The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-30
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

be his emotions. He has returned from a. tomb where he has lain for years un- known and forgotten. He now has to be- gin his life over again amidst conditions strangely unfamiliar. No wonder some convicts refuse to leave prison after their terms are served. There is nothing in this world for them and the fact is realized long before the day of freedoom arrives
 So many varied notions are advanced these days that the mind of a conserva- tive person is apt to become sadly con- fused. Not long ago we were told that the American woman was devoting her self too strenuously to athletics and that unless she became more conservative golfer, tennis player. or motorist she would lose her feminine charms under a guise of coarse masculinity. Now Mrs. Chadwick M. D., calmly announces that America is full of invalids and that the real splendid, healthy woman is almost extinct" Although doctor Mrs. Chad wick uses her adjectives like an every day woman. If the doctor knows where of she speaks the condition of affairs is
  has not yet proved her statement and un- til she does of course there will be doubt Perhaps Mrs Chadwick has been so im- mersed in heavy tonnes of medical lore that she has forgotten to observe the Am erican girl in action and has taken notes in the drawing room where woman con elders it her privilege to be extremely Ianguid.
 Kyrle Bellew has scored quite a success as Rallies in a dramatization Of F. w. Hornung' s sketches entitled the Amateur Cracksman." Rallies is one of the most unique creations that our modern litera- ture has produced and is almost entitled to associate in the lofty society of Sher- lock Holmes. Since the latter was suc- ces on the stage the former seems to ap- peal to popular fancy also. As the gen. tleman thief MT Bellew is said to surpass himself and is delighting large audiences at the Princess theatre in New York. It is seldom that blase theatre goers can be prevailed upon to take an interest in de- tective plays and on that account more credit Is due the author who conceived the
 
 them. and the actors who play the parts. In Rallies" the play the detective is overshadowed by the suave thief but in the dramatization of Sherlock Holmes William Gillette as the great detective was of course the whole show. However, the 'Raffies" detective is not a bad sort of fellow and he is capably presented by E. M. Holland.
 Surgeon General Rixey in his report to the navy department recommends that two hospital ships be constructed at a cost of $1, 630, 600 each Although the United States was the first country to provide them for active operations she has fallen behind other governments since the war with Spain, says Surgeon Rixey. But if all our wars are to be as bloodless as our brush with the dons spending so much money on hospital ships would be gross extravaganza A tug boat could do the work just as well. But of course our sail ors are apt to fall i'll in times of peace or suffer accidents in the course of duty and then hospital ships could be of ser- vice. Although European nations are in- SAihcu to iooh uoWH upon uncle sam a naval power they will not be able to do so much longer provided the present rate of increase is maintained. In spite of howls we sometimes hear about taxing the people to keep up a large standing army very few persons have any objec- tions to providing protection for them- selves on the sea in case some foreign na- ton takes notion to try a bout with us It seems now that all battles of the future will be fought on the water and It IS all the more necessary that our navy be strengthened until we can afford to smile down on John Bull, Emperor William and all the rest of the European chorus.
 PC