The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-06-20

denominations instead of selling them
in great blocks to persons who resell
them to the public at a profit"
Events in Mexico are followed with
an almost painful interest by French
investors because hundreds Of mil
ions of dollars in French money have
been sent to Mexico. Some indication
Of the enormous losses suffered by
French finance on account Of the
troubles in Mexico may be found in
comparing the present values Of
shares in Mexican banks, which are
largely held in France. Thus:
National bank of Mexico frances,
May 1910, 1915; May 1914, 499.
Bank Of London and Mexico. francs
May 1910, 7O7; May 1914, 261.
Central Mexican bank, francs, May
1910, SIT; May 1914. $3.50.
The principal cause for the critt-
cisms of the French press of the policy
followed by the American government
toward General Huerta is in the
enormous losses which French in
v~estors nave had on account Of the
disorder in Mexico. The idea was &C
cepted more than a year ago that If
the United States should recognize
Huerta he would be able to pacify the
country. The United States is there
fore held responsible indirectly for the
disappearance from the French point
| Of view Of some hundreds Of millions
Of dollars in values belonging to the
French people.
Basil Zaharoff. who recently gave
500, 900 to organize a worthy French
representation at the Olympic games
in Berlin, is one of the most remark
able personalities in Paris. He gives
away his enormous wealth in a way
quite unknown outside America.
Born of a French father and a Greek
mother, he has always a the great
. est generation for the Hellenic race.
, Some years ago he had occasion to
seek information at the Greek Lega-
| ton in Berlin. He found the offices
small and inconvenient, quite I'M
worthy of the country to which he
owed his mother, and being a man of
prompt decisions, he at once asked
the Greek government to permit him
to provide suitable premises n in
stallations for all the Greek Lega-
tons in Europe. During the last war,
as a mark of respect n affection for
his mothers country, he paid 100000
a month to the Greek war chest as
long az the conflict lasted.
1t is to him that the Sorbonne owes
its chair of Aeronautics. One day he
presented himself at the Sorbonne
and told the janitor that he desired
to found a chair Of aeronatics, to
whom should he address himself
That official thought he was a. lunatic
and offered little encouragement
However by persisting M. zaharoft
finally got to see M. Lizard, the rector.
who listened to him with astonish-
ment and increduIity. He remarked
that the cost would be very great. How
much? Bit by bit the millionaire drag
ged from him a number of figures
Added up they amounted to $4,000
Was that all? without adding q
word, M. Zaharoff pulled out a check
book, wrote a check for h amount
stated, handed it with a bow to rect
or and quietly withdrew.
Among the more unpretentious pic
lures at the Salon of the society OF
French artists, is one that has escap-
ed much notice although its author Is
an Imperial Highness. The work is
"Lecon d'Histoire." It was painted by
Prince Abdul Medjid, son Of the Sul-
tan Abdul Aziz Of Turkey, cousin OF
the reigning one and fourth in sue
cession to the throne. Prince Abdul
Medjid, was kept in confinement dur
ing % years by Sultan Abdul Hamtd,
obtaining his release only when the
latter was dethroned. 1t was during
] this long incarceration that he took