The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-07
FRANCE FOR PEACE;
 NOT AFRAID OF WAR A Future War Will Be Ac-
 cepted With Confidence .PEKING-PARIS FLIGHT
Probably Be Made This Summer-To Confer Noble Prize on Maeter- linck-Rodin Wishes to Es-
 tablish a Museum
By GEORGE DuFREsNE

firm a partisan of peace as she has been all these years, but she is not afraid Of war Time was when the idea of the pos sibility of an outbreak of hostilities with the puissant neghbor on the eastern frontier created a feeling akin to trepi- dation among the population; but all that Is over now. If such a war is ever to come, it will be accepted with resignation but also with confidence. Such is the effect of the serious crisis which caused so much anxiety throughout the civilized world in the latter half of 1911.
 The decision of the German government to increase the imperial army IS naturally the subject of a good deal of comment and speculation on this side of the porder, and naturally, different views are ex- pressed on the matter. General Bonnal, than whom no higher authority on mili- tary questions exists in this country, has just given his opinion, and 1t Is both clear and eminently reassuring. The gal lant officer begins with the argument that as Frances eastern frontier Is of limited extent, and as even, if the neutrality of Belgium and Switzerland were violated, 1t would not exceed 1S0 miles, 100000 men would suffice to cover it. And this mil lion France possesses. Behind this force there would be number of reservists, al- mostfequal in fact, to the German army, SIS the increase that has been decided on would not make so great a difference after all
 General Bonnal says that the import ance thus paid to mere numbers is a surviva of the terrible year, when the French had often to fight at the rate of Granted that the Germans have their plan, the French have their plan, too. They will have enough men. Their rail- ways will be busy all the time and even if the French could send 50,000 more men into the field they would do well not to yield to such a temptation. They have something better than mere numbers. Without speaking of their aviators, their commanders are admirably trained and fit, and their "cadres' are superior to those of any other nation in Europe There is a close union between officers and troops "Go to Germany and see the gulf that separates the officer from his men, and yau will return full of confidence in our companies and our regiments"
 No, France need not be disconcerted at the ''fole du nombre' which prevails in Germany, and which only serves to illus trate the frame of mind in official quar- ters They feel that war is approach ing, and perhaps they even desire it. under the impression that accounts must be settled once and for all.
 The new aviation chief Colonel Hrs- cbauer. is already making his plans for | the future of the birds of war which | shall be entrusted to his care. It is sug- gested that one of these days all the | aeroplanes scattered through France will | be grouped and concentrated in the east, not far from the frontier It is also hint ed that the aeronautic services will be t,.. tOI t.. -l. commandant of an army corps will have at his disposal number of aeroplanes. Aviation is to be separated from balloon ing proper. The aviators will be formed into a distinct service; the aeronauts will also have their separate department, though, of course, aeroplanes and air ships will be able to work together.
 Much interest has been aroused by the proposed aeroplane flight from Picking to Paris. The contest will take place this year-probably in August. According to present arrangements, the itinerary will be from Picking, Kjarbine, Irkutsk, Tomek, Venice, Genoa, Marseilles, Lyons and Paris The contest will be confined to the French firms who construct aeroplanes. Each firm will have the right to enter three aeroplanes, and each aeroplane will be piloted by two aviators. The Matin will give prizes amounting to s4O,0O0O. These will only be given to those aviators who will have completed the journey. If, however, to competitor fulills the condi- tons of the contest-that is to say after leaving Peking no one Is able to reach Paris, for some fault or other-a prize of S100o0 will be given to the aviator who reaches Europe first.
 To mark the presentation of the Nobel prize for literature to M Maeterlincl, the Belgian author, there will be an inter- esting gathering in Brussels this month, to which several notable French authors and artists will be invited, because France naturally shares with Belgium the honor which has been done to the French lan- guage in comforting the literature prize on the author of ''The Blue Bird"
 The feature of the fete will be a gala performance at the Theatre de la Mon naie in the Belgian capital, to which the royal family and the notabilities in liter ature and art will be invited. Mime. Georg- cite Leblanc Maeterlnck, wife of the Belgian poet, will organize remarkable cast for "Pelleas and Melisande," and Mme. Bartet, from the Comedie Fran csise, will read a few pages from the Life of the Bees Maeterlinck, who hates publicity and show of any kind, will make an exception on this occasion and attend the performance. This will be the first public appearance that the illus trious writer has ever made in his own country.
 Rodin wishes 10 establish a museum of his works at the Hotel Biron, and he of- fers the contents to the state. The only payment he desires is to end his days in peace in his tranquil abode Here was established until recently. monastic school. The government has now acquidel the building and the famous sculptor fears for nis tendency. more especially as De Max, the actor. has been refused the right to inztaII himself in the chapel But doubtless the authorities will make an exception for ths modern Michael Angelo.
 For q years Rodin has been working continuously among his marbles and the number of his works Is immense. He un- restrictedly offers those not disposed of to the state to form center Of instruc- ton. My work Is almost done" he says. His latest bnst is of Clemenceau, and he has caught the strenuous expression of this most strenuous man. The master hopes the beautiful hotel will not be turned into government offices; the frame is not suited to such picture, he thinks, and indeed, the spacious shady grounds with their souvenirs, seem to merit some less utilitarian end,
 One reason why there are not sufficient model dwellings in Paris to meet the
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