The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-21

was his bluff, for Italy would accept the gift without hesitation. The republican government must devise some means to check the revolt, for already there are too many signs of 8 general crumbling 10 pieces in France, which, if not dealt with in time, will bring about tremendous smash
 Among the patriots who are warning the government against continuing a rad ical anti-clerical policy none Is better like qualities than NJ Paul Adam. Al though he is man of very advanced political views, M. Adams, in an article just published in La Revue Hebdoma- daire," claims that France has lost i'm measureably because of her anti-clerical tion, her energies have been devoted to warning against the priests- And the re- suit is less in every way, not merely less in character and virility, but absolute material loss. It Is notorious that the $200, GOO, ,00O expected as the result of wind ing up the estates of the religious socie- ties dwindled to as many thousands, thanks to Duez and those who assisted him in his liquidation
 Our old friends, the Futurists, who, in the name of new and virie art, want to pull down every statue, burn every pic ture and in particular, to throw all the buildings of Venice into the lagoon, are 'manifesting" again. Signor F. T. Ma rinette, their leader, issues fresh decla- ration addressed this time to dramatists His main principles for the writing of plays are contempt for audiences and loathing for success All drama must be modern. Modern drama must express the great Futurist drama, which is thus ex- plained by our high-strung. contemporary viz, Life with its speed on earth, OH water, and in the air, dominate by steam and electricity.''
 attempt photographic psychology, but an intoxicating synthesis of life in its signif1- cant and typical developments" He urges upon the authors of intoxicating synthe- sies' that they must not expect to get rich, and denounces the idea of getting rich as the obsession which preys upon modern dramatists. Finally, Signor Ma rinetti inveighs against the monstrous habit of .clapping and cheering in thea tres: we mean" he adds, Ito teach au- thors and actors the voluptousness of being missed This peculiarly ecstatic joy he has himself. he tells us. often tasted with delight: T have the great satisfaction of knowing that my genius, frequently booed and hissed by the audi ences of France and Italy, runs no risk of ever being buried beneath dull and heavy plaudits. This personal touch ap- pears to be the most really philosophical part of the Futurist philosophy.
 A novel educational scheme for making the masses of the people acquainted with the literature of all countries Is about to be carried out in Brussels.
 A central library consisting at the out set of 10000 choice volumes, is to be ere ated in Brussels, and any inhabitant of any part of Belgium owning a savings bank book will be entitled to borrow from 1t and receive by mail any book for period of two weeks on checking cents off his savings bank book at the post office, his money at the bank serving as guarantee for payment for books not re- turned AS there are about 15,O00 post offices, in Belgium this will amount to the creation of a circulating library with 1500 branches, whose risks will be more than covered by the deposits in the saw ings banks.
 Americans who deplore the prevalence of official red tape in Washington may find some consolation in knowing thav we are much worse off here in France. The government department in which the tape Is most prominent is undoubtedly the navy, where M. Delcasse is trying his utmost to do away with it. The following little incident will show that the minister was justified when he said the other day that red tape threatens the safety of the republic, Some time ago the navy yard at Toufon needed two ordinary sauce- pans for the galley of a submarine. After making the need officially known, after using reams of paper and pints of ink the order was given to a certain manufactur- CT to supply the two saucepans, which must fulfill number of specified require ments. It was particularly. emphasized that the bottom of the cooking vessels must be of the very frsttquality and ex- ceptionally stsong. The factory made the saucepans and special commission of technical experts was ordered to examine them, which 1t did most thoroughly. there upon the pans we're sent, with a long re- port, to the chemical laboratory of the navy department, which was to test the metal. of the bottom of the pans The chemists scraped the bottoms very care fully and the pans were returned to the