The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-23
FRANCE NOLONGER FEARS ENGLAND Entente Cordiale Is Again
 Established MANY OPIUM TENDS French Ports Are Full of Devotees of the Pipe-The Story of
 St. Martins
 Head

DIs MdTIlH
 Head
 Paris. April 22.-srecial) )-The uneasi- ness caused by the frank utterance ot the English minister of foreign affairs that England has no obligations towards France beyond those contained in the convention of 1901, which threatened to make the old feeling of distrust burst into flames again. has subsided and the general opinion is now that the entente eordale stands just where it did and France British relations will continue tc be excellent as long as the terms of tha, convention are faithfully adhered to.
 According to the general impression that document gave England a free hand
 in Egypt and France free hand in Mo rocco. A tendency has been suspected on the part of England to regret her part in the arrangements and I notice of late a certain irritation in this respect. Oi course, if the basis of the entente cor diale weakens the building will begin to totter. Happily there is no cause for alarm. Like the common law of England, the real entente cordiale is unwritten. It is none the less valuable on that account. The two nations must stand together. The advantage of the union in the last seven years has been immeasurable. The English and the French have grown ae- customed to each ether. They may have their bckerings from time to time, but in the solution of great international problems they will always be found to- gether, and the fact that both will in a short time conclude arbitration treaties with the United States will undoubtedly tend to unite them even closer.
 Have we not heard a thousand times of the want of ceremony at the court of Fallieres, of the more than republican simplicity, of the strange ''cohue" which frequents the receptions? Statements of the sort must be set down to prejudice. of course; there is even another side to the shield which represents a censor presiding over the costumes of the 'n- vites." It is the "Cri de Paris" which Is responsible for this story. A brilliant of icer. with his wife, presented himself al the loor of the presidential palace at the last ball Imagining that dress played very little part in the hospitality of the chief of the state. the officer had advised his spouse to wear a petit "decollete.' Judge of his annoyance at being stopped by the 'husser' at the gate.
 'Impossible,' said he, "to enter with costume so "neglige. But he added, Madame will be attended by the official dressmaker of the Elysee.'
 A moment later, scissors and an adriot needle were converting the corsage into a full decollete. Whilst this transforma- tion was being effected the dressmaker observed to the involuntary client:
 Madame. Louis XIV had four tailors who daily looked over his wardrobe"
 Even offended dignity could not but be modified at the reference to the "roi soleil."
 M. Georges Clemenceau in a new role; it seems impossible, Has not this re- markable man played a dozen parts, on ife's stage with distinction. beginning with that of a doctor and eliminating in that of prime minister? Yet there is an- other reserved for him; that of librettist In a few days the Opera Comique will stage ''Le Coile du Donheur," which, written years ago by the statesman is today turned into an opera. A Chinese mandarin, restored to sight by an opera ton. is so shocked at the falsity of his friends, particularly of his wife and children, that he puts out his eyes. Here is subject for Shakespeare. The ex- prime minister treats 1t in the play. at all events, with rare philosophy and an irony of which he is past master.
 In spite of all rules and regulations opium eating still works havoc in French naval ports. Toulon is full of dens. and nearly every woman of the demi monde is slave to the habit.
 Young officers on leave shore too, often take to opium. One of the foremost deni-mondaines of Touion is called ''Bresque Reine,r after the name of a once famous play, because she is sup posed to have been a friend of son of the late King of Cambodia.
 young naval sub-lieutenant, only pro- noted to his rank six months ago. and but A years of age, the son of a distn- grished captain in the service, was found dead in his rooms at Toulon a few days ago. He had shot himself through the heart. He was a confirmed opium eater. Quantities of the drug were found in his rooms, with the usual collection of pipes.
 Various letters were found on his table addressed to his friends and relatives. and one to 'Bresque Reine'' herself which ran:
 Don't be sorry; only just think some times of the little officer of 20 who pre- ferred death to parting from thee. Many long kisses. They will give me strength to overcome the nervousness I feel when facing brutal death.''
 It was proved that the young officer t,oI lraA ,,;x lz~ fore committing suicide. and the drug had evidently driven him mad. The naval and police authorities have taken re- peated measures to stamp out the opium dens of Toulon. but apparently SO far without the slightest effect.
 There is an abundance of phantasy and mystery in the story of the head of St. Martin, a precious relic that, until re- gently was the pride of the church of Soudeilles. in the Correze. The head was twice sent to Paris to figure in in- ternational exhibitions as a specimen of French art, when the state took over the property of the church the bust passed into the possession of the commune, but the minister of fine arts declined to allow the relic to be sold, in spite of the oppo- stion of the local authorities, who seemed to think that the money would be more useful to them than the enam- elled head of a saint. It was at this stage that an inspector attached to the ministry of fine arts went down to Sou deilles last autumn. and on examining the head, carefully locked up In a strong box in the church, he declared 1t to be a forgery.
 No one could say what had become of the original of the saint. Then, a month or so later, Brussels dealer purchased