The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-04
ZEAL FOR COPY
 JARS RELATIONS
Between the French and Ger
 man Governments
ALL ABOUT AERoLANES
Barronne de Vaughan Is Scarcely to Re Blamed for Marrying so soon After
 the Death of King Leopold of Belgian

Paris. September 3.-(SpeeiaL)-Franeo- German relations have been so smooth of late that even the possibility of a meeting between the Kaiser and tie French president is contemplated. Every thing seemed 10 be going along nicely until the appearance of an unfortunate article in the strassburger Post.
 No doubt the Matn in starting the aeroplane competition was moved to some extent by patriotic considerations. The Chauvinism of Paris has certainly been aroused by the prodigious success of French aviators Imprudently and reek- lessly the Strassburger Post recommended the German military authorities to pot any French aeroplane seen lowering over the fortresses of Metz.
 It is as easy for the Germans to bring down an airship as it is for a sportsman to bag pheasant. Debates in the French senate this year showed, that, while France was unprotected with offensive weapons against aerial locomotion, the Germans were fully provided.
 This is all very well. but we are not rpgaged in war. and the Germans have ao inclination that way for the present
 
 mercilessly slated by his own confreres for what is not only a crime but a '.fault.' As far as French opinion goes. st is too exutant over results to care rap. The journalists make the most of the incident, naturally. Just now the great thing is copy"
 The Baronne de Vaughan is scarcely to be blamed for marrying so soon after the death of King Leopold of Belgium. Her lot has not beep altogether agree lble during the last few months.
 For her problems M. Durieux was the Ideal solution. She is 27, he is 50. He acted as her steward for some time, and Rll her affairs were in his hands, great friendship has long existed be- tween them. The marriage ceremony was conducted with the utmost privacy. The question of the two children has been most carefully considered. A morganatic union Is a legitimate union, and the is sue is legitimate. The youngest Counts of Tervueren and Ranenstein, If lawful sons of the late monarch deserve better fate than that of adoption by an elderly French boufgeos but their fu- ture fate still remains a deep secret. Per haps the Baronne, now that she has changed her name. may think the time opportune for making a statement It would save a world of complications in the years to come.
 It is reported from Macon that the gov ernment inspector, M. Couanon, has be- gun his official investigation as to the condition of the wine growing district, and has visited by automobile several of the communes. The result so far ascer P1-- f1nI year is almost totally lost. Only in very rare instances. will a half, or a third. or a fourth, of the usual crop be gath cred. M. Couanon fears that if the bad weather continues, and the vine-growers abandon their farms. as is now happen ing in many parts, next years crop will be seriously compromised.
 The government inspector is accompa- nied by M. Simyan and M. Simonet of the chamber of deputies.
 I have Just returned from short trip to Monte Carlo, where I went, not to tempt the goddess of fortune at the green table, but to witness the entry of the famous little principality of Monaco, among the democratic states of the world l went there to witness the first political elections an event which attracted very little attention in the rest of the world. ] dare say that I was the only news paper man present, but I enjoyed my ex- perience immensely. It is not every day you have the opportunity of being pres ent at the birth of freedom.
 The inhabitants catered into the polit- ical game with the greatest enthusiasm, voted early and as often as the free and easy watchers at the polling booths would let them, and when the election was over and the results announced through a megaphone, which was literally heard all over the country, not one dissenting voice was heard; everybody was happy, for every adult had been elected to fill some office.
 The story of the people of Monaco for political liberty has been short, but in teresting.
 Some months ago Monaco suddenly woke up in the morning with a thirst for A parliamentary government and marched In an army, several score strong, upon the princes consenting to receive a depu- tation, to whom he said. in substances 'sIf you want to elect each other to some lining, by all means do'
 The monegasques accordingly eelcted each other to a body henceforth to be called the communical council. They went through all the proper formalities con- voking meetings and speaking The body electorate succeeded with praiseworthy enterprise in dividing itself into four or