The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-13
WAR ECHOES
From the New York Times.

| From the New York Times
 1 H. G. Wells, in a dispatch to the World expresses firm belief in the great i'm portance of the aeroplane as an imple- ment of war, and deep regret that the Germans, in spite of their faith in Zep- pelins, are better provided with the smaller and more agile machines than are either the English or the French The result is, he says. that the German armies have better eyes than the allies. and to this more than to their size he ascribes the efficiency of the Teutonic forces.
 That being his opinion. 1t is not sur prising that he urges the immediate build ing of great number of the best aero planes, but what is rather unexpected, is that man of MT. Wells well known views should suggest the granting of knighthood to every aviator who, not confining his activities to mere scouting. succeeds in destroying a hostile airship He defends his plea fairly well, however, by saying that if this were done people would be reminded that titles were orig inally bestowed as reward for true pub
 
 knight instead of suggesting, as now, party worker or a provincial mayor, would become again a real honorific. And such conflicts in the air as MT. Wells foresees are well within the realm of probability. Men bold enough to un- dertake them, in spite of their terrible risks, could be found easily enough, and as he says, single combats between avia- tors, watched by opposing armies, would which the knights of old earned distinc- ton.
 Cleveland Plain Dealer: A perennial cause of European discomfort is the gov erning of people without their consent and against their will Boundaries have been drawn arbitrarily and often unjustly. People alien-to the governing race have been compelled, by sheer force, to submit to government in which they have small participation and no sympathy
 The result is that many European na- tions have constant incipient rebellions within their borders. They are points of weakness, sore spots on the national body, but pride forbids amputation.
 Poland is perhaps the most glarinr in- justice of the European map. Divided arbitrarily century ago among Prussia, Russia and Austria. the Poles have re- fused to be amalgamated, and are always inspired by hope of freedom and na- tiona1 regeneration. It is possible that from the present war will come a new and united Poland. not an independent kingdom, but land possessing a satis- factory degree of autonomy.
 The case of Ireland Is most familiar The Irish, a race separate from the Eng fish, have consistently been denied the home rule to which they believe them selves entitled. and have, therefore, looked upon the English as their enemies. The home rule law soon to be enacted will grant a satisfying measure of self government and should heal the most se- rious ailment of the British empire.
 In addition tS the Prussian Poles Ger many has two sore spots The Danes of Schleswig. taken by conquest in 1864, have never been reconciled while the people of Alsace-Lorraine have been held only bv the force of military repression.
 Russia has adopted similar repressive measures in Finland, which is theoretf- cally an independent nation under the Russian crown; while in Georgia charac- teristic Russian methods have deprived a liberty loving nation of it's guaranteed rights.
 Austria, of course, is the most glaring present day example of an artificial state. SlavE of many varieties are in n state of constant discontent. praying al- ways for disaster to the government which denies them rights to which they believe themselves entitled. Hungary. until 1t gained it's present status of equal ity with Austria, was also . continual menace to Hapsburg stability. In addi-