The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-08
CAR INTERESTED
IN REORGANIZATION
Of the Russian Army and Navy
Forces
WHEAT CROP ABUNDANT
nemarkabie Trick of Card Sharp
In Moscow Has Been Revealed.
Lovers Crowd Pensioners
From Church

ST. Petersburg, May 7.-(Special THE
Car is taking an active personal in
terest In the reorganization of the Rus
sian army and navy. All the plans of the
committee of defence are placed before
his majesty and are gone over in detail
by him. He makes frequent changes
and alterations in the plans suggested
ano is showing an aptitude for organza-
ton which is amazing.
1t is stated on high auth GRITTY that the
Car is firmly convinced that a great
European war is certain within the next
few years which will fix the relations
between the great powers for genera
ton. Such a clash. he believes, must
come before the dream which led him to
call the first Hague peace conference can
become reality. He is determined that
when the test comes Russia will be in a
state of preparedness and will be able
to play her part and make sure of her
position. He holds himself more or less
responsible for the disaster which over
took Russian armies in the late war
with Japan in that he permitted him.
self to be deceived as to the state of
Preparedness of Russia and Japan. He
does not intend to repeat the mistake.
AS | pointed out in a previous letter
Russia is to have thoroughly ap-to-date
air fleet. The war department, with the
personal approval of the Car, has asked
for bids for a fleet of dirigibles which in
number and size and speed will be fully
equal to that of Germany 1t is said
that private contract has already been
made with the Wright brothers for a
number of aeroplanes.
The Russian wheat crop promises to
be abundant this year There is a great
increase In the area sown, varying from
SIS per cent In the 70 districts known
as the Russian governments to II per
cent in the southern steppes, and to 40
per cent in the central Asiatic district,
over the area under wheat last year. All
tho indications point to an abundant
harvest, and this, combined with the in
creased area, means record yield. Last
years crop, despite the poor harvest
yielded 5,500,o00 tons of wheat. The Rou-
nanian crop is also in fine shape, with
all increase of 10 per cent in the acre
age.
The remarkable trick of a Moscow
cardsharper. who for 30 years past has
played for high stakes in the chief clubs.
has been revealed. He has made a full
confession. Explaining that his eyes
were weak, he invariably wore dark
spectacles in the evening. He generally
took part In a game called bank" in
which the Fights and mines of each suit
are the chief cards In his waistcoat
pocket he kept preparation of phosphor-
GUS, and by touching the backs of the
cards which he wished to make he rem
dered them slightly luminous. By means
of his card spectacles he recognized them
whereas nothing was apparent to the
other players After a few deals he
would play with absolute certainty, and,
OF course. won large sums.
The course of true love, running smooth
ly has placed the rector and church war
dens of Widford charming rural viii
lage within easy walking distance of the
county town of Essex, in a rather I'M
usual difficulty. 1t seems that counting
couples are in the habit of walking from
Chelmsford to Widford on Sunday even
irgs, and they flock into the church in
such numbers that the regular congre-
cation Is crowded out. In consequence,
the church officials are at loss to know
what to do. They cannot very we'll ex-
clrde Edwin and Angelina, as they ar
rive, arm in arm; yet, on the other hand.
Widford parshioners find the pews occu-
pied when they put in an appearance.
Years ago 1t used to be the custom to
separate the sexes in Widford church,
the men sitting on one side of the build
ing and the women on the other side. The
readoption of this old plan has been
limited at but 1t Is thought hardly likely
that such a course will have to be re-
sorted to in order to deal with the pres
ent situation.