INTERESTING NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 263, 28 July 1915, Page 2

INTERESTING NEWS.

WOODROW WILSON WEIGHED—AND FOUND WANTING. Wliat do Frenchmen think of Dr. Woodrow Wilson as ruler of a State They read of the American President seclud.ng himself in his study lor 3 days to ponder over the situation,and they say: If Gabriele d’Annuinsio had addressed poems and discourses from Paris, instead of going to Genoa and to Rome, he would not have aroused Italy. If Venezelos had published pamphlets instead of taking part in the Ring iCoijAahiqne would 'pc thinking more of his relationship with William 11. than the interests of his subjects. Nor was it good for man to be alone. In the affairs of the world there is no infallibility. “Omnis homo mendax.”. M. Poincaire as his xninistres. The Roman Pontiff at his college of Cardinals; the Generaly of Jesuits his Council. No great case is tried by a single judge in French Law Courts. There is wisdom in counsel. From Richeliem to our day, French statesmen have ever kept their finger on the pulse of things. A ruler does not make up his mind from maxims drawn from treatises of philosophy, but from close, burning contact with the sentiments and interests of his people. STINKPOTS OF THE HUNS. The German Press has evidently been ordered to maintain a discreet silence regarding the use of poisongas in warfare, but indications that this chivalrous form of combat have long been contemplated as part of the German plan of campaign are increasing. A copy of a German newspaper, published about the time when the first “gassing” atrocities were reported, has just reached me. It contains a paragraph tracing the history of the use cf fumes and stenches in war, and • accurately describing the ingredients of the Chinese “stinkpots” —apparently the fir§t implements used in this kind of fighting. The paragraph closes with a, statement —obviously based on correct information, in the light of later developments —that the world is destined to see more of this method of warfare. The “Berlin Tagcblatt” some days ago published an article not only justifying the use of gases, on the patently mendabious pretext that the English' wei*e already using them, but taunting the British authorities on their inability to compete with the expert German chemists, whose science and skill would enable them to pro- | •dupe prisons of exceptional virulence. Since then the German General Staff has apparently thought it best to drop the subject. S A SAFE AND SNUG CITYTh e hopes of Parisians have been greatlyl raised by the good news from the front. The women-folk were terribly depressed when they heard of the tortures caused by the noxious gases, but now they know that their men are protected. Letters from the front tell of the joy of German prisoners on being taken The French could make i short work of them, but to kill in cold j blood is repugnant to their notions of warfare. Life in Paris is gradually assuming its old shape. The motor ’bus will reappear in a few days, and the cafes are to be allowed to remain j open till 10 p.m. Zeppelins and Tauhes seem to be everywhere except over Paris. The “look-out” makes it too dangerous for them. The other night the police warned “lights out,” but no one was troubled. The Zeppelin sighted at Compiegne -felt it wise to turn back. Quite a cluster of French aeroplanes like bright moving stars,, might be seen in swift pursuit, Parisians flocked out of doors to see the sight. In a word, the French capital is a safe and siiug place to live in,

THE POET AS PATRIOT Before leaving Paris for Genoa Gabriele d’Annunzio, the great Italian poet, sent four magnificent “Sonnets d’Amour pour la France” to his friend, Alfred Capus, "for publication in the' “Figaro,” on the morning of the great patriotic celebration at Quarto, and he added: “At the same hour w e shall be allies.” On the evening of the same day the “Temps” consecrated three of its columns to the poet’s inspiring discourse, printed in big type. Since then the name of Gabriele d’Annunzio has been exalted in every organ of the Paris Press. Thus do those who pursue an ideal with fixed purpose sometimes achieve greatness. The silhouette of d’Annunzio is familiar to us all. As a poet he was admired by many of his countrymen, and caricatured by the rest. He had much the same experience in France, his plays and his poems being fruitful themes for discussion His extraordinary erudition and wealth of French mediaeval imagery were almost resented by critics as the presumption of a “conceited Italian.” The poet’s triumph is complete. He is the High Priest who has blessed the union of France and Italy. His word, more puisshnt than chancelleries, has electrified his,country. The King endorses it, and with pride. d’Annunzio has become a historical figure, 1 ’• ■—