The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-04-21
GOSSIP IN LONDON
From the London Times

An instance of the good feeling which exists between unionist Ulster and na- tionallst Munster is supplied by letter which the Dunmurry County Antrim Working guilds have received from the Rev. F. Gleason, Roman Catholic chap lain to the Second battalion Munster Flu siliers. thanking them for gifts of woolen garments and other comforts. The chap lain writes: tThe warm woolens of the north were greatly valued by the warm hearts of the south Three ringing cheers Tor yourselves and Captain Fitzpatrick brought the joyful distribution to a close. From what I know and have seen after three months of this war I am driven to the conclusion that a sea-submerged and forgotten Ireland would be infinitely pre- ferable to an Ireland with it's brave sons tfrom north and south) tearing one an- other to pieces in bloody and un-Chrstian strife. May God inspire and strengthen the leaders of all Irish opinions to settle their national differences without the un- rtterably sad resort of force and arms"
 Belgian officer, during a brief holiday from the trenches on the Yser front, told Daily Express representative that the buttons on the coats of all the German soldiers recently captured by the Belgians are made of bone instead of copper, while the time fuses of German shells are now exclusively made of aluminium.
 Private George Gallon, who is serving in the trenches at La Bassee, writing to his sister in Leeds, says: We had four kip f,r hr..o f1. l. Germans started to shell us while they were cooking. One shell hit the front of the trench and filled the fryingg pan ful, of dirt. So we had 10 scrape the kippers before eating them, but they were quite all right"
 An Austrian officer taken prisoner by the Servians was hignIy indignant be- cause he was carried to prison in an OK cart-the usual mode of conveyance in servia. He pompously declared: .when you have the honor of taking an Aus trian officer prisoner you should at once escort him to headquarters in a motor car.' The Servian replied: We have that honor many times. but we haven't so many motor cars"
 The following telegram has been re. ceived from Berlin
 Discussing the German hatred of Eng land, the Frankfurter zeitung, in it's issue of February P, says:
 What sense is there in German pro fessors declaring that they will no longer collaborate with this or that scientific institution in England? Science and art have always tha possession of civilized peoples and does not one injure ones own people and it's science by sitting on the stool of isolation and by breaking off scientific intercourse?
 For months we have experienced all sorts of wonderful letter headings and forms of salutation and similar things which are fundamentally un-German, in asmuch as they are copied from Gallic theatricality. While hymns of hate may spring from genuine internal excitement salutations such as the celebrated God punish England" are not only fundamen- tally tasteless and histrionic. but are quite ridiculous, because they propagate a spirit, even though only superficially. which is not compatible with the future cooperation of peoples which, neverthe- less, must come to pass again at some time.
 We are deep in war and We have to col lect all our strength to beat our enemies. and especially to subdue our most dan- gerous enemy, England! but after the war must follow peace which shall render possible calm and assured work. This work must be performed in conjunction with Qthal. naonlez urho terminate, who will renew their inter- course with us as we shall with them. The war now has been proceeding for seven months. and the end is not yet in sight. But the passions with which it is being waged require purification, since, happily, times of peace are continuous and times of war are only interruptions Reuter-.
 There many signs of returning life in Paris. Flags fluttering on shop fronts in the fresh March winds seem to express a new sort of courage, courage in con sonance with the communiques. A wave of optimism has submerged the town. IL is apparent in the gay colored walls invit- ing to amusement; it is apparent, also, ir conversation. The man from the trenches speaks convincingly of the ap- preaching end, and the cafe strategist makes haste to agree, with the air of T told you so!' The war will end much quicker than was thought, say both the forces are too great to be long resisted. Official information encourages these hopes, and so the world goes more read- fly to the restaurant where fancy bread proclaims triumphant civilization. But the theatres still wait for custom. Around them rages controversy. Is it seemly to enjoy oneself, or should one refrain. out of deference for the neighbor and for those who fight? The question is not merely one of personal taste but is re- lated to economies. If the theatres are closed, how is the artist to live? But the argument, however spacious, lacks gen. eral acceptation.
 At a charity concert the other day a popular actress was hissed because she danced few steps of the tango. It was not in tune with the popular mood In- deed, the war has killed the tango, and prudish Paris rejoices. Congratulation comes from those who like dressmakers, suffer from it's virtual prohibitions; they profess to find comfort in an improved taste.