Year: 1872

1t was recently intimated that the
German government, or the Department
OF War; had resolved to intrude into
the army the rifle invented by Herr


Mauser, of Oberndorf, in Wurtemberg
The experiments made with this weapon
had surpassed all expectation. Mean
while, however, the military authorities
continue to transform the old needle
gun until the soldiers are provided un-
iversally with weapon which is said
to be far superior to the Chassepot.
Changes are announced in the uniform
of the army, and the imperial eagle is
to be worn as an ornament throughout
the service. One other small fact is
worthy OF note as significant. The gov
ernment has determined to establish sta
tions in the frontier fortresses for car
rier-pigeons. The strong places of Col
ogne, Metz, and Strasburg are to be first
supplied a circumstance which poin is
to a belief in the probability of new
war on the western frontier of Ger
many.


The SsenerSche Zcitung alleges that all
the efforts of France to raise an army
of equal strength to that of Germany
must be fruitless. In case of new war
the reserves of the German infantry and
artillery will be sufficiently numerous
to yield temporary reinforcements Of
their branches of service by the crea-
tior of fourth, or even fifth battalions
and reserve batteries or artillery COM
panles. The creation of fourth bait.
lalons for the AS infantry regiments of
the German army would be almost prac-
ticable now, but will be matter of GER
tainty by 1874. BY 1878 at latest fifth
battalions might be called into existence,
if required. By the addition of fourth
battalions alone Germany will be able
to commence war with five and half
corps d'armee (of twenty-seven battal-
ions, or eleven infantry divisions each)
more than in the last war; The posi-
bility of such an increase cannot be
doubtful, says the Gazette, as similar in
crease was effected in 1866 with the
most perfect success.


The Sandwich Islands.


Who are to be the future inhabitants
of the Sandwich Islands is becoming a
question of considerable interest. There
is no longer any doubt as to the ut-
mate fate OF the native race, as its de-
crease is going on at a startling rate
1t is the same story there as elsewhere;
the progress of civilization is marked
by corresponding decadence of the
aborigines. The health of the adults is
generally poor, and the mortality is
very gre It, while births are very rare,
and it is said that there are whole vii.
lagos where not child can be seem
In short, in less than twenty-five years,
it is probable that Sandwich Islanders
will be as scarce as American Indians
are east of the Mississippi river. But
these islands are fruitful, possess some
commercial Importance, and must in
evitably be the home of large popula.
ton. OF what race this population will
consist is, of course. problematical but
there is some reason to suppose that it
will be the Chinese. The present non
native population of these islands con
sists of $500 Anglo-Saxons and 1,5OO
Cinnamon. The latter are devotng
themselves to agriculture, and find the
pursuit abundantly profitable. No
doubt their success will attract other
Celestials there, especially as the situa-
ton of the islands is favorable to that
purpose, and it is not improbable that
another century may witness this group
metamorphosed into another Flowery
Kingdom.