Items That Mean Much by R. M. KILGORE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 23, 1908

Items That Mean Much

By R. M. KILGORE

R. M. KILGORE

AERIAL navigation is no longer of doubtful practicability. The recent contest between several air ships created confidence in the public mind that soon success will crown the efforts of these aerial navigators. Germany carries off the prize, but an ambitious American says she shall not win in the next contest. It is now recommended to the government that a large fleet of air ships be immediately built, if we would cope successfully with other nations, in the event of war.

Aerial communication for long distances is now a well-attested fact. Without the aid of wire, press dispatches are sent from continent to continent, and rulers receive congratulations from one another across the great waters. Hundreds of stations are established in different parts of the world, from which messages by wireless telegraphy are sent with the same ease and accuracy as by the metallic connections.

The electrical writing machine, capable of writing one thousand words a minute, is already announced. This ingenious contribution to the wonders of this electrical age is received with more credit than was the launching of Robert Fulton's steamboat.

Within the past few weeks the finances of our country have been shaken as by an earthquake. A panic was threatened, confidence shaken, credit impaired; depositors ran for their treasures, banks were alarmed. Some closed their doors, and some of the officers, rather than meet the “run” shot themselves; but the tide for the time is turned, and the commercial world moves on as before.

While the commercial world is in commotion, the physical world is agitated by earthquakes and seaquakes in various parts of the earth, destroying hundreds of lives. It is officially reported that twenty-eight towns and villages are badly damaged, and thirty-two less seriously damaged, while a landslide which followed the earthquake at Karatagh, buried alive a large portion of its inhabitants.

The assassination of a high official in Russia, by a tender and delicate young lady causes terror in imperial circles. One investigation leads to the discovery of several accomplices, and a plot for the destruction of the czar himself.

The New Orleans Times Democrat, commenting on this state of affairs, says: ‘A body politic must be corrupt to the marrow, when women of gentle breeding use the revolver, the knife, or the dynamite bomb. No despotism on earth can hope to withstand forces so vital, except for the moment. . . . So far as Russia is concerned, there seems to be but one question, How long can the lid be kept on the huge caldron? Sooner or later, there must be an upheaval that will shake Russia and the whole of Continental Europe besides.’

Graysville, Tenn.