Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-01

during his recent visit to Switzerland,
appears to have found sympathetic
reception of his idea for the economic
and political alliance among the small
States of western Europe. He is so
enthusiastic over the matter that he
is actively at work in furtherance of
the idea and hopes that eventually
Holland, Denmark, Switzerland, Lux
embourg, Sweden and Norway may
be brought together with Belgium in
the alliance.
1t is understood that King Albert
sees no practicability in the sugges-
ton of a defensive alliance along mill
tary lines, as the countries concerned
are widely separated geographically
and weak in military forces, even
when taken collectively. But he be-
lieves that some understanding for
common commercial and economic
aims would be of advantage to offset
the commercial aggression practised
Ivy some of the great powers.
The course which Germany has
taken in cutting off Holland from
much of the trade of eastern Europe
by the new canal connecting Emden
with the Rhine is taken as one in
stance of such economic pressure
Switzerland is said to suffer particu-
larly under the shadow of Germany's
business rivalry.
King Albert also recently ap-
Rroached the government of Luxem-
Sirg with his proposal, but he has
Been informed that as the principally
is a member of the German Customs
Union, 1t is not free to enter into any
economic arrangement with other
countries.
PARIS, Aug. 1.-The proposal to
erect a monument to aviations first
martyr the legendary Icarus, at
Gambia, in the Island OF Crete, has
been revived. The idea first originat-
ed with Henry Deutsch, the eminent
pioneer of aviation in France, after a
visit to Greece three years ago. The
spot chosen is above the city Of Cam
dia, between the two promontories
, which dominate Kuossos.
There, according to the legend,
stood the labyrinth where Daedalus
and Icarus were imprisoned by Minos
the Tyrant of Crete, and visitors are
shown the workshop in which the two
captives, to escape, made the first
flying machine of birds wings stuck
together with wax. Now that Crete
has become again Greek territory,
nothing stands in the way Of the real
ization of this scheme, which would
commemorate at once one of the
greatest victories of modern science,
and one of the most graceful fables
of ancient mythology.
An air race from Paris to Gambia is
being considered as a fitting compile
ment of the inauguration ceremonies.
The first of the new perforated
nickel coins have Just been struck at
the Paris mint, under the supervision
of the designer, Henri Lindauer, and
from now on no more copper money
will be minted. The passing of the
traditional sou will, however, be slow.
The new nickels will not be placed
into circulation for several months,
and then only in small quantities, to
replace the copper coins, which will
be gradually withdrawn. Newspaper
humorists are deriving much fun out
of the hole in the middle of the new
five-centimes pieces. 1t is asked
whether they will be worn on string
round the neck, like Chinese cash.
and il so, whether thoughtful gov
eminent will provide the necessary
string
LIVERPOOL, Aug. 1.-The living
quarters and food to which the Brit
stitute disgrace to civilization, ac-
cording to DIR. Herbert Williams,
medical officer of the port of London,
who spoke at the recent sanitary con-
gress here.
"What would be said" declared DR..
williams, 'if any sanitary authority
ashore permitted to be inhabited a
house of two rooms built of imper-
yious materials, each lighted by three
immovable windows seven inches
square, and each inhabited by eight
men, with fourteen square feet OF free
space available for each man? Fur
thermore, picture the room heated
by a cheap stove, usually broken,
with the chimney passing through
the only available ventilator. Yet
seamen live for many weeks under
such conditions. 1t is an accepted
fact that men living under unhealthy
conditions degenerate physically and
morally"
All other speakers declared the food
on merchant ships to be unfit to eat.
and, with the vile and overcrowded
forecastles, self-respecting men were
forced out of the service. The SEND
ing of consumptive men to sea with
a view to cure also increase the dan
gers of disease breeding quarters.
4
delegate. proposed to make the ques-
ton an International one. as the evil
is worldwide. Yet the British
standard of marine fare, he said, is
the lowest of any country.
A new wheat with five parents and
inheriting the virtues of each of them
is the latest triumph of Professor
Rowland Biffen, of Cambridge Uni
versity. 1t is a peculiarly hardy de-
yelopment, growing from three to
three and half feet in height, stout
of straw and also good for milling,
and is especially adapted for the ex-
posed Fen country. This new wheat
will be put on the market next year.
There are several other wheat and
barleys to Professor Biffen's credit at
The Cambridge farm this year. One
of these is wheat crossed between
the Red Fife and the old English
wheat known as Browick. 1t is an
exceedingly heavy cropper and an ex-
cellent grain.
BERLIN, Aug. 1.-Dr. Won Beth
mann Hollweg, the imperial chancel-
Tor. has now held that position five
years, to the confusion of many
prophets. The approaching resigna-
ton or dismissal of the Philosopher
of Hohenfinow," as he is called, has
been many times predicted since the
Emperor called upon him to take the
place of Prince Won Buelow, but these
predictions have regularly been upset,
and there Is today no indication that
the chancellor does not possess the
full confidence of the ruler.
Won Bethmann Hollweg has been