Middletown transcript., 1914-01-03


ever, possibly made SO by the Balkan
wars.
There have been some few spats be-
tween France and Germany, but moth
ing in any way approaching breach
OF diplomatic relations. The falling of
a couple of German war balloons on
French territory created some little
excitement, as did the mobbing of
some German subjects by French citi-
zens in border towns. France, as well
as the United States, underwent a
presidential election in 1918, placing a
very democratic and a very diplomatic
person in the office Of chief executive
President Poincare.
In the FAR East.
In the far east several things of mo-
ment occurred in 1913, among them
the Chinese rebellion and establish
ment of republic, and in Japan the
death Of the Mikado and the success
sion of his son and the anti-American
demonstrations and riots as a result
Of the adoption of the anti-alien land
owning law in California.
In the realm of science and explora.
ton there have been but few develop
ments that could positively be desig-
mated as history-creating.
The discovery of the south pole and
the disaster to the Scott expedition
both occurred in 1912, although the
fate of Captain Scott was not made
known to the world until 1918. Dr.
friedrich Franz Friedman, discover
or of "cure" for tuberculosis, made
his appearance in 1918, but the value
of DIR. Friedmann's cure" and other
cures" for that dread disease an
nounced at about the same time, are
very much openNto doubt. Great strides
have undoubtedly been made in the
treatment of cancer, but no positive
cure has yet been discovered, although
much has been learned about the value
of radium.
Aviation is progressing rapidly.
Much attention to aeronautics has
been paid by the. various European
governments from a military stand
point, but no means of making aero
planning anywhere near safe have yet
been discovered. France has organized
and trained military aviation corps
that would unquestionably be of great
value in case of war, and Germany
has devoted much time and money to
dirigible ballooning. The United
States has spent some $4,000 during
the year in military experiments in
aviation
The number of deaths resulting from
aviation has not been especially large
Aviators have died, just as aviators
died in 1912. and Germany suffered a
number of disastrous accidents to Zep-
pelin dirigible balloons. Many of the
accidents of aeroplanes resulted, from
fancy exhibition flying and military
experiments. The year 1913 saw the
first aeroplane fight over the Panama
canal
On the Panama Canal.
In Panama great developments have
taken place October 10 last saw the
dynamiting of Gamboa dixie, being the
removal of practically the last serious
obstruction in the big ditch The ca
nal is now almost completed, so far as
a trans-continental waterway is con
cerned, although not yet prepared for
the passage of steamers from ocean to
ocean. Work has also been begun on
the buildings and grounds for the great
Panama-Pacifc International exposi-
n h. -,
1915, as celebration of the formal
opening of the Panama canal In this
connection it may be mentioned some
slight international i'll feeling may
have been caused by the refusal of me |
British and German government to
participate officially in the San Fran:
cisco exposition. German AID Eng
lish merchants, however, will AXE part
on their own accounts.
The United States may congratulate
itself that, barring the case of Hans
Schmidt, the New York priest, there
have been few gruesome and startling
murders during the year.
New York state furnished the most
sensational bit Of local politics Of the
year in the impeachment and removal
of Gov. William Sulzer, followed by
Suffers nomination by Progressives
and election to the state assembly.
In the world of sports the United
States still stands supreme In addi-
tion to humbling the British polo cup
the United States further
shocked Johnny Bull when Francis
Ouimet, the youthful golf wonder,
walked away from the English experts
in the national open golf championship
at Brookline, Mass. and by the win
ming Of the international Davis tennis
cup. Americas supremacy in sports
was further recognized during the year
when King Gustave of Sweden pre-
sented the American athletes with the
medals and trophies won at the Olym-
pic games in Stockholm in 1912. The
sporting world suffered a shock. how
ever, when it was learned that Jim
Thorpe, the famous Carlisle Indian
athlete really belonged in the olassi-
1cauon of professional" He volun-
tarily renounced the trophies he had
won as an amateur in the Olympic
games.
Here are the leading events of the
year:
Disasters, Fires, Floods.
Floods in Ohio. many killed. much
and great damage done.
Floods in the Mississippi valley as a
result of Ohio floods.
Tornado destroys part of Omaha,
Neo.
Zeppelin Lr2 exploded October 7.
twenty killed
Gas explosion near Pittsburgh kills