The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-19

NA OW that Columbia has rejected O the Panama canal treaty the Mic araguan route for which Senator Morgan has fought so long and sturdily may yet be chosen by the United States government. The presz of the country was inclined to condole with the Alabama statesman when congress decided to adopt the Panama route because his lifework had to a certain extent come to naught. But 1t seems that their sympathy was premature. It is hard to say just what the future holds in store but Uncle Sam would play a caitiff part should he again attempt to reason with Colombia by any other means than ships of war. chicanery and corruption have been evident since the negotiations began. America has allowed herself already to be fleeced out of no in- considerables sum and the warnings of Senator Morgan have been unheeded. He is not man to say T told you so' but it is quite likely that his hopes for the Mic araguan route have been reawakened by recent developments.
 The great are not always happy. Neith-
  honors undisturbed The spirit of depart ed Shakespeare has been harrassed for weary years by wise persons who seek to show by cycles" and arithmetieal jug glery that his immortal plays were writ ten by Lord Bacon, who certainly did not sign his name to his best poetry. Now Edmund Rostand has been accused of plagiarizing from his distinguished prede- cessors A certain Frenchman who styles himself Jehan Rictus, has issued a pamph- let entitled "A Literary Bluff" in which he attempts to show that the playwright is nothing more than colossal fake. This monsieur says that "Cyrano," the only readable play that has been turned out in recent years, is merely a rehearsal of "Ruy Blas' and "Hernani." Heretofore Rostand has been permitted to enjoy measure of his success and this attack is more surprising than it is sensible. The secret of Monsieur Rictus' discomfort seems to be in the reception which was accorded young Rostand in the French academy.
 Whether "Cyrano' is original or not Is too trivial question to be discussed. If 1t is rehash it is good one and lovers of the drama are perfectly willing for Ed mund Rostand to continue writing such masterpieces.
 America is to be visited by another Ku- belik His name Is not really Kubelik but then he is a fac simile of the ethereal Bohemian and will no doubt be capable of creating just as much excitement among the matinee lasses. The new wizard of the violin who is coming over to see Amer ica, and incidentally make some money, Is a French youth named M Jacques Thibaud, whose performances have IT, valed those of the celebrated young Bo- hemian. Tn the east Kubelk had no cause to be displeased at the manner in which he was received especially by the ladies' As Monsieur Thibaud is likewise long, thin and spirituele. withal possess ing an abundant shirsuit, which would be the better for an aplication of scissors, 1t is probable that he will make quite a sue cess of his American tour. He will ap- pear In New York on October 30.
 "Bill Alp the sunny philosopher of Georgia, whose real name is Major Char les H. Smith. is seriously i'll at his home in Cartersville and is not expected to re- cover Major Smith is now an old man and his thousands of friends over the south fear that he may not be able to combat disease successfully in his in feebled condition. The family are already assembled at his bedside. Bill Arp is a familiar name in the papers of the United States. His humorous stories and letters to the Atlanta Constitution have been widely copied. He and Frank Stan- ton have done much to make the Atlanta Constitution one of the most widely quot ed papers in the country The aged au- thor is reported almost in the shadow of death but it Is hoped that he may yet be spared for few more years of use- fitness.
 It is reported in Cincinnati that Murat Halstead, the veteran newspaper man, will be connected with the school for jour- nalism for which Joseph Pulitzer has do-