Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 April 1898 — GRAVE QUESTION [ARTICLE]

GRAVE QUESTION

Of International Importance Settled by a Cinematograph. An amusing story is going the rounds of Paris, In which a cinematograph plays the leading role, and wherein It proves itself not only a source of eny tertainment, hut an impeccable authority in matters of historical import. It is rumored that the dwellers in a no less high place than the palace of the Elysee called in this ingenious invention the other day to settle a dispute •which arose from the assertion by Prince Bismarck that President Faure had neglected a point of etiquette on his recent visit to St. Petersburg. The Prince claimed that instead of saluting the Cossacks, who constituted the garde d’honneur, by raising his hat, President Faure had merely raised his hand to the brim, and paid them no further respect. In our- country such an accusation would receive no attention, except on the part of the comic papers, which would be pleased to make merry over It—our dignitaries dispose of their attentions as best suits their humor, with a wave of the hand or a nod, or, at the most, a Jerky lift of tne hat. But In ceremonious countries it is different. President Faure was quite disturbed by the accusation, and tried in vain to recall his action at the moment. Friends and attendants who were with him at the time were questioned; none could recall whether he had offended against the "protocole” or not. Finally, some one remembered that there was a cinematograph at one of the theaters which depicted the entrance into SL Petersburg and the attending ceremonies. The machine was at once ordered to the palace of the Elysee, and the President and his friends assembled to witness the performance. The lights were put out, the cinematograph was started, and immediately the spectators saw again the streets of St. Petersburg with the President conspicuous in the foreground; they saw him slowly advance to the front of the Cossacks, then raise his hat from his head, as directed by the “protocole,” with the gallant sweep peculiar to Parisians. So it was settled. Prince Bismarck was proven in the wrong, for, of course, the cinematograph cannot lie.—Chicago Inter Ocean.