The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-27
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

H-O say that the recent production \CH of "Parsifal' created a furor in
 New York would be expressing it mildly. No operatic achievement in the history of this country has created a greater sensation or awakened more gen eral iTgerest in all parts of the land. For weeks in advance the papers were filled with descriptions and discussions of Wagners great work. Every phase of the production, down to the proper dress for the occasion, was thoroughly threshed over, that when the suspicious mo- ment for it's presentation arrived Herr Conried had the satisfaction of knowing that he had enjoyed an unprecedented amount of free advertising and as a re- suit the Metropolitan opera house was packed with an audience surpassing in number all previous gatherings in this famous building For the past day or two New York papers have busted them- selves with describing "Parsifar' for the benefit of those unfortunates who could not go. When leading papers of the country devote page or more to a sin gle performance it can readily be sur missed that the production has made an impression not soon to be erased.
 As was to he expected, Herr Conried achieved merited success in his great en- deavor and is now receiving unstinted plaudits for his perseverance and enter prise. Aside from the natural difficulties to be surmounted he was harrassed by
 
 ances that would have brought physi- cal breakdown to most people. It is enough to say that his presentation of 'ParsifaI" is the most stupendous and elaborate affair that modern minds can conceive of and it will be a long time be- fore his success is duplicated Even Ben Hur," which was the subject for univer sal wonderment, has been left far in the distance.
 It is now an assured fact that Captain Dreyfus will have his case revised by civil tribunal and the joyful tidings came at a most appropriate time-during the Christmas holidays. Just what will be the result of this inquiry is rather hard to say at present, but there is growing belief in France that he will be restored to his rank after suffering treatment few men could endure and live. Although sev- eral of the persons who figured most prominently In this sensational case are now dead and strange misfortune has overtaken others. there are yet enough remaining to make the investigation thor oughly interesting. Although interest in s,- the case during his former trial, it is predicted that there will be some develop ments which may startle the world at the enormity of the crime committed against justice.
 The lot of Wu Ting Fang, former min ister from China to the United States, as the Jerimiah of his country, is certainly not one to be envied. He is seldom heard from now, from the fact that he is serving in minor capacity while other men, less capable, less talented, and less popular are making ducks and drakes Of the country's affairs. To man like MT Wu, who is thoroughly acquainted with the world and is possessed of many accomplishments, it must be exceeding ly bitter to stand by and see the inevit- able mach of his country toward final decadence and possible division. A late dispatch states that MT. Wu is disgust ed with China and intends to resign his position Although one man can not do everything to raise such vast empire as that of China, he can do great deal and if MT. Wu had been honored with a place suited to his talents the condi- tion of affairs could not be so bad. What China needs is host of Wus who Will devote their lives to building up their country until it can compete on equal footing with Japan. Seeing all about him nothing but steady decay. it is not to be wondered at that Mir. Wu sees no hope for the future.
 In Japan there is reported to be an epidemic of suicides by jumping over waterfalls and so frequent have such rash deeds become that it has been found necessary to post signs forbidding de- spondent persons from departing this world by the water route. This calls at tenticn to the fact that there have been