The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-08-26

MI. AAboSllulSI, having DSSH pOAlL and educated in Russia, keeps in close touch with it. Although he has been 8 citizen of the United States for several years, no one understands present. day conditions in his native land, per- haps, better than he. While he real izes tbc fact that it will take time to stabilize Russian democracy, the re- birth, he says, will be all the more thorough. The peasants will have the land which formerly belonged to the aristocracy. Other reforms will affect the orthodox church, and in fG- ture all denominations will be toi- crated. And in MT. Altschuler's esti- mation one of the greatest changes will be in the character of Russian music. Heretofore" he observed, Russian composers have felt con- strained to write in minor key, but already that is a thing of the past, and in the only important composition that has come from Russia since the revolution-'The Hymn of New Rus sia'-composed by Gretschaninoff, the is bri rrb+ oxJ major key, and is a veritable prom ises of the Russia that is in the mak- ing, and of the Russia that is to be-" The distinguished conductor is right in welcoming the musical de- parture of Russia, but the minor key should not become "a thing of the past" in string quartets and large orchestral work. Some of Altschu- ler's finest achievements as inter- preter have been in Tschaikowsky's beautiful music. Maybe the inter- viewer did not quote him fully nor &C., curately.
 New York man suggests that Bel gtum change her language to English, her flag to the French flag, with the Amer ican eagle in the center, and the name of her capital to Wilson" That's the way the Germans try to apply kultur It won't work
 Two rival organizations of dancing masters are holding sessions in New York and the remarks they make about each unkind.
 The satisfaction of former exiles to Si- beria is incomplete. The deposed Czar travelled there comfortably on train. He wasn't chained and driven like a dumb brute.
 Maybe one reason why the Japanese commissioners are being received with so much cordiality is the fact that they are not over here for loan.
 
 Those Germans who don't conceal their satisfaction at being captured seem to for get that 1t may be a long time before they see the Kaiser again.
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 This game of ''Ill resign if you will" is a poor one to play, because the fellow who suggests 1t is usually the one who ought to be kicked out
  Another adnirer says our soldiers must be called "Sampsons." They would prob ably vote that suggestion down without | dissenting voice.
 Speaking of Uncle Sam's mighty bank roll, he's pealing off about $24, ,0OO, 900 a day and isn't making much fuss about it. either. The recruit who promises his best girl a Prussian helmet as a souvenir of war Is going to make good in the trenches.
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 A near-poet would much rather dash off 3 sonnet to Uncle sam's troops than try to make himself useful
 
 The New York papers are now calling him Herr Hearst. The mayoralty cam paign Is warming up
 There seems to be something in the at- mosphere of Texas that makes negro sol diers run amuck
 At last way has been found to utilize the fighting spirit of Breathitt county. Kentucky.
 Old King Coal was a merry old soul, but now he's as glum as can be.
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 It begins to look as if Verdun has been made safe for democracy.
  SMITH CENTER HAS "COMPANY. From the Smith County (Kans.) Pioneer. That thrill you felt Tuesday evening