Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-04-09

strands Of stout elastic which is twist
ed round and round and then drives the
propellerS by unwinding itself. But an
hour spent in looking at all their varied
forms and cunning devices does not
make one feel the power Of fight SO
much as five minutes near one of the
full-size machines.
Metal Lighter Than Aluminium.
What appears to be one of the most
remarkable exhibits at the aeronautical
show-a few pieces Of whitish metal
which would probably be passed over as
samples of aluminium by a casual WIS.,
itor--has not captured much publicity.
But I am told that these pieces are
specimens of new metal or alloy. so
new that it has not even received a
name. 1t is extraordinarily light. Alum
mum weighs rather more than twice as
much as water; the new metal is scarce
ly one and three-quarter times the
weight of water-a reduction of fully
one-third. A rod Of the new metal four
and a half feet long would be just about
equal in weight to an iron rod OF the
same diameter Of only a single foot
length. Taking a line through alumni
mum. one would expect the new metal
to be of poor, crumbly nature, but this
is far from the case. as a small strip
exhibits an elasticity like that of spring
brass. The metal can be rolled into
be cast nor be Joined by brazing. No
price is quoted at present, but for spe-
cial purposes the material should be
worth a good deal.
Writing of aeroplanes naturally calls
to mind the hopes placed on them for
war purposes and the steps that are be-
ing taken to offset their utility in that
respect. The krupp works have pro-
duced a gun to fight aeroplanes. and the
Vickers. Maxim Company in England is
experimenting not only on that head.
but also to produce light armament to
be carried by aeroplanes. Artillery ex-
perts at the national WoOlwich arsenal.
too are experimenting with various types
the air should they ever be brought
within the range of practical warfare.
The weapon that meets with most favor
at Woolwich just now is in some re-
spects a combination Of howitzer and
naval Hotchkiss gun. and throws shells
Of two pounds or SO with very great
rapidity.
Many admirers of Tennyson's poems
will be surprised to learn that his young
est sister, Mrs. Washington, has just died.
1t was this lady who was engaged to
Arthur Henry Hallam. Tennyson's init
mate friend, whose early death inspired
the greater portion Of Ia Memoriam. -
Mrs. Lushington was in her ninety
second year.
The liberal premier of England Is work
ing hard TO lay the naval scare he worked
up to bring the insurgents in his party
to order. but ii will need all his efforts
to continue on the economical policy the
government set itself. for the country is
badly frightened. / had occasion the
other day to meet an official of a foreign
government whose duties are in London,
and who Is man of worldwide expert
ence, besides being a good friend of this
country. His own government is in no
way concerned in the question of great
navies now agitating England and Ger
many, and his attitude is therefore that
of the intelligent and disinterested for
eigner. So he professed to be unable to
understand the present scare, unless it
was due to confused thinking.
British Naval Situation.
Tie British navy he declared, is so
much more powerful that for years to
come Germany cannot overtake it, But
his main point was that Germany could
not. whatever the power Of her navy. be
contemplating an attack on this country,
because this would involve a great Euro
pean war, In which all her efforts would
be required for her own immediate from
tiers. and she would have no force to
spare for such an enterprise as the con-
quest of Great Britain. Germany wanted
great navy, he observed. because she
was a great nation. had great interests
abroad and wanted to be in a position
10 protect them. as we'll to show Great
Britain that her friendship was worth
having.
If the United States sent a great war
fleet all round the world at vast expense
and with universal approval. why should
Germany not construct a great fleet as
we'll? What Is right and proper in