Evening star., 1900-03-31
the poor imag gine to be their great consola-
ton. 1t is a sad thing"
Socialism and Progress.

Socialism and Progress.
'Then you do not believe in socialism, NJ.
Werner
Who can tell If 1t will prove success
for the poor man? II l were young enough
1 would feel tempted to take up the greatest
subject for the romancer the coming CEN
tury offers-the romance of modern busi-
ness methods, with the intricate intrigues
OF Syndlcates. trusts, combinations and gi-
gantic deals America began it. and the
world is following. What is the Transvaal
war but an exhibition of the power of these
new social forces? 1 have been reading
Mr.. Wells remarkable story, When the
Sleeper Wakes His picture is a terrible
one Of the gigantic, remorseless social ma
chinery of tomorrow"
Yet you, of all men. must believe in
progress?"
Progress toward what?' he inquired
rather sadly. But yes, we must keep NOV
ing; 1t is the law of our being. Still, when
l visit the exhibition in a few weeks l
shall 'ook upon its wonderful promises with
apprehension. Do you remember my story
of The Five Hundred Millions of the Be
gum? Half the colossal fortune went to
the founders of a virtuous community, half
to the followers of a somber genius whose
ideal was one of forceful seIf-aggrandiZe-
ment. The two communities developed won
derfully, according to the possibilities of
modern science-the one toward sweetness
and light, the other In a different direction.
Now, which tendency will our own civiliza-
tion take? Are we to go on killing and op-
pressing scientifically, or shall We strive to
realize a gay and healthful millennium?
Science can do either. as she is directed
Which way shall she be directed?"
On Other Subjects.
Jules Verne has become an old man, and
the signs of his late attack of influenza are
still on him The enthusiasm of the last
few moments obviously tired him. The
Tra bod
than once. and 1 feared that 1t might lead
to the disagreeable subject-everywhere in
the air-of 1.-The war between France and
England. after the exhibition" So has
tened to speak of the English and American
appreciation of his books, and reminded
him that he so often had made his heroes
Englishmen.
Yes he answered, members of the
English-speaking races make excellent
heroes for me, where there Is story or
adventure and invention, or scientific pio-
neering work. / thoroughly admire their
cOolness and go-ahead qualities"
And as love enters so seldom into your
calculations" 1 insinuated politely. because
it is always understood by Frenchmen that
Anglo-Saxons are not much on love.
Love in His Books.
II deny that In toto" he cried. Take
Mistress Brancan' and the charming girls
in some of my other novels. When he soft
influence is necessary you will always find
it there. Love, however, is an absorbing
passion, and my heroes need all their nerve
and interest to get out of their difficulties.
Were they to be in love all the time they
would certainly stick where We found them
in the first chapter. Besides" This with
Frenchman's difficulty in understanding
love in any way but one), Il have always
wished that my stories might be placed un-
hesitatingly in the hands of young peo-
pie"
The fine old Frenchman is justified by his
success. In the library they showed to me
samples of the almost numberless editions
of his works, translated into English, Ger
man. Spanish, Portuguese. Dutch, Swedish
and Russian. There were even Japanese
and Arab translations of Around the
World in Eighty Days" and Madame Verne
took down a curious vellum-bound manu-
script wherein Persians may read the ad-
ventures of PhineaS Fogg.
Many Americans look forward to seeing
you at the exhibition remarked in part
ing. Some think there ought to be Jules
Verne day"
He blushed with pleasure. but there was
also embarrassment. Don't mention 1t,
he exclaimed. "Such thing could not be.
There would be no possible reason for it.
Jules Verne has had his day"
STERLING HEILIG.