The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-12-15

At $50 the reception began. the members
OF the club bidding welcome to their
honored guest At o'clock the club was
called to order by President George l..
shepiey and the annual election of officers
took place. the following being unani-
mousIy chosen for the coming year:
President. George L. Shepley: vice
president. j. Edward Studley; secretary.
NJ r. Dooley: treasurer l.. II. Comstock
executive committee. Richard -. Knight,
Charles Alexander and Benjamin A. Jack
son.
THE BANQUET.
Shortly after the hour OF the members
entered the spacious dining hall, and after
divine blessing had been pronounced seat
ed themselves The tables were all
tastily decorated. the presidents table
being especially effective. demonstrating
the commercial expansion OF our great
country. The miniature railroad. wind
Ing In and out among the flowers. a tin
steamboat TO represent our sea com
merce. the warehouse TO picture that
branch OF industry, all issuing seemingly
from the horn Of plenty. and the general
effect heightened BY the use OF small
electric lights did certainly present a
unique picture. and the steward. Mr. But
Ter. together with his assistant. Mr.
Brand, are deservinr OF praise for a
clever. effective arrangement
The fnenu-was exreffeat=fren4- sottr- "a
coffee and after an hour spent attending
10 the desires OF the inner man. President
shepley. IN few well chosen words In.
troduced the speaker Of the evening. the
Hon. Charles Emory Smith.
MD c<frrrIsS AfNnpu-Sc
The subject Of his address was Rus.
sia"--s timely topic and one with which
he Is fully acquainted. II is very safe "a
say that never in the history or the club
has so ahle talk been heard and upon
2 subject in which. evidently. every in
dividual present was more than inter.
ested
IL was a presentation of facts. not fam
cies--of truths and every listener. when
Mr.. Smith had finished, certainly had a
more definite knowledge or Russia and the
conditions existing IN that fsr away land
than they ever had before Ills diplomatic
career as minister to Russia gave him
the opportunity TO study that land her
political institutions and her people and
what he told la night had the effect o'
changing. undouhtedly.the views ~ many.
For nearly two hours he held his hear.
ers In closest attention ard said On part.
FIXED EYE OF TIE WORLD
Two events have hyed Tho ave OF the
world upon Rgss'a ~ ihe present time
one the wsr she ls nov engaged In With
Japan. and the other The zems tvos meet
ing which occurred recently
When the Japsnese disa5,ed ne Rus.
SIAN feet they drew .hs eyes of the world
10 the con- nbatants. who were hegln'ina
the bioodlesf conflict in history Thee
IL seemed 70 tire wo-ld Ike tss personal
combat when the littie David stepped
forth 20 nght q battle Mia the PAiilstlues
and so far !, has resulted Ne that hihilca
combat did.
The war has opened % us chaptet
81 the most amazing contradictions and
contrasts. on the one Side there has
been evidenced an unps raiieled prepars
ton. a perfection OF discipline and ? suh
Unity of daring sacrifice exciting tive
wonder and admiration ~ The world on
tho other side r. seen . startling to;a'
lack Of intelligent foresight. failure
cf equipment and ~ want of capscit,
IN the handling ~ ships and the meeting
- attsck by reckless and stolid cour.
sre bravery and calamity. bat losing IN
its aim BY being unscientihcally applied
Japan shows a vigor In war that IL