Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-11-03
FIFTY YEARS AGO In THE STAR

to some suitable point nearer the
boundary of the city. The aldermen
did well in settling this question def
aibie for Observation-Disclosures
the position taken by the city upon
a question so vitality affecting Its In
terests. The common council will. We
presume. act with equal promptness
ing"
Seismic disturbances were excep-
tionally frequent fifty years ago-so ,
common, in fact, that
EARTHQUAKES apprehension was
felt in many parts or
T1e4ueAt. the world. The Star
of October rs. 1868, commenting on
the matter, said:
''The earthquake visitation mas
reached Ireland. Shocks were felt in
Cork county on Monday. but the cable
does not mention how severe they
were or what damage was done. The
shock of an earthquake was felt in
San Francisco at midnight MONDAY
Recently there were several shocks IN
Virginia, and from the Pacific ocean
every arrival brings fresh accounts OF
disasters. Altogether things seem 70
be very unsettled COW II Delo" as "Sh
as on top of the earth's crust. and we
may well doubt the stability OF mum
dane affairs when not day passes
without a CONFUSION in some quarter
of the globe. We do not know now
long we are to escape such VISTA
ton, as, according to newspaper &C
counts. Washington badly needs shak-
ing up. If things go on at this rate
scientific men will have to CONSIDER
the feasibility of tapping the volca.
noes in order to let out the imprisoned
gases, which, it is said, cause all the
trouble"
Washington's deficiency in school,
house equipment fifty years ago is IL
Illustrated by an
School Housas item in The Star
of October %.
Badly Needed. 1865. telling of
the presentation at a late meeting OF
the board of common council or Pc
tition from the citizens of the second
school distict for the erection OF
schoolhouse in their vicinity. The pc
tition set forth that there is a part
of the city between the canal and the
Northern Liberties and I'd and ath
streets which is destitute OF pubic
schools, and that there are residing
within that district a large NUMBER
of children of suitable age to attend
public schools Tor whom there are no
school accommodations except at Such
distances as to render ii lmpracticaoie
for parents to send smaller children
during the Indictment season OF WIN
ter
Apprehensions of war in Europe be-
came steadily more acute fifty years
ago, and ii was
pruss;or yuor recognized TIL
eventually a con-
Preparations. hict would ensue
between Prussia and France. In The
Star of October 80, 1868. is this item:
Prussia still fears that war with
France is inevitable and is looking
in every direction for allies. Bis
marck. it is reported, has been en-
deavoring to induce the Emperor OF
Russia to renew the secret treaty or
alliance with Prussia signed at Bres-
lau in 1860. Alexander, however.
while expressing his friendly inten-
tion. declined to bind himself by
treaty. Prussia meanwhile is making
every effort to strengthen her MILL
tary forces. The number OF the cav.
airy regiments is to be increased, and
fourteen new batteries are to be add
ed to the horse artillery. Gen. Won
Moltke who has just returned from
a tour of inspection among the Rhine
fortresSeS, is about to make similar
tour in North Schleswig; and the south
German military conference, now In
session. of which Gen. Boyer. late or
the Prussian army, is member, 10
expected to arrange for the more d.
rect and efficacious control or PRUSSIA
over the troops of south Germany