The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-27
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

so simply to make themselves conspicu- ous. but why man of genuine talent, who is always sure of being overwhelmed with attention, wants to make himself ridiculous in such manner is hard to say. It is to be hoped that abundant hair, either on head or face. is merely sign of great intellectual power or scintillat- ing genius. We all know that heavy growth of hair on face or body is said to be mark of great strength.
 Professor Langley's fate now hangs in the balance After five years of work. during which $GO0OO of government funds were expended, his machine failed to fly and the ordnance board will take up the question as to whether the progress of his experiments will justify further contribution from Uncle Sam. There are great many people in this country who are of the opinion that the inventor was not entitled to government assistance in the first place and that his failures have been costly without appreciable results. There are other men in this country who are perhaps as smart as Professor Lang ley and know as much as he does about aerial navigtion, yet they are compelled to make their experiments unaided or aI best with the help of private funds. Of course 1t is very desirable that we solve the problem as soon as possible and the government would be much commended if solution were brought about by its efforts but every aspirant for aerial honors should be given a fair trial and the best man chosen So far Professor Langley has made fiasco. Why not give the San Francisco man a chance now? At worst he would only tumble down and might be prevailed upon to make his experiments in person.
 And still the world powers go on in- creasing their fighting armament Every year vast sums are expended until one begins to ask if it is all to no purpose. or is the long expected crash drawing near If war should come within the next ten or fifteen years it would find the nations we'll equipped for a fray, and there is no telling what the result would be. Of course the United States, England, Ger many, Russia and France would have to decide this question, but it's decision would involve horrible season of bloodshed and destruction. It would be case of an- initiation or victory. During the past five years America has made great progress in increasing her navy. This movement was stimulated by the victory over Spain and consequent pride awakened in our prowess on the sea. While we are busily constructing great armored cruisers, bat tleships, monitors and torpedo boats other countries are doing the same thing. Ger many's naval department announces that it expects to have thirty-eight modern battleships in commission by 1920, of which seventeen will replace old war vessels. Similarly France, England and especially Japan, have been making extensive pur- chases. If a great struggle overcomes it is to be hoped that 1t will take place on the sea, thus sparing the home an in- vasion. With great world powers engaged simultaneously in Titanic warfare on every part of the sea the spectacle would be grand. but it would also be terrifying. and no one longs for it to come. The re- suits would be too uncertain.
 The appointment of Sir Mortimer Du- rand as ambassador to the United States seems to meet with general favor. The new diplomat, who succeeds Sir Michael Herbert, is a man of many pleasing quail ities, and is Just the person to take we'll in our American society. He is about fifty years of age and has had a notable dip lomatic career. The London press states boastingly that we certainly ought not to think ourselves sighted in the matter of diplomats, for King Edward sends over the best man to be had. Although Sir Michael was justly well ilxed 1t will be easy for the new ambassador to win gen. eral favor. American people are not hard to please, and if Sir Mortimer lives up to his recomm mendations he will be .fn- mensely popular at Washington.
 PC.