OPINIONS OF GREAT PAPERS ON IMPORTANT SUBJECTS
War and Pence.
NE of tlie curious features of the present In
ternational situation In regard to armaments Is
the Indisposition to Increase war Implements
and military forces on any other ground than
that of self-defense. No government in Europe
would to-day dare ask for Increase of taxation
for purposes of military conquest. No nation
wants an army; aud yet many nations are armed in a de
gree unknown before in the history of the modern world,
because other nations are armed. It Is a groat mistake to
Imagine that, because the iliianclal budgets of the great
powers show almost annual Increase In expenditures for the
army and navy, therefore warlike fooling Is growing, or
that the lovo of peace has not gained ground or that the
horror of -war does not deepen, year by year. England
feels obliged ta keep a navy afloat equal ih power to the
navy of any two other countries purely as a matter of self
defense. Sho ljieroasos her armament because Russia hiuI
Germany Increase theirs, and she Increases it under pro
test Germany adds continually to her military resources,
ilthough there Is not the slightest doubt that the Emperor
leslrcs peace. In this country the only ground on -which
eop!e would tolerate the Increased expenditure for the
lavy which has been made in roccnt years has been the
(round of self-defense. The commerce of the country Is so
treat, the possibilities of complication so many and the
irnmmonts of the other nations of the first rank so large,
!hat, so long as these conditions continue, the great inn
lorlty of Americans, who hate war and w,ho profoundly
Selieve that the genius of America Is peace, feel also that
the country must have adequate protection, and have It
ready at hand hi case of an unexpected need. The world
Is in arms to-day under protest, oach country keeping up
Its force because every other country keeps up Its force.
Now York Outlook.
World's Fairs Not Profitable.
EXPOSITIONS where great sums are expended
for architectural and other displays aro not
Immediately profitable. If they are ultimately
profitable the gain Is too remote und obscure
to be susccptlblo of trustworthy estimation.
I There Is reason to believe that they arc an In
jury rather than a benellt to the cities whore
they are held. They attract great numbers of workmen
and others while the money is going for construction,
etc., and there Is an appearance of prosperity. This appear
ance is prolonged while visitors are pouring In and spend
ing money, but the cost which is borne In the first Instance,
mostly by local purchasers of stock, is never covered by re
ceipts, or anywhere near covered. A great share of It is
lost beyond recovery. Some are benefited in various ways,
but on the whole the loss exceeds the gain. Tho expo
lition city sustains injury in consequence of a sudden
Doom in real estate, followed by a long season of depression
and dullness. It sustains still moro Injury from the influx
f an undesirable population, which to a great extent re
nalns utra tided and a public burden, taking the form of an
increase In pauperism and crime.
This lias come to be so well understood that it will prob
ibly be more difficult hereafter to Induce people to con
tribute tho money for the preliminary work. It Is not im
probable that in future world's expositions the exhibits will
e much less extensive and more choice. This would great
jy reduce the cost, and the results would bo more satisfac
tory to those who get a comprehensive view of what is
folug on in tiie world. Less bigness, less of the gorgeous
md spectacular, will make world's fairs more profitable
ind of greater educational value. Chicago Chronicle.
Art of Keep'ng a Secret.
ERSONS that can keep a secret are few. A
secret seems to give most people a colic until
they relieve the pressure by breathing the
treasured Information into other ears. Even
when the secret reflects shame on the pos
sessor he is sorely tempted to share It with
pomebody. In that case the Instinct for confession takes
the place of the vainglorious motives which, In other cases,
loosen the tongues of the custodians of a secret. The or
Unary person, having a sret, feels proud of it. lie goes
P
about with tho thought In his mind that he knows ome
thing Unit would amaze people should they be informed of
It Like the barber of King Midas, of Phrygla, who dis
covered that ills master had asses' ears, he must tell the
news or burst; but he seldom displays the shrewdness of
the barber, who whispered the awful Information into a
hole in the ground and then covered up the hole.
Stevenson said that a Scot -would keep a secret just for
the exercise of keeping It, but even Scotia lias its babblers.
Human nature is Instinctively communicative. There is
scarcely a human belug, man or woman, that has not one
confidant. The rarely gifted persons that absorb secrets as
black felt absorbs light giving out nothing and Into whoso
unyielding breasts secrets may be deposited in the firm
faith that they will go no further, are not to be found on
every corner. They are almost as scarce as centaurs.
There Is only one secure method of keeping a secret, and
that is to keep it. A secret may be defined as information
known only to one person. Telling a secret to one friend,
though lie be pledged with owful oaths to lot it go no fur
ther, is like taking tho first drink of whisky; it is the initial
step toward danger. So long as tho toper refrains from
the first drink he will not got drunk, and so long as tho
treasurer of a secret keeps It locked up closely In his own
mind, communicating it to no one at nil, the secret Is safe.
San Francisco Bulletin.
Luuuuuaii
Is Crime Increasing?
HENEVER a crime of unusunl turpitude is
committed, and particularly whenever a num
ber of such forbidding events occur in quick
succession, wo hear much about the "epidemic
jf crime," accompanied by lugubrious comment
.o the effect that wickedness is increasing,
tliai u is outrunning the growth of population, that the
country is rapidly degenerating. It has become the set
tled conviction of minds chronically Indisposed to look upon
the sunny side of tilings that the criminal population is in
creasing at a more alarming rate than at any time In tho
country's history, yet no proof is at hand to support tills
pessimistic view.
Penologists are awaiting trustworthy and sufficiently
comprehensive statistics on tills interesting subject. Samuel
J. Marrows, Commissioner for the United States on the
International Prison Commission, declared in a paper pub
lished In 1003 that for want of any comparative statistics
in tho United States it Is extremely difficult to say whether
criminals aro increasing with reference to tho population,
Inasmuch as so much depends upon the activity of the po
lice. Mr. Harrows observes that as social relations multiply
the standard of propriety and good conduct and of social
protection is constantly raised, and when new laws are
rigidly enforced "wo may expect an Increase for the time
being In the number of offenders until society has adjusted
itself to the new requirements."
It may bo noted that tho system of news gathering haa
been brought to a high pitch of efficiency in our day. Every
crime of importance occurring almost anywhero in the
country is immediately reported. Wo hear very much more
about crime than our forbears did. The diligence of the
reporters and tho news agencies creates the Impression tlwit
the world Is growing worse. Tho law-abiding millions at
tract llttlo attention. Philadelphia Ledger.
Travesties on Religion.
HE religion which does not nntionl n tlm mimi
T -rj - - --.-I" ...,
I and the soul, and which does not attract be
I cause of innate worth, Is of llttlo account.
xuu muuui n K"- iiiu lll'lllT U TVI 11 DC 10T all
save the sensational clergyman, who is com
pelled to gather congregations by methods bor
dering on the methods of the circus ring. The
American Is fond of the spectacular at times, and in mod
erate quantities. But he neither believes in megaphonlc
spcctacularlsm nor In mixing religion and tight rope trape
performances. He may not be a deeply religious man, bul
he has a wholosome sense of the proprieties. It is nerei
a matter of trouble for him to defect the difference be
tween the mountebank in the pulpit and the clergymau
who preaches because he believes and relies on his belief
for the holding of his flock together. Conelnnati Commercial-Tribune.
THE FINEST ROAD IN KOREA.
Although Korea is noted for its poor roads, most of them being llttlo more
than bridle paths, there is one marked exception. This is the highway shown
(n the accompanying picture, which is said to be the finest causeway In tho
Far East It leads from the imperial palace in Seoul to tho tomb of tho
murdered Empress of Korea, some fifteen miles distant. The road is fifty
feet wide. It Is traversed twice a year by the Emperor, attended by 4,000
r H.OOO Koran soldiers. The Empress to whose grave these semi-annual pil
grimages are made was very bitterly opposed to the Japanese. It Is alleged
Jiat she was killed by Jap soldiers at tho Instigation of the minister from
Tokyo.
Appmito ol tho Eskimos.
The Eskimos have enormous appe
tites. An arctic explorer relates that
he saw a boy oat ten pounds of solid
beef food and drink a gallon and a
half of liquid with much gusto. Tills
same explorer observed an :ulult cat
. ten pound!; of meat and two candles
at a meal. Sir P. Phillips tolls how
a lad of 17 years ate twenty-four
pounds of beef In tnvonty-four hours.
Groelis Iiioiraso Fast.
The poulation of Greece is increas
ing faster than Unit of any other coun
try In Europe at present.
Vaicarios of a IiAiignagc.
The vagaries of English spelling are
weJl illustrated in the following ex
tract. The words sound properly but
the spelling does not correspond to
the meaning required. It would make
a good exercise in spelling to rewrite
the extract In Its proper form:
Know won kneed weight two bee
tolled thee weigh too dew sew.
A rite unite llttlo buoy, tho sun of
a grate kernel, with a rough around
his neck, flue up the rode as quick
as a dear. After a thyme he stopped at
a blew houso and wrung the belle.
His two hurt hymn and he kneaded
wrest. He was two tired to ra.e ills
fare, pall face. A feint mown rows
from his lips.
The made who herd the belle was
about two pair a pare, butt she
through it down and ran with awl
her mite, for fear her guessed wood
knot weight. Butt when she saw the
llttlo won, tiers stood in her ayes at
the site.
"Ewe, poor deer! Why dew ye lye
hear? Are yew dyeing?"
"Know," ho said, "I am feint."
Sho boar hymn In her arms and
hurried to a rheum ivliero he mite bee
quiet, gave him brid and meet, held
a cent bottle under his knows, untido
ills neck scarf, rapjod him up warm
and gave him a tfjlto drachm. St
Nicholas.
When a woman w
covers everything
milk pitcher out in
cat out at night, a
an apology beeausd
more.
Ites a letter she
rom putting the
ho morning to tho
d then ends with
she doesn't writo
Tho citizens of Geneva, Switzerland,
have presented Stanley J. Weyman
with an illuminated and inscribed ad
dress and a bust of Calvin in token of
their appreciation of Ids novel of
Geneva '"The Long Night."
Clara Louise Burnham in Jewel has
drawn one of those delightfully nat
ural pictures of child llfo which have
a charm for nil classes of readers.
The heroine is a lovable child and is
blessed with a sense of humor.
A novel by Stanley Weyman is al
ways an event of interest to those
who love a good historical novel. Ills
new story Is to be published by Long
mnns, Green & Co. It 1b u historical
romanco of Franco when Henri Quatre
reigned.
Tho Grafton Press, New York, well
known for Intelligent attention to
genealogies, biographies and local his
tories, lias added u genealoglcaal de
partment conducted by an expert and
experienced genealogist. This is a
timely recognition of an Interest that
Is growing noticeably in this country.
Charles Ilemstreet, the authority on
Old New York, has decided to become
the manager of a press clipping bureau
in Now York. Speaking recently of
his decision, he said: "1 give up lltora
turo after a fair and impartial trial
of eighteen years, fully convinced that
the prospect of the old age of an
author Is not alluring."
Lovett Yeats, who inudo readers
grateful for his llrst book, "Tho Hon
or Savelu," has a new story, which Is
also a historical romance, coming out
under the title of "Orraln." The
scene Is laid in the days of Henry II.
of France and its historical interest
centers In tlie struggle between Cath
erine do Mcdlcls and Dinna do Por
tlers. W. E. Morris hnB furnished a new
story entitled "Nigel's Vocation." It
Is a story of a young man who, having
joined the church of Home and hav
ing been admitted to a monastery as
a novice, finds himself recalled to the
world by the inheritance of a largo es
tate. The Bchenies of 1111U13 persons to
supplant him and complications which
arlso from ids lovo affairs form the
story.
"Christian Science" Is tlie title of a
book which Mrs. Mary Piatt Parmelo
is about to publish, perhaps has pub
lished by this time. In It she is said
to inquire if it is either Christian or
science, and to "discuss dlspassouato
ly" its claims, benefits, limitations and
errors. This seems queer, since wo
have been told that Christian Science
alms to put mankind in a receptive at
titude, so as not to obstruct or evade
the acts or will of God toward his
creatures. And If this be true how
can there bo either limitation or error
In the Influence It seeks to aid?
Mrs. Emily Post's new book, The
Flight of a Moth, will be published by
Dodd, Mead & Co. The heroine Is a
young and beautiful American widow,
who, after her husband'H death, does
exactly what alio pleascH. From her
childhood on, until the last day of
mourning for her husband, sho has
been held back from having a good
time. When the book opens sue goes
to Europe with only her maid, and
decides to make up for lost time. Her
sister warns her that she is like a
moth and will burn liev wings, but she
declares that she would "rather bo a
burnt moth than a crawling worm."
Mrs. Florence Morse Klngsley, the
author of The Singular Miss Smith,
is widely known through her various
hlstorlco-rellglouH novels: Titus: A
Comrade of the Cross; Stephen: A
Sollder of the Cross; Paul: A Herald
of the Crossi; The Cross Triumphant,
The Transfiguration of Miss Phllura,
and Prlsoncra of the Sea. She was ed
ucated at Wellesley College, and mar
ried tho Rev. Mr. Klngsley in 1882.
Since 1002 bIic haa been on the staff of
the Ladles Home Journal. She does
her literary work, she says, "from 0
to 12, while the children are at
school." Her new story is described
as a decidedly clever skit on various
phases of social life and women clubs;
but It is also an attractive und unusual
love story.
Not Su tinned Willi riio lMnoo.
Mm. Backlotz So your servant girl
has left you again?
Mrs. Subbubs Yes.
Mrs. Backlo'tz -What was tho mat
tor? Mrs. Subbubs -She didn't like tho
way I did tho work. Philadelphia
Press.
Still ut It.
"Childhood's hours are tlie happiest
times of one's life," sighed tho disap
pointed man.
"Oh, I don't know," chirped hla com
panion, "I don't see but that I can
watch a ball game Just about as well
ns 1 could forty years ago." Detroit
Free Press.
"It's an outrage," a man said to
day. Still, It'a not the only one.
AMERICAN FLAG IN BATTLE
Record of tho Union HUttdar trot
llrandjrwhie o Santiago.
Although the resolution by wblrt
the flag became n national stBda it
was not officially promulgated by tl.
secretary of Congress until Bept (
1777, it Bccms well authenticated Ilia
the regulation stars und stripes
carried at tlie battle of Brandywln.'
fought Sept. 11, 1777. This b1iow th .
tho contract entered into by Bctay Ito-f
must have been curried out with grc.i
expedition, and that tho flags lu c
been distributed among tho lino rcgi
incuts of the revolutionary army car .
In September. The flag first di .
played In battle at Brandywino Ore
had thirteen stripes, alternate red at I
white, and as a union thirteen wlili
stars were displayed on a blue field.
The flag which was carried by tl
men In blue and buff during tho ba'
ties of the revolution remnlncd in
changed until the first day of May.
171)5, when, by a previous act of Con
gross, two additional Btripca were ndd
ed to tlie body of the Htnndurd ai !
two stars to the union. Thcso add
Hons were made to represent tl
States of Vermont and Kentucky
which had Just been admitted to the
federal union. As 110 further changi
was made in the national ling unt
181S, It follows Uiat tho regimental em
ors carried during Hie Avar of ISli
were of this desJgn. Thus tho Amen
can flags surrendered by General Hut
nt Detroit, and those captured by th
British at Bladcnsburg and Wnshln
ton must all have displayed fiftcer
alternate red and white stripes, n
well as the fifteen stars of tho union
In 1818, by an act of Congress, th-?
stripes of tho national Hag wore ngal
reduced to thirteen, and it was d
dared that tho addition of a Btar ir
the union Bhould thenceforward rej'
resent each now State. A newspnpv
of tho time, still kept In the goven,
ment archives, said. "By this reguln
Hon tlie thirteen stripes will represent
the number of States whose vnlornna
resources originally effected tho Amor
lean independence, and udditionnl
stars will mark tho increase of i
SUites since tlie present constitution
From this time on the Increnso
stars In the constellation which forme,
the union was steady, and during tl
war with Mexico, in 18 10, twenty-nin
white stars were displayed In the bin
field.
Tlie flags borne by the regiments o'
the northern army during tho fou
years of the great civil war had thlrt
live stars In the union. TIiIb was tli
full number of States then forming th
national federation, ns tho Unites
States government had refused to re
ognlzo tlie constitutional right of r
State to secede from tho union. Th
retention of tho stars representing tit
Southern States wna regarded an u
serious breach of military etiquette by
the more punctilious of tho Confcder
ate Ieaderfl, and the capture of one or
the Federal standards was alwny
well rewarded by tlie authorities ur
Richmond.
The regimental flags carried by th"
regular ami volunteer regiments dar
Ing the Spanish war of 1808 displayed
forty-live stars In the blue fleki of tip
union, ton new States having been
added to the federation since tho great
civil struggle which so nearly severed
the republic. This was ulso the fim
foreign war In which tho State troop
of the reunited country appeared in
the field together, and it was tlie ftrpt
occasion on which former Confederate
officers of high rank resumed the uni
form of the United States senrict.
The greut gnrrlson flag which
hoisted over Santiago after tho sur
render of tlie city by tho Spanish com
mandnnt measured twenty feet In
width by thirty-six feet in length, the
forty-five white Btars which forme I
the union Allowing distinctly agahwt
the bright blue of tho field. Philadel
phia Record.
Never Saw Hallway Train.
A pleasant story, originally told of
a Scofech Highlander, Is served up lu
somewhat novel guise in a New York
paper. This time it is ascribed to ti
Kentucky mountaineer, and the dialect
Is adapted accordingly. But tho main
Incidents romaln tlie same. Tho young
man had 7iever seen a railway train
One day he consented to go to town
and see tlie wonder. lie arrived t
little ahead of truin time, and, get
ting impatient as he waited, ho walk
ed up tho track to meet it. Turning
about, the mountaineer ran along th
track as for his life.
"Toot, toot," sounded the locomo
the, slowing up; but tho mountalncei
only ran faster than ever. He soot
reached the station, completely out 01
breath.
"Why didn't you cut across?" in
quired one of tho bystanders.
"Cut ncrossl" exclaimed tho un
couth youth. "If I had Btruck the
ploughed ground tho tiling certainly
would have caught mo."
Bad Ciiho of Throat Trouble.
Wrubber You look badly this morn
ing, old man. What's the matter?
Klubber Throat trouble.
Wrubber Tonsllltls?
Klubber No; my wife talked to me
for three hoUrs after I got homo tub
morning. Philadelphia Record.