Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 February 1919 — Page 3

OLDEST CITY IN BELGIUM

TOURNAI, the oldest city in Belgium, once the capital of the Merovingian kings, is truly a city of romance, whether we think of the tomb of Childeric, the father of Clovis, with its wonderful treasures, discovered after being lost to sight for nearly 1,200 years, or of the poor, deluded youth, Perkin Warbeck, the tool of the Yorkists, and through thejn brought to an ignominious death, says a writer in Sjmere. For us in England perhaps Its primary interest centers in its being the birthplace of Perkin, whose reul name was Pierce Osbeck. This strange impostor was the son of a simple Flemish weaver. Made a puppet of by some of the Yorkist party, including Margaret of York, dowager duchess of Burgundy, to personate Richard Duke of York, whom they declared had not been murdered in the Tower with his brother, but had escaped and been concealed, only awaiting an opportunity to declare his royal birth, he succeeded for a time in exciting a formidable revolt against the king, Henry VII. After many strange adventures and much ill success, in spite of the recognition of his claims by the kings of Scotland and France, Perkin, finding Jhimself insufficiently supported in his sorry fraud and realizing that he “had not the heart of a king,” but only “the heart of a weaver’s son,” made confession of his imposture and was imprisoned in the Tower. Soon after, on nttemptrng tb escape, he was hanged at Tyburn, finishing with a rope round his neck instead of the promised crown upon his head. Tomb of Childeric. An interest wholly different from this passing futile deception, however romantic some of its circumstances may have heen, attaches to Tournai when we think of it as the seat of the Merovingian kings. In 1653 some workmen, whilst digging foundation? lor a hospital, came upon a collection of gold ornaments, a sword mounted

■with gold, some remains of human bones and a gold signet ring bearing the inscription, “Childirici.” Here was the key to dlscovefy, for the presence of the ring led experts to consider that this was the burial place of Childeric, king of the Salian Franks, whose capital was at Tournai, and who died in 481. This conjecture was further strengthened by an examination of the different objects, which were of such fine workmanship that they could only have been wrought for some! great chief or royal personage. The hilt and scabbard of the 'sword were mounted with gold, enriched with a mosaic of garnets and other precious stones held in gold clofsons. Gold, ornaments in the form of bees, and having the wings outlined with an inlay of garnets set* in gold, and also a small votive object in the form of a thill's head, with the solar disk on the forehead, recalling Mycenean examples, formed part of the treasure, and on the ring bearing the king’s name was engraved the head .of a man with the long, straight hair worn by the Merovingians, and with the* gold torque or collar round his. neck. Perhaps fhis was meant for a Representation, as near as might be, of Childeric. -—: ——— - This rare treasuije, after changing hands two or three times, eventually found Its way to the Cabinet des Medailies, Paris. In 1831 thieves, in an evil hour, broke in and stole almost the whole of it, leaving behind them only the mounting of the sword, two golden bees,a fibula and a few stray ifriigments. <

The Grand Place and Cathedral.

The Pont des Trous Over the Escaut.

The golden bees had been discovered in considerable numbers, and -were thought to have decorated the royal robes, and it is interesting to recall that Napoleon, ever entering into the spirit of historical display, chose this decoration for his coronation robes. Has Beautiful Buildings. Tournai claims to be the oldtist of the* cities of Belgium, and is cerjaigjy one of the most interesting and most picturesque, and contains a large number of beautiful buildings. There has always been great sympathy between the peopleofTournai and the French, and much intercourse between the town and Lille, just ucross th e frontier. In the Grande place stands a statue of the Princess d’Epinoy, wl.o distinguished herself in the defense of Tournai against Alexandro Farnese in 1581. She fought in full armor and saved the town by her energy and courage. The beautiful cathedral is one of the finest examples of the Romanesque type of architecture, and challenges comparison with the splendid churches of northern France.

CANNOT RANK AS DIPLOMAT

General Smuts Disqualified Himself by His Unseemly Employment of Plain Language. The language of the law is the most formal in the world and the most precise. It seeks the definite so ardently that, with its repetitions and whereases, it confuses its own message and only that rather perverted form of intellect, the legal mind, can wind through its labyrinthine verbiage. The language of diplomacy, borrowing something of formality from the law, Is nevertheless far more dignified. The law deals merely with estates and private contracts. It decrees the fate of the individual. But the fate of nations may hang on the phraseology of diplomacy. Its greater importance has

imparted to its diction greater dignity. And the purpose of words in diplomatic exchanges being to conceal thought, as Talleyrand said, the language of chancelleries is far more liquid. It must fit the cast of the particular die into which it is poured. So we must conclude that General Smuts is hot a diplomat. He has not the diplomatic method of expression. When the general met a diplomat, trained in the school of Metternich, to discuss informally a separate peace with Austria, he put the question of such a peace squarely to the beribboned, bestarred representative. There was hesitation and equivocation. “Gbod-riight I” was the getieral’s exclamation as he left the confused diplomat. General Smuts may not wear shirt sleeves in diplomatic councils, but this use of the vernacular shows that his verbiage at least takes its coat f'he acid touch of a bit of slang put an end to the prolonged ambiguities and deceits of which diplomacy is so fond.

His Retort.

“You should work for something besides money.” “ •Jf_yon_ mention something besides, money that my grocer and Coal man will take, I’ll be glad to work for IL»

Mutual Help.

“I understand from what your wife say* you help each other with the house bills.” « • , “Sure we do. She handg me the bills and I foot them.”

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

FORGET ALL CARES

Pearl Divers Have No Thought for the Morrow. During the Brief Fishing Season They Make Much Money and Spend It With the Most Reckless Prodigality. The Paumotu islands —sometimes called “gold mines” of the eastern Pacific—present a weird and picturesque scene during the season for pearl fishing. From August On come the natives from the surrounding islands to dive for pearls in the calm, waters of the lagoon-thrown open for the purpose. Witmn the narrow strip of sand which surrounds the fishing ground are huddled 3,000 or more, in a mushroom city, sheltered beneath corrugated iron or thatched huts. It Is a motley company. •; —; There are Paumotu divers, bronzed sea gods—who, with their ancestors have been for ages masters of the deep and conquerors of the shark in his own native element. The diver is the center of solicitude for the buyer and trader. He is the indispensable object of the moving picture man who, has hastily built his theater of corrugated iron where he dispenses amusement at metropolitan prices. It is the diver who spends his earnings riding in the wheezy motorcar which the owner operates along a half-mile of sandy beach. It is his earnings which attract a host of others.

In his habits of spending his earnings the Paumotu diver is much like the American prospector and miner of the days of gold strikes and boom mining—eamps. —In the days of his prosperity nothing is too good for him. He buys the choicest of foods and tinned goods. He is proud of the appearance of his women folk and lavishes on them silks, satins, laces Chinese shawls, high-heeled shoes, picture hats and corsets, the last a recent discovery. All of these thingb the trader thoughtfully has provided. Sunday is an Easter parade, and a performance at the picture theater like an evening at the opera. In no “golden horseshoe” in the world are more observant or critical eyes, and woe betide the Paumotu belle who fancies she can attend two of these functions clad in the same costume without being subject to scornful comment. A good diver during the season will bring up several tons of shells which recompense him well. The diver takes no thought for the morrow. He and his wife bask in affluence and enjoyment. He spends as fast as he earns. When December comes and the fishing season is over they return to their little atoll and the simple life with nothing remaining for his months of tolLbut some soiled finery, the memorv of a good time and the anticipation of a repetition of their pleasure the next year.

Test Fish Preparation.

Testing of the most practical methods of preparing various fishery products has recently been carried out in the bureau of fisheries’ experimental kitchen in Washington. Among the fish experimented with were butterfish, frozen tulHbee, croakers, bluefish, spot, bowfin, whiting, catfish, squeteague, carp and gizzard shad. Particular attention was given to carp and gizzard shad, as each possesses characteristics when prepared by the tmifll methods which tend to lessen its attractiveness to the housewife. Other products tested were fish butter, canned black drum, buck roe, dehydrated squid and dehydrated fish chowder. Since the closing of the demonstration work on the west, coast, the demonstrators have beeq working with the California state fish commission on some publications Intended to increase the use of fish and fishery products. It now appears that it will be possible to renew the demonstrations in the near future, and it is probable that the first will be given at Stockton.

Business Man’s Lunch.

We hear a good deal about the foresight and planning power of housewives, but how hbout the humble office husband? Take us, for instance, observes a writer in the Philadelphia Evening Ledger. Every Monday we always scheme out our luncheon menus for the whole week. This is the way they look: Monday—Hot mince pie with vanilla Ice cream on it. Coffee. Tuesday—Vanilla ice cream with Hos mince pie under it. Coffee. Wednesday —Coffee with vanilla Ice cream in it. Hot mince pie. Thursday—VanJHa ice cream with coffee around it. Hot mince pie. s’ Friday—Hot mjnce pie with coffee near it. Vanilla Ice cream. , Saturday—Coffee with hot mince pie adjoining it. Vanilla lee cream. Sunday—lndigestion. 7

Rebuilding Saloniki.

, An ambitious plan for rebuilding Saloniki was outlined recently by Mr. Thomas H. Mawson at King’s college, London. ’ Salonlki, he said, had been devastated by a great fire, and it had been detided to rebuild it on such a Scale as to make it one of the most important cities in the East. M. VenIzelos had determined to make it a more beautiful city. The city was fortunately situated in regard to parks, for it had at It* disposal tracts of land which would be made into some of th* finest parkapin the world without a penny of purchase money being paid ivee - . . '

WILL THESE BOXERS BE CHAMPS IN 1920?

Now that the war Is ended, it is reasonable to believe that boxing will have a boom, and that bouts will be staged involving the titles of the champions in the different divisions. . _ _ Benny Leonard, lightweight champion, is now reliably reported to have becdme a welterweight since he turned army instructor. When he met Ted Lewis, the welter title holder, a short time ago, there was little difference in their weights. Jess Willard and Johnny Kilbane are two title holders of prominence who cannot be enticed into a championship fight. Kilbane has not defended his title for over two years. He has given as an excuse his duties jhs an army Instructor. This no longer holds good. It will be Interesting to see what his new reason will be. As for the wary Willard, nobody is able to drag him into a ring. He has risked his title but once since he won it, April 5, 1915.

RIXEY HEARD FROM

Lieut. Eppa IJixey of the chemical division of the American expeditionary forces, is another ball tosser who escaped unhurt, although - having seen the heaviest kind of fighting in France. From Bar-sur-Aube Lieutenant Rixey writes that he is well and anxious to return to America, although he has no idea when he will be back. Before sailing for France the Phillies’ big southpaw hinted that he might not play ball again, but friends now in this country say they are sure he’ll change his mind upon his return home.

SCOUT FOR PLAYERS IN ARMY

Minneapolis Club Has Man In France Looking for Likely Performers Among Soldiers.

The Minneapolis Baseball club has a scout in the American expeditionary forces. His name is Claude “Lefty” Thomas, star flinger of the 1917 Millers, and he has been authorized by Manager Cant illon to “ehgage several t h e begt ball players whom he sees perform on army teams. According to a recent letter from Thomas, he expects to return overseas in Time to go South with the 1919 team. He writes that he will bring possibly three good ball players with him for the Millers. Mutt Williams,■ in the air service mechanics’ school at Sr. Paul, expects to engage several players from his branch of the service for 1919 trials with the Millers.

COACH QUITS NORTHWESTERN

Fred Murphy Tenders His Resignation —Mining Interests Require His Attention. Fred Murphy, football coach at Northwestern university for the last five years, has tendered his resignation. In a letter received at the in-

Coach Fred Murphy.

stitution Coach Murphy explained that his growing mining interestsin Colorado required all hla attention.

INTERESTING SPORT PAPAGRAPHS

Jack Barry declares he would rather play in Boston than any place. * • ♦ The Yanks have' a regular art” gallery of players in army and navy uniforms. « * * Stuffy Mclnnis will probably be back on first base for the Red Sox this year. • * ♦ Lee Fohl will lead the Indians again. At least he has been made manager of the club. • ♦ ♦ Some big bouts will be held in Chicago this year if the Illinois boxing bill becomes a law. * • ♦ Rube Oldrlng Is being touted as the coming manager of the Toronto club of the International league. t ♦ Christy Mathewson doesn’t expect to get back from France for the opening of the basebalP season. - - * * '* - The Illinois boxing- measure provides for 10 per cent of the receipts to go to the state treasury. t —« « ; Earl Yingling will return to ths Nationals this spring. Griff could stand another left-hander too. ♦ * ♦ Now it seems that the teams of the country are to have their usual “greatest season in history of baseball.” ■ ~—- * • ♦ ? All the minor leagues are getting ready to open the season with a bang. Maybe they’ll close it that way. too. Earl Baldwin is the latest Yankee recruit. He is a catcher who made a good record in the Pacific league. ♦ * * Ball players in the service are being released rapidly. Practically all of them will be on deck when the season opens. Jack Dunn declares that Eijrl Smith, the young backstop purchased by the Giants, is the greatest young catcher he has ever seen, ; —• » • * Wilbert Robinson has signed a couple of juvenile Infielders from Scranton. Hughie Jennings , must have overlooked them. -• ■ * * Eddie Plank isn’t saying anything about reporting to the Yanks tn the spring. The veteran doesn’t have to worry about playing baseball. • * ♦ Dell may - f ollow Lavan into retirement. He has said he must look out for his future, intimating that it doesn’t lie in baseball. • * * Dick Rudolph, a star with the Braves in the days when they called George “the miracle man,” is doing his best to get away from the Boston club. ♦ • • Now that Fred Toney has been acquitted of the slacker charge he may be of some help to McGraw this year. He will be out of jail in time to start the season.

EXTENSIVE ATHLETIC PLANS FOR SOLDIERS

Competition in All Branches of Sports Is Sanctioned. Efforts Will Have Active Co-operation of the Various Welfare Organize tions With Authority From , General Pershing. An extensive organized effort will be made to develop athletics in the American expeditionary force during the next few months. Through the organized direction of entertainments also it will be aimed to bring out and develop the entertaining talent the army affords. ' ; The efforts in both these directions will have the active co-operation of the Y. M. C. A., the Knights of Columbus, the Salvation army and the other welfare organizations, with authorityfrom General Pershing. Competitive sports as well as purely athletic exercises will be arranged In each division and corps. Official championships will be contested under rules to be adopted later in these sports: Track and field events, baseball, football, basketball, tennis, boxing and wrestling. Beginning with each company as the smallest unit, there will be elimination contests In the organization all the way up to army corps. The company winners will cofnpete in battalion events and battalion winners in regimental contests. When- the winners in each army corps are decided there will he final contests for the athletic championships of the American expeditionary forces, in which only the winners of divisional championships will be eligible. All the team events will be conducted so as to make selections of one athletic team from each of the First, Second and Third armies and two teams from the service of supply, including the distrtct of Paris. Football teams will be organized to represent army troops, corps troops, division base sections of the service of supply and intermediate sections of the service of supply in the Paris district and the service of supply in the advanced sections. The boxing contests will embrace six classes —featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. The elimination bouts will consist of three rounds each of three minutes, with finals in the division corps of the army and service of supply tournaments of five rounds each. Boxing and wrestling tournaments must be concluded by 1 March 31. - Individual prizes will be awarded members of teams winning the first place in the divisional contests and to the members of the two teams contesting in the finals of the American expeditionary force championships, the prizes to be emblematic of service in the American expeditionary force.

SERVES IN NAVY AND ARMY

Outfielder Sam Rice of Washington, Only Player to See Service In Both Branches. Sam Rice, Washington’s outfielder. Is probably the only big leaguer who has served in two branches of the United States Service. He served a term in the navy several years ago,

Sam Rice.

joining the Petersburg (Va.) League club when discharged. That was -lix years ago. He remained a pitcher until 1915, when Clark Griffiths gave h im a trial in the outfield. Last spring he enlisted In the coist artillery And’was sent overseas /several months ago.

STAR BACK WITH PENN STATE

"Jodie” Harlan Resumes His Studies —He Was Expected to Go to Georgia Tech. “.Tudie” Harlan, the smashing, tearing halfback of the famous Naval Reserves. is back at Penn State university, where he will resume his studies. It was said that Harlan, who camo from Georgia Tech, would return to ■his former school, but he hhs changed his mind and will go to the Pennsylvania institution. Penn state will haves wonderfnl addition to their halfback field in Hui* lan.