The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-08-04
FACTS IN FEW L|NES|

There were 100000 men under arms
in England in the year of Trafalgar.
The word alphabet comes from the
Phoenic "alafa" and "beth," meaning
"a" and 3D."
1t is stated that English is gradually
becoming the international language
Of commerce in China.
An attempt on the part Of a French
circus company to give bullfghts in
Berlin was frustrated by the police.
Sixty-three new plays were produced
In London last season. OF these thir-
ty-seven were by English dramatists.
The japanese government contem-
plates the adoption of measures to pre-
vent the reckless destruction of whales.
Eighteen steamships have been en-
gagged to carry the latest apple crop of
100000 cases from Tasmania to Eng
land and Germany.
OF the 1907 travellers engaged In
selling their wares in Switzerland in
1908 only four we're from the United
States and one from Russia.
Dogfish are becoming so destructive
on the coast Of Great Britain that the
southern and western coasts are rapid
ly being depleted by their activity.
Probably the oldest derricks still in
nse are the two built at Trier, in Ger
many, in the year 1913 and the one
built in 1854 at Andernach, also in
Germany.
The use of wheeled vehicles and the
existence of requisite roads therefor in
years. The former method was car
rage by pack horses.
Because Of the enormous damage
caused last year by locusts in northern
Syria the Turkish government requires
every native to deliver ffty-1ve pounds
Of locust eggs, under penalty Of a fine.
Consul H. Albert johnson of Liege
writes that, while coal is mined at a
greater depth in Belgium than in most
countries, the number Of miners killed
in accidents Is less in that country
than in any other mining locality.
About forty different kinds Of cotton
seeds from British possessions have
been tried in test fields in Turkestan
and the Transcaspian territories with
the view Of their acclimatization.
American varieties are also to be tried.
The Chinese authorities are propos-
ing to establish an observatory some
where in Canton and to engage an
astronomer. Plans are being prepared
for its construction, and funds are
being collected for the purchase Of the
necessary apparatus.
The departments at Washington en-.
gagged in checking up Uncle Sans re-
sources have sent out letters by the
million asking for information. They
have already learned that the nation
uses annually for fuel, %fenceposts and
rails on farms something like 100000
600 cords of wood.
When members of the English
house Of lords YEA their robes their
various ranks are indicated thus: A
baron'S robe has two rows of ermine,
that Of a viscount two and a half
rows, an earl's has three rows, a mar
quis' three and a half and a dukes
robe four complete rows.
Anticipated laws prohibiting women
from forming political associations
seem to exert a depressing effect on
suffragettes in Austria. They are
forced to confine their agitation to a
series Of mild lectures, and even these
are attended by a police official, who
sees that the speakers keep within the
bounds of moderation.
1t has been discovered that the in
boiling a specimen in a solution con-
tanning a third Of it's bulk of concen-
trated or dehydrated soda for several
hours. This loOsens the mass. In one
sample nearly 300 specimens Of moss,
seeds and insects We're picked out in a
fit state to be determined.
The RAT club" at Westwell, near
Ashford, England, has been the means
Of destroying nearly 10000 of these
pests. Last year alone 4,2OS were &C.
counted for, one member having a bag
Of 1,463 and another 1,341. Prizes are
given to those who kill the most, and
In this way the village is slowly but
surely being cleared Of the rodents.
A clay model Of the first statue of a
Confederate officer to be erected at the
National Military park, Vicksburg, has
been finished at the studio Of Henry
Hudson Kitson at Quincy, a suburb Of
Boston. 1t represents Lieutenant Gen,
eral stephen Dill Lee, G. S. A., as hi
stood ut a critical moment Of the siege
Of Vicksburg in the eventful summer
Of 1863.
At Woolwich, England, very prac
teal measures have been adopted q,
the instance Of the war office to enabl,
soldiers, young and old. to acquire o.
increase their knowledge Of a trad
which viii help them to a living OF
leaving the colors. The extensive ord
nance college workshops are now be
ing used for the instruction Of soldier
In various trades.
:. France is now claiming the recor'
for depth in the bowels Of the earth