The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-01-28
A FEW THOUGHTS ON FUTURE WANTS

Mr.. A. J. Balfour, the leader in the
English House Of Commons of the Con-
seryative party, made a speech few
DAVIS back in which he said imperial
defence was, at this time, Of paramount
interest to all Englishmen. Any nation
or combination Of nations, said he, which
was able to wrest from Great Britain
her supremacy of the seas, could bring
her to her knees without landing
single soldier on English soil. lie did
not believe any government was Jusu-
fed in expecting n long era OF peace.
The French and Russian governments
were pushing forward with all speed
the work In their dock yards. Certain
movements made of late years In Asia
were only too obviously directed against
England. While there were indications
that France and Russia were earnestly
bent upon peace, their arrangements
evidently were prompted by the as
sumption OF conflict with England sooner
or later, single or combined. He be-
lieved that the English people were
amieably disposed towards France, but
must admit with the deepest regret the
conviction that the French were hostile
to England.
Finally, he appealed to the electors TO
influence their representatives in Parli-
ament, by all possible means to assist
in quickly and efficiently strengthening
the country's defences. He could pledge
the opposition, he said. to cooperate
cordially with the government in it's
every effort to increase Engiand's naval
and military power.
We have every reason TO believe that
In speaking as he did. Mr. Balfol was
voicing the sentiments and opinions of
the overwhelming majority of English
men. 1t is very plain TO us that the vast
preparations for war that all the other
countries OF Europe have made have
aroused serious alarm in England and
have made it very probable that England.
too, Is soon TO take her place in the
family OF European nations as a power
that carries a chip on it's shoulder that
IL is hunting for some one TO knock off.
came from a man less known to science
would be received with jeers brings
forward the question. may not all the
preparations OF the European powers for
war be thrown away? Mr.. Maxim; the
celebrated inventor. announces that he
has almost completed his flying machine
and that in a short time he will be ready
to introduce 10 the world n reliable
method Of aerial navigation. He makes
this announcement in an interview with
him, published In McClures Magazine.
TO prove his assertions he gave his in
tcrvlewer ride on his great ariel model
whose trips TO be sure, are confined as
yet 10 "a railway track ON Mr.. Maxim's
English estate. the writer prcferrins TO
read the lifting power OF his areo-planes
of a delicate gauge rather than TO risk
his bones in actual ilight. Nevertheless.
he says that he has now secured the
requisite power, and has to check his
speed 30 as 10 keep his machine from
lifting from the tracks. His great diff
Guilty Is in learning how TO use his ma
chine which is an embarrassment Of the
same Kind experienced by those who at
tempt tc master an old fashioned bicycle
without the supporting hand OF friend
Before he makes any experiments he
wishes to have his machine quite per-
feet. and 10 he daily backs his huge
winged horse out Of the great she'd where
his thirty skilled mechanics are tinker
Ing at It. and puts It through Its PAGES
on the track to make sure that IT is
- aswlsss ~ the one horse shay. lie