitable regions) 30,000,000 square miles is occupied by the eleven belligerent powers, and about 1,000,000,000 of the 1,800,000,000 human beings on this planet are directly involved in the great war.

Apportioning the area and population between the two opposing groups, there is a vast preponderance of both on the side of the allies, which own 27,500,000 square miles, and have about 840,000,000 people under their rule, against the 2,000,000 square miles and 160,000,000 people to the credit of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Turkey.

In Asia the belligerent area amounts to 9,300,000 square miles, the total area of the continent being about 16,500,000 square miles. Hence over 56 per cent is at war. Of the population of Asia 475,000,000 out of 980,000,000 — say 48½ per cent — must be classed as belligerent.

Africa is, proportionately, even more affected than Europe. About 10,500,000 square miles out of 11,700,000 — nearly 90 per cent — and 125,000,000 of the 137,000,000 inhabitants — over 90 per cent — are at war. The only neutral regions are the Italian and Spanish colonies, and the native states of Abyssinia and Liberia.

If there is inclusion of Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and the islands of the Pacific not adjacent to the American or the Asiatic continents, over 95 per cent of the area and more than 94 per cent of the population belong to the combatant powers. Dutch New Guinea, the American islands of the Samoan group, Guam, and the Sandwich Islands are the only neutral territories.

Both continents of the New World are much less affected than any of the Old World divisions, though Canada accounts for a large proportion of the area of North America. Including Central America and the West Indies in the northern continent, it will be found that about 3,915,000 square miles out of 8,757,000 — say 45½ per cent — and 10,500,000 of the 136,500,000 people — not quite 8 per cent — must be classed as belligerent.

South America occupies the happiest position of all. Out of an area of over 7,500,000 square miles and a population of about 52,500,000, only 128,500 square miles of territory and 350,000 human beings are subject to any of the combatants.