The Washington herald., 1912-12-29
Events of Vast Importance and Worldwide Inter
est Followed Each Other in Rapid Succession in
Past Twelve Months Revolt Probably
Most Significant in World-interest. -

New York, Dec. 2S--Much notable his
tory was written in the year of 1872
events of vast Importance and Of world
wide interest followed each other in the
quick march Of the past twelve months.
The most significant of these, doubt
less, was the revolt of the Balkan
states against the Turkish Empire, which
put an end to the Sultan's ancient su-
premacy in Eastern Europe. The sudden
rise of the minor states, which COM
prised the Balkan allies, is one OF the
marvels Of the age. No less mirac-
ulous was the swift and decisive way in
which they swept the Turks across the
plains of Thrace and forced them back
to the banks of the Dardanelles.
The fortunes of this war caused the
whole world to wonder. The very map
Of Europe was changed from day to day.
Especially has this war brought into
significant power of the states of Servia
and Bulgaria, and given them an i'm
portant voice in the diplomatic forum
of Europe.
The most grievous occurrence of the
year, especially to America was the
sinking of the Titanic, on April IA. The
with over 1900 people, was the greatest
marine tragedy of all time.
Greatest of Disasters.
1t was not only the multitude of vic
Tins that made the catastrophe so over
whelmingly sad, but the character and
Importance of many of those who sunk
the appalling figure being 1873
In the middle of the night, while thu
ship was flashing with myriads of bril-
liant lights and the great vessel was
ringing with music and laughter, the
Titanic ran head-on into a gigantic ice
berg while going at the rate of over thir-
ty miles an hour.
Death seemed to reign in the air. S
well as on the water, during the year
1912.
The number of airmen who lost their
lives was unprecedented. And one Amer
lean woman is numbered among the vic
Tins. Miss Quimby, who fell into the
ocean from the height OF a thousand
feet. The year claimed thirty airmen,
bringing the total of all up TO 2l7.
The year marked some improvement in
the hydro-aeroplane. but on the whole,
the science of flying did not progress to
any material degree.
In this year of the most numerous air
disasters, it is quite significant that
death should claim, by sickness. the
man who invented the first practical
flying craft-Wilbur Wright
The great American inventor passed
away at his home in Dayton, Ohio, and
was given one of the most notable fu-
nerals in the history OF tne city.
Political Upheavals.
In the political realm the year 1912
witnessed many remarkable things. Per
haps the most significant was the COM
pletion of the overthrow of the Manchu
dynasty in China and the installation
of the Chinese republic, with DR.. Sun,
d Harvard graduate, as President.
In America, of course, the most i'm
portant political event was the over
whelming defeat of the Republican par
~, and the return of the Democratic
party to power, after sixteen years, with
Woodrow Wilson as the new President.
An interesting feature Of the political
movements in this country was the birth
of the Progressive party, with former
President Theodore Roosevelt as its god
father.
The year 1872 also witnessed the dis
coVery of the south pole, by Capt. Ron