Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, March 20, 1915, Page 4

NORWICH BULLETIN, SATURDAY, MARCH 20 Jorwich Bulletin and Qouficd 119 YEARS OLD Bubacription price 12¢ & week 600 & mexnth; §6.00 u year. Entered at the Postofice at Norwich, Conn.. as ond-class matter. Telepmone Calls Bulletin Business Office 450. Il 1al Rooms 35-%. i EdB‘:Ir\efln Job Office 35-3. Willlmantte Office, Room % Murray Boilaing. Telephone 310. Norwich, Saturday, March 20, 1915. The Bulletin has the largest n of any paper in East- ern Connecticut and from three to four times larger than that of any in Norwich. It is delivered to over 3,000 of ths 4,053 houses in Norwich, and read by ninety- three per cent. of the people. In Windham it is delivered to over 800 houses, in Putnam and Danielson to over 1,100 and in s it is consid- ered the local daily. Eastern Connecticut has forty- nine tewns, one hundred and sixty-five postoffice districts, and sixtv rural free delivery routes. The Bulletin is sold in every town an on all of the R. F. D. routes in Eastern Connectizut. CIRCULATION 1901, average ............ 4412 1905, average .......-...5 920 GREATER, NOT SMALLER NOR- WICH. The city meeting which has been called for next Monday evening rel- attve to the proposition which has been placed before the general assembly seeking the division of the town of Norwich, whereby the fourth and fifth voting districts would be set off as @ town by itself, calls for more than passing attention by the people of Nor- wich. It is a matter on which the eitizans of a town having any pride whatever in continuing as a growing community should look with vital concern, It is an effort to further cut down ghe limits of Norwich, even though enly a slice of the town is concerned, which action would bring no beneficial results, It makes little difference in what directton one looks, the move- ment is for expansion. Small is the ity or town Wwhich is not anxious for ‘enlargment. Public sentiment calls for Greater New York, Greater Bos- ton, Greater Hartford and Greater New London, but rare 1s the instance where any city or town is seeking either smaller limits or smaller population. Movements for larger communities carry with them their benefits and those which would do otherwise are steps in the wrong direction, The Bulletin is, and it is believed the city and a large majority of the town are opposed to such a reduction in territory and population. Norwich has bhad amputations enough. What it wants and needs is a steady, healthy growth. . The opportunity is presented for the expression of the sentiment of the city against this proposed change which, it it is based upon the fear of any consolidation movement, needs the discouragement which such a vote as indicates the absence of any sen- timent in behalf of such a cause would give. There is no disposition to place any hardships on any section of the town either now or in the future. Nor- wich in its grand old age still has growing pains. It is not ready just yet to shrivel up and decay, and the people of Norwich in city meeting and the subsequent hearing should make it ‘manifest, GREAT BRITAIN'S BLOCKADE. Great Britain is determined to stand pat on its decision and plan to starve Germany. It is at war and as the greatest naval power it has the means of carrying out its determination and 1t s able to look at the course as ofie to which it has been driven. Its pur- pose is to establish what amounts to the same thing as a blockade and which will accomplish all the objects of such a measure, without putting its naty in a position to invite destruc- tion from submarine operations, the element which has necessitated many new tactics in the conduct of naval warfare. Great Britain knows that 1t has found a weak spot in Germany's de- fense and it knows the importance of such an advantage properly improved. For the preservation of the rights of mneutrals it is as necessary that there should be protests from such nations relative to its shipping, but from the positions which have been taken by the two sides in the announcements concerning respect for the ships of neutral countries, there is shown the greater consideration by the allies. They give warning that all the fea- tures of a blockade will be carried out except that they will be accomplished in & different manner than those set forth under the rules of war. Seizure doesn’t mean destruction, either by intent or accident, but it means going before a prize court for adjudication. It.is going to handle neutrals care- fully and the protests by those coun- tries strengthen whatever claims they may be called upon to make before any prize tribunal. The blockades aimed at by doth sides are to be looked upon @s fllegal, but of the two greater con- sideration is shown by Great Britain. ARRANGING THE CROPS. From the condition of the grain mar- ket and the outlook over in Europe, even though they do succeed in time in forcing a way through the Darda- melles for the release of some of the larger areas be turned to the produc- tion of wheat, oats and corn is fur- nished, This has been acted upon quite gen- erally with the result that the sections of the country which enter extensive- Iy into such production have already taken, or are planning to take steps to increase their output. With the ef- fect of the cotton situation so clearly set forth, and further affected by the blockade movement which so directly concerns a large export trade, the ad- visabllity of curtailing that which is a drug on the market and producing that which is going to experience larger demands is clear. Cotton will be grown, but the south will unques- tionably see the wisdom of putting onto the market grain and cattle feed which can be disposed of and for which thers will be a ready sale, in- stead of filling storehouses with a pro- duct which is already a glut on the market. Such would mean a new departure in that section of the country partic- ularly, but it would mean respect for conditions and there are reasons to believe that would prove profitable in more ways than just making the best of an emergency situation. Nature contributed to big crops last year and it should get all possible human assistance this year. SYSTEM FOR STATE FINANCES. Tt makes little difference whether it is state or national government which is being considered, there is need for proper control of the finances and such is provided by the system which makes it possible to regulate the ex- penditures by the income, Though what he says relative to business principles in legislative bodies refers particularly to national affairs, vet Congressman Gillett hits the nail on the head equally well for state leg- islatures when, in reference to the financial record of congress, he says: “The appropriations of this session have shamefully disregarded the prin- ciples of sound business and true economy. With revenues falling and precarious, with business and com- mercial conditions feverish and uncer- tain, with a steady monthly deficit and no assured prospect of its relief, and with a cash fund reduced to a point that has generally been deemed un- safe, the administration has recom- mended and the congress has author- ized expenditures on a larger scale than ever before, and no step has been taken to meet the prospective deficit. That is not{the way the finances of a government should be administered. There ought to be some proportion be- tween income and outgo, and their re. lations ought not to be ignored, and their accommodation left to chance. That seems to have been the only fiscal policy of this session. The favorable committee report for the creation of a finance board by . the general assembly to place Connecticut finances under.a budget system is in accord with the needs of the state. It takes into recognition its present shortcomings and a valuable start towards improved conditions will have been made when the suggested change is adopted and put into operation. MINE VICTORY. The loss of three battleships by the allieq fleet shows at what a disad- vantage any attacking force works which attempts the tremendous task of reducing the fort-lined and nar- now Dardanelles. Had the Turks been able to sink those vessels by gun fire instead of by mines far greater would have been the credit to be derived therefrom, yet whatever has been the success of the allies thus far in their undertaking at that point it is made evident that the Turks have not been frightened into quitting. They are making the most of every method of defense, The loss of three battleships of the type of those destroyed will be slight in comparison with the opening of that waterway. It is only what was in the list of possibilities and it will be fortunate indeed if more do not g0 likewise before that action ends. The Dardanelles is proving no harder nut to crack than was expected, but the taking of three ships at a -clip shows that the mines are a danger which cannot be overlooked. EDITORIAL NOTES. Even the boy with the kit cannot understand what the matter is with March. Great Britaln announces just what is being pointed out to it, that it s a new kind of blockade, Italy apparently realizes that it has gotten to the point where it must either fish or cut bait. The man on the corner says: No aviator need have any fear of grow- ing grey in the service, There can be no question but what Admiral Schley furnishes an admir- able name for a submarine, It springs into notice every now and then that the trawler is playing an important part in this war. It becomes evident almost every day that the automobile must be handled with more care and skill than a toy wagon, It is reported that there are 180,000 Turks on the straits, but there are probably a great many more on Un- easy street. Tnstead of leaving the maintenance of schools to the towns the proposition is advanced In Massachusetts for a state tax solely for that purpose. The promise of the Germans to burn three Russian villages for each Ger- man settlement that has been destroy- ed shows that there is no limit when retaliation starts. — The revolution in Mexico has not subsided and it would be occupying more prominent place in the day’s news but for the fact that Furope's war is eclipsing it. When Zia Mufty Sade Bey says 1t will take eighteen months for the al- lies to get to Constantinople he takes into consideration that they will have to crawl over his name, The girl who tells the New York legislative committee that she can live on six dollars a week by skimping on food or apparel is the kind of a girl who will quickly prove her claim to a larger salary, e While admipistration officials are seeking a way to lower the deficit, they might well be giving some at- stores which Russia has been unable to move, further evidence of the value of the suggestion which was made sama time ago to the farmara that tention to the repeal of the free sugar provision which when it goes into ef- fect in 1916 means the loss of $50,- 000,000 mava annually- THE MAN WHO TALKS It is well to bear in mind that who- ever approaches you with a well-laid scheme for obtaining riches quick is a suspicious character. It may seem cruel to assume such a relation to such a devoted and self-sacrificing friend, but it has the merit of being a safe at- titude. The man who wishes to tell you how to succeed in life when he has never been successful at anything but lying is never safe to tie up to, never mind how promising things look on paper, or how musical the words he is pouring into your ear to awaken your faith and give vigor to your selfishness. If he had a bank account and everything was as he represents it he would deny you the privilege of one share if he could borrow money enough to take it all; and as he has no money and is only working to get a per cent. of what he can worm out of you, you do him no injury in recog- nizing his motives and doubting his words. In such a case suspicion usu- ally is very much more profitable than faith in his story. The reason a marrled man expects his wife to believe everything he says is because he cannot hear himself talk as she hears him; and he thinks she ought to believe in his sincerity what- ever he may have done in the past to jar her confidence, The trouble is prin- tipally with himself, and if he would talk less and do betier it is more than likely the relation between them would be greatly improved. It is an abso- lute sign of weakness for any human being to have been fooled twice by the same party, and this is just as appli- cable to the wife as to the man who has been buncoed. There was a cele- brated literary man who when his wife separateq from him would never say anything about causes except that he was nine “times as much to blame she was.” That ought to have made their relations right again, but it didn’t for the woman in the case couldn’t submit to a chance of being fooled a second time. It is up to married men to be reasonable and true. You may have heard the expression “When it comes to looks, what do they amount to?” An observing person knows they amount to a good deal, viewed from the winning side of life. Of course, no one can tell the quality of a cigar by the wrapper, or the char- acter of a man by his Sunday suit of clothes, or the charm of a woman by the style of her cloak. Looks has a well established reputation for being deceptjve, as the hishwayman discov= ered who killed a printer's appren! to get a diamond of plain glass under- laid with tinfoil. I recall a fool who looked like a philosopher and he would always have been taken for one could he have kept his mouth shut. A man cannot be a success who looks like a misfit in the pulpit, in any business or on the water wagon. Looks from any point of view tell, and what they teil counts either for or against us, so it is well to have a care about our ap- pearance. Do you know what a man thinks of money discloses what he is. The world recognizes -that money is power, al- though thought is more powerful and love more powerful still. It is really the thought back of it which gives money its force for good or evil. What a_person thinks of money discloses what he is. For instance, and this is undeniable, the person who thinks money will do anything is open to do anything with money. Money is Janus-faced because it reflects the faces of its devotees most of wh'ch are as various as the gargoyles w= Dbehold in architectural freizes; and as fierce as the worst of them. Money looks its best when the thought of the Christlike sends it to clothe the nakeq and succor the famishins. Money is our personal representative in the affairs of men and it telis where we are mentally and what we are at heart. How we mortals kick about the taxes! The community, the state and the county require a tax for our pro- tection and its support once a year: and Folly taxes us every day of our lives. That which taxes us most we say least about, and do least to prc- vent. The taxes of folly oppress us in the shape of sorrow or want, and we do ot half of us seem to be con- scious that they are generally sclf- imposed and preventable. What is folly? It is best represented when we turn a deaf ear to reason. The tax of mobs, riots and most human con- flicts are due directly to folly. And Folly is a harq task-master. We can- not dodge the taxes of foliy for they are taken out of us to the last ounve of flesh and the last drop of blood. If we were wise most of these taxes would never fall due, Tomorrow is a perpetual dream— the thing upon_which we base most of our hopes. What do we not plan to do tomorrow, even on the tomcr- row of death, when the only hold we have is upon Now. The rogue finds a refuge in tomorrow for that is when he proposes to pay his debts and to live a different life. So many proraises have been made for the morrow and never kept that Tomorrow is not far from being the liars refuge. “To- morrow,” says Shakespeare, “it is a period nowhere to be found in all the hoary registers of time.” Tomor- row is the shadow land of a weak hope and _the tocsin of Delay. It is not a good use of the mind to think what you ‘will do tomorrow—tomorrow is never a scene of action, that belongs to today, and formed the record of yesterday. Tomorrow applies wholly to things deferred. When an old man falls in love he not only breaks himself up, but he jars the whole: community. It is a serfous fall and too often his dignity and decency go with it. It is a rare exception when an old man makes out to fall in love with the acrobatic grace which marks the action of youth. It this tendency of the old man . which gave birth to that firm- lly ground maxim: “There is no fool like an old fool” It is really better that prayer-books ~should be the toy of age than that women should. No g0o0-goos become _age, but gravity usuvally does. Some one has sald: “Woe to the man who becomes old without becoming wise; and he is usually wise in declining new enterprises. It is thoughtless rather than thoughful old age which rends itself or jars a neighborhood by such a fall. To know how to grow old is splendor and respecta- bility 1s an accomplishment, If we do not look out for ourselves in old age the corners of the mouth draw down and we come to repre- sent the vinegar of life as well as its stopping or . staggering _decrepitude, When there is no sugar-in the bowl, of course, a-condition of uncertainty has been set up; but that is the time when it is befter to wait than to worry. Those who abide with Pa- tlence keep. sweet, for she always seems to have sugar enough to go round; but those who sit down with Despair soon grow sour and feel sour and look sour. When it gets a good hold upon us the Vinegar of life is capable of expressing itself through every pore. Vinegar is good apple- juice in a state of fermentation and decay. A little vinegar on the table goes a good ways—an excessive quan- tity is ruinous. It will curdle the milk of human kindness and _give ms a face becoming only to a mirate (Written Specially for The Bulletin.) One of the sprightly French writers, Paul Louis Courier, (1773-1825) has toid a tale of his experiences in Cala- bria_which is just as interesting now it was when related, during 18 by the way, was a cele. ted political and literary writer, o was born in Paris. When still young, he adopted a military career, Serving with distinction in the wars of the Republic and the Empire. But his was more the taste for letters than for arms; so that, in 1809 he left the service and retired to private life, to enjoy his independence and to cul- tivate his literary talents. Although best known by his trans- lations from the Greek and by his chures on topics of contemporan- eous interest, considered models of keenness, penetration and wit, his Correspondence, published after his death, won for him a high place among the accomplished letter-writers of his age. It is while writing to his cousin, Madame Pigale, from Resina, near Portici, under date of Nov. 1st. 1807 that he relates his “Histoire Effray- ante”, the Terrifying Adventure to be here repeated. the polish and grace of his French he scolds his cousin reproaching her for her re as a letter-writer—only two has he received from her in three years, he decldres. However, he’ ad- mits 'that he dare not quarrel with her for her laxity, lest she grow angry and not write to him at all! _ This, too, in spite of the fact that she has written to beg him to relate to her some of his adventures during his re- cent absence from Erance. “Yes, surely,” he begins, quite after the familiar fashion of the present day, “I will recount my adventures, good ang bad, sad and gay, because I have had them of all sor Then he goes on to warn her that he is about to relate one adventure in particular which will be sure to in- terest her, to win her attention, to make her laugh, then grow _afraid. But she had better not read it at night; be careful of that! Because, on going to bed she would be certain of having some bad dreams; and for nothing in_the world would he be re- sponsible for causing her the night- mare! He goes on to relate that one day he was traveling in Calabria. This is a country of rough men, who he be- lieves, like nobody—above all, ~who dislike a Frenchman. He had for a travelling companion a yourg man. In these mountains the roads are very steep, so their horses made their way with great difficulty. The young traveler went ahcad, to choose what scemed to him the easiest and most direct path. The narrator blames himself for permitting such a thing, for letting the inexperienced head of a youth of twenty decide for one of his own age and wisdom. They got along well enough while daylight lasted, but, their road run- ning through a forest, after dark the more they looked for,the path the more_hopelessly they became lost. It was black night before they came in sight of a house also black as night. Knocking, they were admitted, not without some evidences of suspicion. They_found within a family of char- coal burners about the table, to which, with the first word they invited the trayelers. The younger man did not need any urging. He ate and drank with the greatest gusto, at once maKing him- seif , one of -the family. . The elder traveler was more cautious, examin- ing with secret dread the appearance and the habitation of their hosts, who, while they had the looks of charcoal burners, had a home like an arsenal. Everywhere were guns, pistols, Sunday Morning Talk DEAD RECKONINGES There are days at sea WHenm: the sky is overcast and it is impossible Dy observation to determine a ship's position. Oxicasionaily even whole voyages are made without a glimpse of the sun. In such seasons of cloud and fog charts are useless. The captain must sail by dead reckoning. From the course held and the rate of speed attained alone can he tell| where he is. Not otherwise is it in the lives of men when the light of heaven is withdrawn. We must simply keep the soils filled and hold the rudder true until the sun shines again. Moods of weariness and dullness will sometimes settle on the spirit. ‘We must work without inspiration and labor without hope. We must laugh when the mood forbids. We get into what the English call a ‘blue funk.” Doubt may sometimes rest on one like a sable pall. A man questions everything. The founda- tions become whobbly beneath his feet. Truths upon which he has based his iife are obscured. There are no lights to guide and reassure him. He moves through darkness. At such urnillumined seasons the only safety is to sail by dead reckoning. A ship enveloped in fog and mist does not ordinarily stop all - progress nor should a human being. Both may keep on_the course as definitely as if the skies were blue overhead, Duty is not dependent on moods, Right is not conditioned on our ap- prehension of it. Both remain the same in any conditions. It is important to get accurate bearings at the start of the voyage. We must see the sun in the right quarter when we leave land behind. After that, for a time at least, a daily view is not indispensable. The trouble with many people who get muddled and confused in the Voyage of life 1s that they have ever gotten proper bearings in the begin- ning. They have mever clearly seen the sun. They have had mo hour of open vision. They are not sure of where they are going, of the port they want to make. It is a small won- der that they are lost In a fog who are irresolute in fair weather. The first requisite of sucoess is to get a clever view of what life is, to know its big motives, its great re- wards, its untilmate goal. One should discover some practical reason for his existence. He should know why he is here and what he is to do. He should shape his course in the light of reason and of conscience. The course is then to be held equally whether gloom fills the skies or ail the stars are shining down upon him. Blind faith may not be the best kind of faith but it is sometimes the only possible kind. Many a time it may be necessary to keep on along the great circle - we are = traveling without any possibility of checking up AN ADVENTURE IN CALABRIA swords, knives and cutlasses. hing in the surroundings di the cautious observer, who, he admits, realized that in turn he himself was displeasing. With his young comrade, however, it was different. He was from the first ure of themselves. He laugied, he told stories, and with an imprudence which the elder man sought vainly to check, he explained frankly who they were, whence they came and whither they were going. Fancy us!” writes the narrator, “Frenchmen! there among our most bitter enemies, alone, almost unarmed, so far from human help! And then, as though to omit nothing which would deprive us of all vestige of safety, the yourn played the rich man, promiSing these people, for their hos- pitality and for acting as our guides on the morrow, anything they might ask! Finally, he. directed attention to his valise, begging them to take sood care of it, at last deciding to put it at the head of his bed; he needed, he said, no better pillow. Ah, youth! youth! Of what use for age to cen- sure you! Cousin, one would have fancied we were carrying the crown Jewels!” Supper finished, the weary travelers retired. Their hosts slept below, they in the loft or attic, an easy ascent of seven or eight feet, to which they ‘mounted by a ladder. There they found the bed which awaited them, a sort of nest, reached by dodging the wvarious provisions, stored, it would seem, for the whole year. The younger man threw himself on the rude bed and was asleep in an instant, his head on his precious val His companion, fearful, determined to keep awake, resisting all tempta tion to slumber, although well-nigh overcome with weariness. The long night was nearly over, nothing had happened, and he was be- ginning to reassure himself, when, ahcut the time it seemed to him to be near daybreak, he was aroused from a light slumber by the voices of host and his wife conversing guarded- 1y and evidently disputing, in the room below. Putting his ear to the chimney, which extended to the lower room, he distinctly heard the husband inquire, “Well, then, what do you say? Had I better kill both? ‘To which the wife responded decisively, “Yes!” and the listener heard no more. He kept quist on the bed, scarcely daring to breathe, growing cold with anticipation and horror. “To see me,” he writes, “you would not be able to tell whether I was dead or alive! Realize our plight—we two, almost without arms, against those ten or twelve who had so many! And my comrade helpless with sleep and fa- ticue! To awaken him, to make a sound, I did not dar To attempt es- cape would be futile. The window was not higl but outside were two big dogs howling like wolves. “After about a quarter of an hour, which seemed terribly long, I heard stealthy footsteps on the ladder out- side, and through the cracks in the door I could see the man, a light in one hand and a wicked looking knife in the other. He climbed, up his ‘e following. “Instantly | slipped behind the door, which opened to admit the man. But before entering, he handed the light to his wife to hold. Then he came in, barefooted; and shke, In a low voice, while shading with her fingers the light from the lamp, whispered, ‘Scftly! Softly!” “As the husband came up, the' ladder, climbing reaching the head of our bed, the knife between his teeth— the innocent young man _ stretched there on the bed, offering his uncov- ered throat—with one hand the charcoal burner took his knife, and with the othe -Ah, cousin! He seized a ham which hung from the rafter, cut from it a thick slice, and retreated as he had come! The door closed, the light vanished and I was left alone with my reflections! “As soon as day dawned, all the family, ‘with great fuss, hactened to wake us, as we had requested. We were summonded to the table, where was spread a tempting breakfast, ‘ex- cellent, I assure vou. Two chickens, already cooked, were designed, our hostess explained, for us; one to be eaten now, the other to furnish us forth a lunch to take on our journey. “Seeing the fowl, I understand the meaning of those terrible words, “Ought we to kill both, of then? " THE DICTAGRAPH. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Too Old for More Children. Mr. Editor: Norwich is widely known as the “Mother of Towns.” In 1716, when she was 57 years of age, there was an interesting event and the town of Franklin was born. Franklin in_turn. with eome assist- ance of old Mother Norwich, in 1786 brought forth the new town of Bezrah, In the same year, at the age of 127, Norwich was delivered of the town of Lisbon. By a union of Franklin and Lisbon, another issue appeared in 1861, and this ‘wes named Sprague. Thus the original area of Norwich produced five towns, and Norwich be- came the mother of Franklin and Lis- bon, the aunt of Bozrah and the grand- mother of Sprague. Now In her 256th year Norwich is too old to have any more children. DOCTOR. Norwich, March 19. 1915. The Tortoise and the Hare. Mr, Bditor: Owing to the pressure of other matters, we have not for a long time had anything from the mathematical section of our town; hence it struck us that during the lull while the doctors are preparing their memorial to the street department, and the man with sore throat is clearing his whistle, and varlous other correspond- ents are seeking new nom-de-plumes, preparatory to e Easter displays, an arithmetical exércise might be a men- tal relaxment from the heavier munici- pal problems that vex the public mind. Your readers have all doubtless heard of the famous race between thé tor- toise and the hare, or vice versa, be- tween the hare and the tortoise. A clipping taken from your _excellent paper some time ago, enclosed, gives the formuia: “The hare runs 60 feet a second. The tortolse covers half an inch a second.” “This we will consider accurate data. Now, assuming that the contestants starfed and ran one minute, at which point the hare rested, how long did she sleep in order that the tortoise, Who kept agoing, should beat her one-sixth of a second? PARA BOLA. There are more cases of appendi- citis In America than in Europe. Of course, the Europeans are too busy with ether causes of death right now to bother with a little think like the vermiform appendix; but these figures were compiled before the war started. America beats Europe on this high- our position. We saw_the sun clearly a day ago, or a month or a year—no matter just when. Let us believe it is still ‘shining above the mist. By and by the clouds will break and the mariner can again use. the sextant. Then he is glad if he has not idled away those dark days of stormy weather when he might have salled by dead reckoning./ THR PARSON. priced_complaint by almost three to one. Thers must be a reason. It is not the climate, it is not the psychology on the nervous tension. Hospital sur- Eeons in Africa declare that they have never seen a case of appendicitis in vegetable-eating Africans. The Brah- mins of India have never heard of the disease—and they have never tasted the fifiesh of & com or of a pig.—Tor- rington Rezistar. Stories of the War J Repairing the Bridges. Tndicative of the speed with which the Germans are rebuilding and re- pairing the bridges in France that were destroyed in an effort to check their advance in the earlier days of the war, Dr. Hans Eisele, just returned from the front, cites the case of a bridge near Fourmies, 175 meters in length, which has been restored within 25 days. iPor this work was needed 350 cubic meters of wood that had to be felled and hauled from the forest, some of it from a considerable distance. On the day of his visit to the bridge, Dr. Eisele found it lined with fir trees, in honor of the Kalser's birthday, and equipped with great barrels of water for use In case an effort should be made to burn it down again. Tizht guards, constantly changing, watch the structure to prevent any in- habitant of Fourmies from undoing the work of the Germans. Military trains used it exclusively, as they do most of the territory now occupied by Ger- many in France, though civillans with the proper passes are able to travel by rail i Another bridge rebuilt in_unusually short time is that over the Thon near Qrigny. This structure was destroyed by the French in 1870, and rebuilt only in three years. In the process of reconstruction, it is claimed, dynamite chambers were installed to permit of its easy destruction again in case of necessity. When this took place the gigantic blocks of stone were thrown into the valley, damming up the river and making a lake of the valley. This 230-meter-long, 20-meter-high bridge has been rebuilt in the space of 34 s, and_is now available for all Prisoners on Parole. The party of surgeons and nurses which traveled from England on board of Thomas Lipton’s Red Cross acht Erin, has found the country Straining every resource to repair the damage of the past seven months of warfare. There is little fresh war news, but in the best informed circles there is little disposition to believe that the enemy contemplated a serious attack on Serbia before late spring. The Red Cross unit will find plenty of work to do. All the hospitals in the country are crowded and there is a great dearth of surgeons and medi- cal supplies. One of the most remarkable sights here is the number of the ememy to be found walking about the streets, still_in uniform. They are prisoners on parole, and all the Serbian towns are dotted with them. Serbia has neither jails nor guards for the large number ‘of war prisoners that fell tc her share and she treats them there fore, as uninvited guests, toward whom the usual forms of hospitality must be maintained. Conservative fig- ures place the number of Austrian of- ficers and men now roaming at large in Serbia at 60,000. The question of their support causes some anxiety, but many of them have found employment and a few have even brought their families to live with them. The fom- ilies, of course, have had to trave from Austria by way of Rumania, o neutral country. At Nish the captive officers hav free access to the military club. Al the captive Austrian army surgeon have been commandered for work in the Serbian hospitals, where they are kept constantly employed and are paid good salaries. Russian Engineer’s Story. The exploit of a Russian military locomotive engineer who ran his en- gine through the enemy’s lines effect- ing the rescue of a number of strand- ed Russian passengers from a train disabled by the Germans, Is recounted by one of the members of the engine crew. The episode took place near Grodno during the recent German ad- vance in that neighborhood. “About two o'clock in the morning,” said the narrator, “our passenger train arrived at the station V. . . . We were ordered to detach our engine and proceed with all possible speed to the station ahead and bring back our sen- tinels who were on guard there. On our way we noticed a detachment of the German cavalry within a few hun- dred vards of the tracks behind us. We wanted to turn back but when we attempted to we found our way barred by railroad ties which the Ger- mans had placed on the tracks. The only think left to do was go ahead. “Some distance further alons we found a section of a passenger train which had been left behind. We man- aged to hook onto these cars which were filled with frightened passengers, and started towing them to a point Where we knew there was a branch line. Over this line we encountered more obstacles in the way of old ties, piled on the tracks, but we ran through them taking achance on be- ing deralled. When the Germans no- ticed that their barriers had falled to stop us they opened up on us with thelr rifles. Our soldiers replied as we sped along. One of the enemy's bul- lets plerced our tank and another bored a hole through the flues in the engine boiler. “We had put out our headlight, but the escaping steam lit up by the glow from the fire box enabled the Ger- mans- to locate us. One bullet later killed the ensineer, another hit the officer in the face. The fireman opened the clenched hand of the dead engineer and took the throttle. A German Uhlan appeared and shouted stop. He fired at us but missed. Our bullets got him. The German cavalry continued to shout at us but we went ahead unharmed at a speed of about thirty miles an hour and reached our lines in safety.” To Those Who Have Not. Swiss mothers have been seen to half strip their own children in the railway station at Schaffhouse in order to give needea articles of clothing to French boys and old men and women arriving there on their way back to France. These were recent prisoners in German concentration camps. The special trains bring four to five hun- dred of them into Scheffhouse daily. Members of the Swiss committee which was organized to greet them as soon as the train reaches Swiss terri- tory, open the car doors and shout to the 'travelers: “You are in Switzer- lar an announcement which is roundly cheered. Opposite to where the German train stops, is the Swiss train to take them to Geneva, en route to their homes in France. The need of food and clothes is in some cases pitiful. Some little girls appear with nothing but a thin summer dress to protect them from the winter's chill. The mother has only her skirt left and a few rags about her chest. An old man of 72 limps about in his stock- ing feet. They are all fed and warmly clothed before leaving Scaffhouse, and members of the committee accompany them on their journey as far as Gene- va. CASTORIA For Infants and Childrea In Use For Over 30 Years Alm‘:.m\ Sigaature of Spring Hats ARE READY Our Hat Department now offers a complete stock of all the very newest styles in both Derbys and Soft Hats for Spring. Not a few styles, but dozens of smart and becoming shapes are here. Hats of quality that will give the wearer lasting sat- isfaction in appearance and service. Stetson’s head the list at $3.50 and $4.00. Other good makes at $2.00, $2.50 and $3.00. THE FIRST SHOWING SPRING CLOTHES men is now ready. of NEW for men and young Kuppenheimer Suits, $18.00 to $25.00. Other good makes, $12.50, $15.00, $16.50. @The Manhatian 121-125 MAIN STREET THE WAR PRIMER By National Geographic Society Gallipoli peninsula, the Chersonesus Thracica of classical geography, where one of the most powerful battle fleets of all times is attacking, is the spur defense of Turkey in Europe, the best guarantee for centuries and the last guarantee in the present of the Otto- man Empire's place among the Great 2owers. It is a fruitful land, whose conditions at one time gave promise of a world-important commercial fu- ture. The Turkish occupation of 1357, however, cut off this promise, and the land has remained as much an obscure land to the twentieth century as it was to the Greeks of Pericles’ Athens. The wenderful ‘water avenue ‘which stretches behind it toward the heart of Central Asia has remained stagnant of all_development. N Gallipoli_peninsula_forms the Eu- ropean bank of the Dardanelles. To the north, it is enclosed by the deeply indented Gulf of Saros. The soils of this district are exceedingly fertile and well-adapted to agriculture. The peninsula is a hilly rib of land, fifty- five miles in extent, and varying be- tween three and thirteen miles in breadth. It supports about 100,000 people. It was the first section of land of European land to come under the domination of the crescent. Wheat and malize are grown in con- siderable quantities here, and are ex- ported to the Aegean Islands and to Turkish ports. Barley, oats and lin- seed wero raised largely for Great Britain, and canary seed was export- ed to Australia. Turkish rule, how- ever, has been a continual dead welght upon its development. For example, a wine was formerly produced from Gallipoli’s grapes which was held in admiration wherever connoleseurs of alcoholic beverages came together. It was exported in great quantities to France and there blended with other wines. The Turk put a tax of 55 per cent upon it, which drove the vint- ners to uproot their vines and sacrifice their industry. No important industry _establish- ments have been developed here. There are some steam flour mills, a sardine factory, and, there is, further, a limit- ed manufacture of leather and silk In the chief town, Gallipoli, which lies upon Marmora Sea at its junction with the Dardanelles. Besides the grains, cheese, skins of goats and sheep, and meat products make up the buik of the peninsula’s export. It imports woolen and cotton fabrics and hard- ware. The United States practically has no part in this trade. OTHER VIEW POINTS The public-spirited citizen will at- tend hearings of matters of interest to his community, no matter if he may net Se ety afoctsd by the action decided upon. What is of in- terest to the citizens of one part of the community should also interest him. He should grasp the oppor- tunity of being heard at the proper time or remain forever silent—Man- chester Herald. Now comes the statement that Hart- fcrd municipally commenced to slide back about 15 years ago, when politics entered the water board. It is peculiar what the average water works will de- velop in the political line, if given a chance—Middlatown Press. The Connecticut State Tuberculosis commission has just issued a flolder which is being spread broadcast through the state and which should accomplish a great work in public education on the proper treatment of consumption. “Good food, fresh air and rest are the best cures,” says the commission’s ' boorlet: “Keep out in the fresh air and in_the sunlight as much as possible.”—Bridgeport Tele- gram. After one has been surfeited with the modern novel, the problem play, the musical comedy and futuristic art, it is a blessed relief to resurrect the standard novel, the drama of a decade or more ago, the real comic opera and sane art. Comparison is good for the soul. In eticking so closely to the things which have captured the popu- lar fancy, one is very apt to miss the choice things which have once seen the light of day but which for some reason which it is difficult to fathom, have been relegated to the shelves there to gather dust and eventually sink into oblivion—Meriden Record. Foot speclalists say that “the chil- dren of today have feet like jellyfish and poor, sagging ligaments that re- fuse to hold the foot bones together,” as the result of generations of torture to the feet. Chinese women are kinder to themselves, as they do not try to get about very much on their bandaged extremities. From the standpoint of health, neuritis, indigestion, sciatica, gout and weak eyes are sometimes traceable to the wrong kind of shoes. In spite of all woman's efforts for emancipation, her success can never be complete so long as the French heel exists.—Bridgeport Standard. The present legislature can do one thing that will have great future value. It can make a drastic example of of- ficials, who have acquired the bad habit of exceeding their appropriations, then calling on the state to make up the deficiency from the next years hevenue. There should be, if there is not, @ law that will make it punish- able t6 thus waste the money entrust- ed to the charge of public officials. The deficlency bill that has just been pass- ed gives & convincing indication of how this evil has grown simply by tolera- tion. This is a good time to call a halt in the interest of economy. It fits in well with the program e legis- lators.—Ansonia. Sentinel. They Never Learn. The horrible example of the rest of Europe seems to have been lost on Portugal, which has started a war of its own.—St. Louls Globe-Democrat. The Chinese consider it impolite to wear spectacles in company. Yesterday’'s Auto Accidents Remind you to talk AUTOMOBILE INSUR- ANCE with me. Accidents, like fires, come unexpectedly. This agency makes a strong feature of Auto Insurance. L. J. FONTAINE Insurance and Real Estate May Building, opp. Chelsea Savings Bank, Norwich, Ct.