Rock Island Argus., 1913-10-18
FOREIGN NEWS

Paris An excellent idea Of what
a modern land battle is ike was
obtained during the French army ma
neuvers. when General Nicolas Cho-
mer, commanding the $4,000 men of
the southern army. did not see a regi-
ment during the FIVE days nor on the
final day OF the battle did he hear a
gun.
The generals headquarters on the
last day were in a pleasant wayside
tavern, 25 miles behind the firing
lines. which extended about the same
length. A large scale map Of the re-
gion was spread upon table, a row
Of telephones like that in a New York
brokers' ONCE was on a wall in the
dining room, the tables OF the field
telegraphers were on the other side OF
the room, and wireless instruments
cracked in an outbuilding On the
meadow adjoining military aeroplanes
arrived and departed, adjutants TAX
ing the reports of the ayiators.
Three colonels OF the stan collated
the telephone. telegraphic and wire
less reports and the airmen's observa-
tions, moving colored broad-headed
pins on the map, thus indicating from
moment 10 moment the relative posi-.
tions Of their own and the enemy's
troops.
General Chomer studied the map at
tentively. Now and then he gave an
order concerning the movement OF his
troops or discussed with his chief Of
stan the significance of the informa-
ton just received.
General Paul Pau, the commander
tn-chief OF the rival northern army,
under much the same circumstances.
sat some so miles away, sending his
brigades and divisions into action.
with no more Of the tumult OF war than
ts heard during a cable chess match.
Visitors to the prefecture Of the de-
partment OF the Seine are always
handled with gloves" for, according
20 a peculiar and ancient custom. per
mission 10 enter the projects room
cannot be obtained unless the caller
wears gloves.
As soon as a gloveless person en-
ters the reception room. the usher re-
marks: Your gloves, please?" II the
visitor replies that he has no gloves.
the Official says: Then will find you
some" He keeps a large box filed
with gloves OF every size and shade.
from which he provides the visitor
with a new pair. for which he is ex-
pected to pay the equivalent Of 80
cents.
The budget OF the prefect Of the
Seine for 1914 is estimated at an equiv.
aleut OF $4,000. 900. or 81 600, 900 more
than this year. Among the suggestions
for raising the income Is that a special
tax shall be placed on foreign resi-,
dents living in Paris. based on the ren.
tai OF their houses or apartments. The
American colony Is very strong in
Paris, and IL this recommendation
we're 70 be adopted It would affect two
or three -5usand families.
The success Of Roland Garros' re.
cent daring flight across the Mediter-
rancan sea has caused the postpone
ment of play which was shortly 20
open in one OF the Partisan theatres.
The whole plot OF the piece apparently
hinged on the impcssbility OF flying
from France 20 north Africa. which is
now shown to be easy. The Atlantic
ocean, It is stated, is 10 be substituted
FOR the Mediterranean. but this viii
entail the Encouragement OF so much
OF the play that il will not be ready
for sor1e time.
Wireless telegraphy has enabled tbs
French and American authorities tC
determine within the one-huadredti
part of a second the difference in tins
between Paris aud Washington. bu
experiments are still in progress fol
the purpose OF eliminating all errors.
The French government has sent {
commission 10 Washington TO renew
Jointly with the American officers a
Arlington the exchange Of wireless sig
nails with the Eiffel tower. II is com
posed Of Martial Simonin. an astrono
mer of the Observatory of Paris, Cap
tain A. Carrier OF the colonial infan
try. and Naval Lieutenant Gignon
Professor Henri Abraham of the Sor