The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-23
From, Other Pens
THE FRENCH TEMPERAMENT.

THE FRENCH TEMPERAMENT.
Ever since the French government
determined upon the extension of
compulsory military service from
three to four years the patriotic peo-
pie OF that country Lave been virtual
ly In ferment. Joseph Caillaux.
skilled in finance and shrewd in pol,
tiles, has been the storm center OF tho
cyclonic politics Of Trance for the
last five or SIX years, and his wife's
reckless action in killing CASTOR Cal
mette. editor OF Figaro, has made
him the most famous. or notorious.
man in all the republic. French tenn
permanent IL offered as the explana.
ton OF Caillaux's recent election to
the chamber OF deputies. although q
few weeks previously he had been ex-
ecrated as the betrayer of the honor
Of France. Aobs had gathered in
the streets to denounce him. Out
side the cemetery where sCalmette
was buried there was a demonstra-
ton which threatened to end in the
lynching Of Caillaux. And now he IL
elected by q large majority to the
chamber of deputies. where he may
again become the leader Of the gov
ernment's forces. Frenchmen are 20
whimsical. 80 changeable, 30 hot one
minute. 10 cold the next! But are
the French people much different
from our own? Two rather common
American girls shoot q millionaire,
and after a trial and acquittal In
court, they are engaged at high SAL
airy in vaudeville. The wife Of q IA
nous slayer becomes the star witness
at the murder trial, and bares her
own shame 30 e.oquently that she II
Immediately engaged a. . tango
dancer. An American governor 10
impeached and the people hail him
as a hero and return him to the leg
islature. Human nature IL much the
same the world over. 1t would be
better probably II the world had q
virtue for virtues sake and deplored
vice becauce CT its inherent evil The
world, however. loves boldneas,
whether exhibited in the strokes Of Q
Rembrandt: tho power Of nature in
her mountains end her canyons; the
reckless bravery Of q bandit; the
stark daring Of a custer. or even the
broad and defiant political courage Of
a Caillaux.-Washington Post.
30
WE EAT TOO MUCH MEAT.
The curtailment In The consump-
ton of meat by the people Of the
United States resulting from high
prices may not in the end prove to
be an unmixed evil. A diet too large
ly composed Of beef. pork or mutton
Is not considered heAlthful Many
ailments that afflict the human fam
lily are pretty cOnclustvely traced to
carnivorous living. With the excep-
ton Of the people Of Australia and
Argentina, who ct cheap NEST from
their great herds CO cattle ana sheep.
the Americans are credited with the
lArgeet per capita consumption Of
meats. In Australia ard Argentina
$50 pounds and in the United states
10 pounds per inhabitant per an
mum 10 the present estimated rate
The British. who are the largest meat
eaters in Europe, consume . little 1eAs
than 100 pounds per annum. It may
in the end turn out that Z permanent
reduction in the cost Of living may
result from the larger consumption Of
meat. II the meat rate and the death
rate shall be concufrently cut down
what has been esteemed q ereat de-
privation may prove q blessing In dis
gulse.-Philad Record.