Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1896-05-31

operation, no message has been, as 1t
were, delivered.
Camille Flamnsrion Is now making
some highly important investigations
into the nature of the media through
which Marian information must neces-
sarily be transmitted. He was at first
inclined 10 suspect that ray of light
would answer the purpose. That is
why we heard so much few years ago
about the feasibility OF a radiant efful-
gence systematically contriyed upon
our earth's surface as a signal to our
fellow creatures, if it be not too fanciful
to call them so, so many million miles
away.
But Flammarion has altered his
views. He now inclines to the theory
of an air current dexterously directed
as a connecting thread of atmosphere
along which signals, perhaps acts and
deeds, may be made manifest and effec-
tive.
Once the luminiferous ether now sun
dering Mars and earth like a dividing
chasm has been penetrated the whole
difficulty vanisheS. Then not messages,
tial their nature matters little, become
as ordinary as the Atlantic cable.
These are the considerations which
impart to June II next an almost few
erish expectancy from the astronomical
standpoint
The young men from Harvard, Ok
ford and elsewhere are now the envy of
their less favored fellow students, not
that the cold and calculating professors
allow anything but fundamentally eX-
act considerations to enter into their
forecasts of the result Moreover, it
would be rather farcical in them TO
make eXtravagant claims as TO what
they hope TO ascertain. Failure to re-
alize their expectations would subject
them to ridicule. Nevertheless, the eX-
petition has such far seeing ends in
view that even the coolest of the as
tronomers have been tempted into
specializing upon the certain possibili-
ties involved in what may ensue when
the discoveries are made.
Imagine, as the great Schiaparelli
puts it. an unWittingly offered medium
of communication presented to the
MarstianS by ourselves. On that plan
ct they are so far our superiors in in
telligence as to be able to seize oppor-
tunitieS which we would fail not alone
to take advantage of, but even to see.
We're the Martians malevolent they
might occasion what we would mistake
for a tremendous seismic convulsion,
but which in reality must be an act Of
hostility on their part.
FIGHTING MARS.
Be these things as they may, and no
doubt the masses Of mankind will bother
their heads very little about them so
far as actual warfare is concerned,
Schiaparelli and Flammarion to the
contrary Notwithstanding, it is inter
eSting to note the comparatively vec-
ondary Importance of the canals.
These canals of Mars have been pref
ty well exploited by this time. This
expedition of Harvard's has rendered
the science of astronomy a great SER
vice by demonstrating that the human
eye. aided though it be by the most
powerful lens man can devise, is DOW
erless to determine the question of the
reality of Mars denizens. Collateral
evidence. the testimony of perform
ances not of organs or beings, must be
the final authority. Upon this phase
of the problem will attention be concen-
trated.
Nor can any one doubt who under
stands the learning, the wealth the gen.
Jus. and more than even all these, the
unwearying patience and industry OF
our starry toilers. that triumph OF
no ordinary grandeur awaits them in
their approaching June vigil.
The ethics OF claiming Mars. In case
of an answer next month, have been
discussed. Astronomers have had no
hesitarcy in regarding a discovered
star as their own. though it stood
forth for all to see it. But will the
same reasoning apply TO a planet, one
endowed with the power to fight even
and take part in our own celebrations
And if so could and would Mars under
stand and be willing. Would she learn
IN know who owns her, and would she
daign 10 throw the results Of her older
existence into the hands Of her new
Claimants. These are fanciful but be-