The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-08

tllS N1stI Has materially d1ueu the plans of France by openly expressing the opin- ion that 1t is time the Turco-Italian wa were ended and inthnated a desire to support Italian interests during peace ne- gotiations. Small wonder that the diplo- matic outlook is considered most promis- ing in France and that the conntxys diplomatic successes abroad are exerthg a most beneficial influence on conditions at home.
 An interesting invention. a propeller sledge, is about to be tested in the Sa- hara. The results alreacy obtained have been so successful that 1t promises, in it's perfected form. to supersede the cam el and the aeroplane as a means of rapid transport across the desert.
 The idea originated with Corporal Me chanic Cros. of the Military Aviation cen tre at Bisl1ra, in Algeria, in the form of sledge driven by a 50 horsepower aero plane motor, capable of carrying three persons and of traveling easily over sand dunes with a gradient of 1 in at a speed of 12 to 20 miles an hour. The original idea of Corporal Cros was to construct sledge to convey aeroplanes in the des- ert across the sand dunes of the Grand Erg, which had hitherto been impossible to every vehicle, whether the traction was mechanical animal.
 It has proved so successful, however, that it is a question whether 1t will not prove means of rapid communication across the Sahara. The use of the aero plane across the desert after two years of labor, has not passed out of the ex- perimental stage The preliminary experi- ments made with the propeller-sledg will be continued, and the officers of the avia- tion center at Bislira propose to improve it by the use of lifting planes, which will enable it to clear obstacles just as a hen clears a hedge.
 Pierre Loti, the famous French novelist writing in Les Annales Politiques ct Litteraires," describes the palace and gar dens of the Mikado at Tolkio. He tells of the extraordinary simplicity of the rooms built of white wood and papered with white without design, which is so clean that it would seem that man had never put hand on 1t. Through the narrow cor riders the novelist and his party walked slowly. until they came upon wizened old lady dressed in the Japanese court cos- tune of 300 years ago. Then other ladies came, and the novelist finally recognized two he had danced with in Paris. but whom he has hitherto only seen in Euro pean dresses.
 Through the palace and it's monotonous white rooms they walk until they come upon the royal gardens, and of these the IOAtif6l WTIcS. We are nlRn uD dOnf- hating the reality of velvet lawns. strange rocks, little streams spanned by semi-cir- euar bridges, waters which sumber among the foliage, quiet avenues which lost themselves among the trees Here and there are patches of silver bamboo and red maple, and some bushes I can not name, but of which the foliage is a delicate violet. Dominating all these de- liciously artificial things, stretches hori- % If 4.I suggests forests and wild country. There is a peculiar calm in these gardens. a su- preme melancholy, augmented today by the late autumn atmosphere. These gar dens are very beautiful at this time of day They have some suggestion of magic which permeates the dewy mist of twilight. illuminated by deep contrasts of vivid light and shadow"
 The proposed diction class at the Conservatoire has raised a controversy In which a considerable number of eminent authorities are taking part. N. Jules Truffier, societaire of the Comedie Franchise, says that diction Is an aristocratic art. all the rest being accessory; and 1t Is disappearing. be- cause no one will take the pains to acquire 1t. M. Mounet- -sully is not so pessimistic, and Is of opinion that the class will lead to excellent results. M Jules Claretie is sceptical. Long experi- ence has destroyed all his illusions Madame Sarah Bernhardt, as usual, is clear and emphatic. She writes: "Jf you start a class of diction there is no reason why you should not have one for pronunciation. for delivery, for de- pertinent, etc. The duty of the profess sor is to teach all that to his pupils Diction almost always Is a natural gift Bartet. Rejane. Granier. Guiltry and le grand Coquelin had an admirable diction from the beginning of their careers. In a word, since you want my oplonon. 1t Is this; a diction class Is absolutely useless. Voila!'
 Aviation in the French army is un- dergoing a complete reorganization and extension and before long 1t will sur pass in importance of number and ca- pacity the organization of all other continental powers combined. Colonel Hirschauer, the present chief of the aviation branch of the service, recently submitted scheme to the minister of war who has just given 1t his official approval. The scheme provides for three grand aviation sections with headquar- ters at Versailles. Rheims and Lyons, each to be commanded by a colonel, assisted by a lieutenant colonel and other officers. Each group or section will have a certain number of aviation grounds. hangars and repair sheds, and will be divided into eight administra- tive departments. The national sub scription which has now reached 5,000,- 900 francs and the sum voted by the chamber and senate will soon enable the French army to have 125 aero planes in constant service, but this