Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23

FeneQ In Geneva III Gile spring OF 1911
This was an international conference to
regulate the opium trade, and always a
student of such problems, Representa-
tive Stephen Geyer Porter, now chair
man Of the committee on foreign affairs,
and then serving his flrst term in the
House, was in attendance. Great Brit
ain and the United States have always
held opposing views on opium regula-
ton, and the Ambassador will now have
many opportunities to consult with ex-
perts like Mr.. Porter. The question is
still controversial and far from salts
factorily settled, according to the view
held by statesmen like Mr.. Porter or
churchmen like the late Bishop Brent.
Another international conference is to
be held in Geneva the coming Summer.
Mr.. Porter, who began life as doctor
and then turned to the law, has made
an intensive study of drugs and his
opinion is of paramount Importance in
interpretations rendered in these con-
ferences by representatives Of the ma
tons involved either as producers or
consumers.
Nine Christine Nilsson, the Swedish
nightingale, whose exquisite voice was
heard so frequently in Washington dur
the 1905, was, 1t will be remembered,
married more than a quarter of a CEN
fury ago to the Count GAIA de Miranda
and maintained home in London pre-
vious to her death. A fad which had
filled many empty hours after she lost
her glorious voice and inf1rmity kept
her from active pursuits was the pur-
chasing and ordering of q distinct va
riety of bric-a-brac, known in London's
art world as "tinycraft.' Many of these
treasures which had afforded Joy and
recreation to the famous diva during
her last days have recently been sold
at auction and they found generous
purchasers and from every part of the
world. There were several doll houses
almost as marvelously wrought as that
Tftania's Palace which belongs to Queen
Mary Of Britain and which has been
exhibited in all parts of the world in
the effort to gather funds for the chill
drens hospital of which the Queen is
the president. But Countess de Miriam
das clever little houses we're, II such
a thing Is possible, more completely
equipped than Titania's Palace. For in
stance, in one she has especially made
dinner and tea service of silver, the
urn about the size of walnut and the
other pieces in scale, and all as daintily
carved as for jewelry. In a doll-sized
medieval hall she had copied in minia-
ture every sort Of ancient weapon. This
unique collection brought a fabulous
price, which many regret could not
have afforded much needed comforts to
the great singer during her life. :.
\ y +
Mrs. Nicholas Brown of Newport. so
frequently a guest Of her sister, Mrs
Peter Goelet Gerry, in Washington, left
her son, young Nicholas, deep In his
archaeological studies in Greece and has
returned to her home in Newport after
a brief sojourn in Providence, where
she also maintains a handsome resi-
dence. Her friends were not surprised
that, having received q summons for
jury service in this Republics most ex-
elusive resort, she promptly accepted it
and was Immediately made the fore
man, or forewoman, as may be more
correctly stated Under the laws of
Rhode Island a woman may with i'm
punity decline to serve on juries But
not Mrs. Brown, who has q profound
conception of the civic obligations con-
ferred by suffrage and who wishes to
see the law properly observed in State
so dear to her as Is Roger Williams
Commonwealth. Many other women of
exalted social status have served on
iuries, as, for instance, Mrs. Hamilton
Fish Webster and more recently Mrs
Minnie Madden Fisk, who, according
to the critics, was getting a slant for
her play. Gentleman Of the Jury" No
matter what the motive, Mrs. Fisk rem
dered good service, and, like Mrs. Mich
olas Brown, was chosen forewoman.
Representative John Charles Linthi-
cum, in whose congressional district In
Baltimore Is situated Fort McHenry scene
of the famous Incarceration of Francis
Scott Key and the resulting ode, THE
Snan2lad 11ae
days listening to bewildering arguments
for and against making the hymn by
legislative enactment the accepted ma
tional anthem. A bale Of documents
has been delivered in Representative
Linthicum's room containing more than
100000 signatures indorsing Mr.. Keys
anthem and an appalling number of
letters have been received giving the
familiar objections-too high pitched,
words difficult to remember, mass rem
dition impossible and many others. But
what seems to be the most serious OBJ
lection has been pointed out by Repre-
sentative Emmanuel Cellsr of New
York, who has followed the controversy
with keen attention, Is that while he IA
vors the words of the Maryland bard, he
wishes If 1t be adopted and he hopes 1t
will that music by James Stafford
Smith" be eliminated. The New York
member brings forward mass of testi-
mony showing that the music was
known in the Anacreon Club of London
and was popular as a drinking song in
the mellow eighteenth century. But this
Is true of almost every national anthem.
that Of France alone being entirely
original both as to words and music, La
Marsellaise," and recognized as the re-
suit Of Rouget de Isles revolutionary
campaign in the City Of Marseilles. But
all the the British anthems are found
ed on old hymns and drinking songs,
and so, too, the cherished song Of Mr..
Keys State, Maryland, My Maryland"
Yankee Doodle" of the revolutionary