The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-31
.UN|ON|STS LIKE
 ID MAKE TROUBLE United States Usurps Island
 From England SLANG IN LONDON
Sir Arthur Wilson, Just Celebrated Seventieth Birthday, Has Seen Much Service in Navy-Mys-
 terious Dishes at Dinner
By PAUL LAMBETH .


 London, March SO.-tSpecial )-The un- onists in parliament are keenly alive 10 anything which may serve to embarrass the government, except, of course, when aon1e great outside question like the trouble with Germany comes up, when party lines disappear.
 Hence when the report became current that the United States had sent Warship to take possession of a little island in the Pacific which England had once claimed, it was certain an effort would be made in the house of commons to make capital of it.
 Mr George Lloyd, M. P who has little use for his inverted namesake, the chan cellor of the exohequer, was the man put up to ask the question.
 'Whether the foreign secretary has any information leading him to believe that the Island of Palmyra has been annexed by the United States; whether this island was British and administered by a British deputy commissioner, and what steps he intends taking to protect British inter- ests." MT. F. D. Acland under secretary for foreign affairs, explained that Brit ish protectorate over that island was de- clared in 1889 ins connection with the Pa cific cable. A survey was made in 1S97 when another island was found to be more suitable for the purposes of a landing station, Palmyra was therefore aban- doned The government has taken no further interest in the matter.
 "But,' persisted MT. Lloyd, twill the government get information as to the au- thentcity of the rumor?' We shall no doubt hear in due course" observed the minister.
 Has the island any value?" interposed a liberal member slyly. 'I cannot deny that the island has a value,' said MT. Ac- land, because it was once sold for dol lar; nor can I deny that 1t Is inhabited but I think 1t is by crabs.''
 Then this momentous incident" went up in a roar of laughter.
 American slang is capturing London with a rush. Everywhere you go new and strange words fall upon your ears. Some body brings a new slang word across the Atlantic, uses ii casually and with one ac- cord we seize upon it and talk 1t into inn mediate popularity. I may say the combi- nation of English accent and American slang would make a brass monkey laugh.
 Somehow we cannot manufacture slang expressions like the American can. ''1 don't think" Is the only London phrase that has made good in the states for years past.
 That has, of course, long gone out of date over here. and no one has yet been able to string few irresistibly catchy words together to take it's place.
 England, In fact, badly wants a few new catch phrases and Is importing them.
 
 The order for a new battle cruiser which forms part of the 1911-12 naval programme has been given to Messrs John Brown of Clydebank. The new ship will be the largest war vessel yet laid down, dispac- ing 30,O0o tons and developing s7,000 horse power. though 100000 horse power Is ex- pected to be obtained when she undergoes her trials. Her speed is to be 30 knots. Her battery will be of unprecedented power, consisting of eight 15 inch guns, each firing 20oo pound projectile, and F six inch weapons.
 During his nearly So years in the navy Sir Arthur Knyvet Wilson, who has just celebrated his roth birthday and gone on the retired list, has seen a good deal Of service. As lad he was more accus- toned to handle the dirk than the pen, for at the age of 12 he was serving as mid shipman on board the Algiers. At 16 he was present at the capture of the Pei-ho forts, and landed with the naval brigade at the attack on Canton He had ad- vanced to the rank of captain of the Hecia by the time of the Egyptian war and played his part in the bombardment Of Alexandria. He was a conspicuous fig ure in the Soudan, for, going inland with the naval brigade, he fought with extra ordinary bravery at the battle of Fl reb. Here it. was that he gained the Victoria Cross. Sir Redvers Butler was an eye witness of an act of remarkable gallantry on the then Captain Wilson's part. and often spoke of it as the bravest deed he ever saw. The British square was mo- mentarly giving way, leaving a sap through which half dozen of the enemy were making a dash. Captain Wilson sprang at them and laid abouf him with such lusty vigor that his sword snapped. Thereupon he accomplished a wonderful performance He hit out right and left with His fists, knocking the enemy over like ninepins. The heroic stand of the of ficer gave the troops time to rally in the corner of the square. The officers of the Vernon presented Captain Wilson with a sword of honor fin admiration of his gal lantry at the battle of Fl Teb.
 There were some mysterious dishes at the annual dinner of the Birmingham Undeby Brythoniaid on St. David's day. Among the items on the menu were poras cenin, cawl hufenaidd, brith-bysq a saws siw jar moldiog. and amheuthyn CymreiS. Nevertheless the members had very en- ioyable evening. After partaking of "Gwlawadar ar fara cras' they sang with great gusto "Gwlad. Gwladl pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad." The lord mayor, who was present at the function. appeared to be greatly interested in the proceedings, especially when a Welsh gentleman rose to propose 'lwnedestyn, Cymric Fin Gwlad," (the toast. Wales our nation)
 People are still wondering why Earl Car rngton took the title of Marquis of Lin colnshire." seeing that his lordship never takes any part in the life of that country and does not even reside there. But the fact is that his lordship is the owner ot a small estate. the parih of Humberstone. in Lincolnshire. and on the 2Ioo acres which he owns has carried out some quite remarkable experiments in small holdings. Lord Lincolnshires experiments are we'll worthy of being better known, for Hum herstone Is, perhaps. the only parish in England where everyone Is contented and where there are no poor Ten years ago Lord Darlington made a return of the estate and found that in that year no less