The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1912-05-09

the San francisco Normal school, az
ter examining the pupils asks the
question, "Are our American schools
preparing Roman citizens, ninety
per cent Of the students examined had
given correct answers regarding the
Roman political insurgent, Cassius.
Few knew anything Of the political
American Insurgent, LaFolle.tee. They
knew nothing about many other char /
acters as important in this republic, in
.J.s:. as ever Caius Cassius was in
ancient Rome.
Prof Burk then conducted a state
wide examination of high school stud
ents t test their knowledge Of current
events. The following are some of
the answers received:
| Brcoker T. Washington, the assassin
OF L coin.
Diaz, an early Portuguese explorer.
LaFollette. the governor Of California
Cha rles oarum, one of the plotters
..neen Of St.its'
SaIluel !: lpers, who Is PRESIDENT of
the American FEEDER atio': Q. Labor is
given as "the king of democrats, mem
ber of congress" DR.. Burk has de-
ciled that hereafter students in the
San francisco Normal school will be
examined in questions having vital
bearing upon life liberty and the pur-
Is To-, H. -
or state.
The state course of study of Idaho
very wisely demands the teaching of
current events.
Current events are a valuable help
in teaching, because they give life and
vitality to the work. They give men,
tai alertness and interest. The pupil
, feels that he is dealing with live things
Many things have happened within
the past few months that can be cor
related nicely with geography. Suppose
we are studying Asia. Some time ago
Persia asked cur state department to
recommend an American who would be
able to take charge of Persia's finan-
cial affairs and put them on modern
business like basis. The state deps
ment recommended w. Morgan Shustel
He tried to collect unpaid taxes on
the property Of rebel against the
government. Some Russian officers
had their headquarters on this estate.
when Mr.. Shuster ordered the estate
sold the Russian officers protest an
grily. The Russian government took
it up. Russia demanded that Shuster re
sign. Russian soldiers marched into
northern Persia and took possession of
that part of the country The Amer
, lean treasurer general was dismissed,
Persia apclogized and many of her
peaceful inhabitants were murdered by
the Russian soldiers. Russia now &C.
cupies northern Persia Russia has
simply played her old game, provoked
! a quarrel about nothing and then
seized the territory.
Heretofore Great Britain has always
: stood in the way of Russia's south
ward march to the Indian ocean. Eng
land has narrowly escaped war with
Germany however, therefore she
, stand silent while strong nations steal
from weak ones.
Russia has demanded the independ-
ence of Mongolia under Russian pro-
lection. From this to complete Rus
sian control is but step. Mongolia
is half as large as the United States
This will give Russia half of Asia and
will bring her to the gates of Pekin.
She will then have only a narrow strip
Of country to cross until she will have
an outlet to the yellow sea- In con-
nection with this the teachers should
give the pupils an idea of Russian gov
eminent They will readily see that
it is cause for deep regret for RI
STA to secure new territory, over
which to extend her pernicicus sys.
tenn of government.
She is an enemy to the progress of
human liberty and free institutions.
Current Events Furnishes Splendid Ma
terial for Narration
Events have moved rapidly in China
within the last few months. DIR.
Sun Vat Sen, who was first elected
president, is rare man of wonderful
genius. He is responsible for the sud
den conversion of China to democratic
ideas. Sixteen years ago, little band
of revolutionists, CT whom he was one
tried to seize the city of Canton. They
were all captured and executed except
ing DIR. Sun Vat Sen. He escaped tc
Hong Kong, which is British territory
and was there naturalized as a Brit
ish subject. Later he lectured in Eng
land He was enticed into the Chinese
legation, and was told that by Internal
ional law he was on bit of Chinese
territory and would be sent back t