Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-30
BRYAN IN LONDON
EVADEs POLITICS

Special Cablegram to The Star.
LONDON, July 3O.-Mr William Jennings
Bryan. the American conmoner." whom
the English newspapers now delight to
refer to as the American Gladstone" and
who has been enjoying a reception in
Great Britain such al has been afforded
to few men. honors paid him being .llaost
royal. is anxious that 1t should be made
perfectly plain and clear that hts return
to the United States at the present timo
has no local political significance He is
anxious to participate In the coming con-
gressfonal campaigns all over the country.
but his interviews make emphatic the point
that he does not intend to participate in any
local campaign except In the state OF Ne
oraska. In other words, he viii act en-
tireiy Independent OF any local party
troubles. in New York. New Jersey. Con-
necttcut. Missouri and other states in
which he intends to speak. In New York.
for instance. he has no intention of taking
sides for or against the governorship cam
vass OF w. r. Hearst-in Missouri his
speeches. for example, must not be con-
strued as being for or against any faction
In party politics. Commenting upon the
address at the American banquet OF Will
lam ]. Bryan the London Daily Express
said:
The name Of William j. Bryan Is as
ISOLATED in the English mind with the cur
reRcy question. Now. the currency ques-
tlon, as 1t concerns money. Is sortffd. and
Mr.. Bryan when he rose to address the
American Society at their Independence
day banquet might have been expected to
make one of those practical and material
tstic speeches which are the poets despair.
Nothing of the kind was heard from his
HIPS No poet ever held up a higher ideal
or empire; few politicians ever attempt SO
lofty an Interpretation OF their calling.
Y,Sf he ri.
land has conferred upon India, the United
States upon the Philippines. he places the
blessing OF language. On a superficial OBJ
servation this may seem a very literary
sort OF benefit. while Mr.. Bryan may strike
some people as a benefactor who would
give poor folk a good book to read when
they need an ample dinner.
Look into It more closely, however. and
philanthropy exercised by the English
tongue. What ideas of liberty morality
and good government 1t opens up to peoples
who have drawn their whole store of In
struction from totally different sourcesi
The tongue that Milton spoke Is but an
organized synonym for freedom, for the lib
erty that begins in discipline. for the VIC
tories which arise from self-conquest It
Is an inspiration to the man who speaks
and understands 1t, and MIR. Bryan is not
wrong In making it the guide. as it were,
to those goals of a humane civilization
whittier the white man with his burden
ccntlnualiy mdrCneS.
After years Of waiting Mr.. Louis de
Rougemont. who astonished the world with
his extraordinary tales of adventure, was
given an opportunity a few days ago of
demonstrating his ability to ride astride
turtles swimming under his control.
The scene of the achievement was the
London Hippodrome. after the usual mid
day performance. and there was an audi
eRce of not more than thirty privileged per-
sons.
There was SO much doubt cast on my
story OF riding turtles he said s'that I
have since been sorry 1 mentioned 1T, but
that was the incident of my adventures
that drew most attention to my name, and
am gong 70 try and show you now under
great difficulties that 1t was no idle state
ment."
Passing his hands over the .turtle-to
mesmeriZe IL. he explained-Mr de Rouge
mont pushed the sleepy-lookng creature
into the water and got astride It. At first
the turtle was inclined to get out again,
but the brown-skinned jockey sitting erect
and holding the shell near the neck with
at the same time shouting excitedly
"Yatali!" "Yatanr'
Then tho turtle began to swim very slowly
toward the center of the tank
The progress through the water was very
slow, but the rider continued his cries. and
beat the water on either side of his mount
to guide 1t.
When the center of the tank was reached
Mr. de Rougemont slipped off and Quickly
turned the creature on Its back, rfghted
1t again, and remounted, keeping clear of
the dangerous fappers. A round of ap-
plause rewarded his efforts.
A slump In tin mining shares more sud
den than has been known for many years