Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-17

and most of the foreign nations are con-
fined in their exhibits to models of their
fastest vessels and the latest system en-
ployed in the merchant marine. Models of
warships and all that pertains to naval
warfare will be found in the Army and
Navy Palace.
French Losing Ground.
Many Americans who have decided to come
over to see the fair studying French
and seeking to master enough of the Gallo
tongue to pilot themselves safely through
a short trip to France. Ability to speak
our language will be most useful to visitors
without doubt, though numerous guide
books are being prepared for them in Eng
lish to pave the way, and all Frenchmen
who expect to cater to the foreign visitors
are devoting most of their spare time 20
the study of the Ang1o-Saxon. Some very
recent statistics which / have consulted
land these words are penned with feelings
of sincere regreD indicate that the French
language Is being opposed with undiSguiSed
hostility in various parts of the world. and
has begun to lose its international in
fluence. One instance will suffice to illus
trate what this war of language means.
In Belgium alone the Flemish and German
tongues have gained $4,000 unities over
the French. Even in the diplomatic world,
where, a few years ago, no one ever
dreamed of speaking or writing on interna-
uonai matters in any other language than
French, it will be found that German and
English are frequently adopted In their
official relations, the United States as well
as Great Britain and Germany are seeking
| to replace French with the English or Ger
man tongue. The last open fight was at
The Hague peace conference. One of the
United States delegates insisted using
the English language, and there would
have been some serious disputes on the
subject had not the Italian delegate, Count
Nigra, who is ambassador of Italy at Wen
ma, interviewed by declaring he would have
recourse to his native tongue if the pro-
Oan lf,,cr, nt inI IN
The last commercial treaty signed between
Mexico and China was drawn up in the
English language
A Gelatine Gown.
Among the curious things which will be
exhibited at the Paris fair, and one of the
most original will be a lady's gown made
entirely of spider webs. The species of
insect which supply the material for this
dress are found in the Island of Madagas-
car. Side by side with this novelty in
ladies' apparel, will be gown in gelatine,
to which the name "Vanduara Silk has
already been given. The gelatine tissue is
identical as regards composition with the
gelatine and jellies made by pastry cooks.
Scientists in France and England declare
that the new departure will one day be
found to be serious rival to silk. The
process for manufacturing a gelatfne gown
of the latest approved fashion is to melt
the geiatine in boiler and obtain. by the
addition of certain secret mixtures, COM
position whose ductiity is such that it
can be wound on wheels like ordinary cot
ton or thread. A single workman can
superintend the manufacturing of about
$4,000 yards daily. The gelatine is next
rendered insoluble SO that, should a lady
get caught in an unexpected shower, she
would not have the modification of seeing
her dress run off in the gutter. Only few
hours are required to render a gelatine
dress not only proof against dissolution,
but likewise waterproof. There is only one
drawback to the new textie-the material
has no great power of resistance, and the
promoters advise amateurs to mix a little
natural wool, silk or cotton with the gela-
tine fabric. They say that this is only
along the line of compensation, for so many
other substances are introduced into the
silk for making dresses, that to establish
an equilibrium, 1t is but just that a little
silk be introduced into other materials.
FREDERIC MAYER.