TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13743, 26 May 1910, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

It is going on for six North Sea years ' ago since the Scouts. Russian fleet, in a de-

lirium of panic, opencel fire upon a number of British trawlers in the North Sea, under the impression that they were Japanese torpedoboats. Nothing was known of the tragic mistake until two days later, when the news reached Hull, end set England in a blaze of indignation. Should history repeat itself to-morrow the intelligence would be flashed across the waste of waters in the twinkling of an eye. Such an achievement is possible because Another "feeler" has lately been thrown out, adding its quota to such sense of national security as is possjble to be entertained in these times of unrest. For the North Sea trawlers are being equipped with wireless telegraphic apparatus, and the first message from one of the stout little craft was received in London last month. For some time past it has been regarded as difficult, if not impossible, for shins so small as trawlers to use the wireless system effectively, but in March last the United Wireless Company equipped the Red Cross vessel, St. Vincent, which "mothers".' the trawling fleet, with a system that has since been proved to overcome all difficulties. The value of the innovation is almost incalculable. It means that in the event of any dispute between the Powers afloat, the North Sea trawlers, of which there arc always some 690 at work between the coast of England and tho Continent, will be able to advise promptly tho home defences of the presence of an enemy. It is not for nothing that British money is heing lavished upon strengthening tho defences of the North Sea frontage. The greatest menace of all is apprehended from that quarter. It means, therefore, that the trawlers will now act as honorary scouts, and should be able now and then to keep the authorities posted in information of the highest -utility. It means, further, that the work of the regular scouting vessels will be sensibly diminished, and thot their services wilL be available on emergency for other purposes, thus adding considerably to the effectiveness of the first line of defence. It would tend, also, to complicate the plans of a possible enemy contemplating a sudden descent upon English shores for him to have to reckon with the vigilance of every unconsidered trifle of shipping fabric pursuing its apparently innocent everyday avocations within biscuit-toss of the scene of the marshalling of naval forces intent upon a raid. The first essential of a raid is absolute secrecy of movement. That ingredient will be much more difficult than ever to secure now that the trawlers are provided with means for sending an alarm at the earliest possible moment.

Brief particulars of Millionaire's tho astounding case Double of Karl May, a wellLife, known German mil-

lionaire - philanthropist, were reported in tho cablegrams a few weeks ago. English exchanges received by tho last mail furnish fuller cietails of this amazing exposure. The sensational revelations were made as the result of an action for libel brought by May ogainst William Leibus, a trade union loader, owing to the latter having described him as a "born criminal." The assertions made by Leibus as to May's past life were, according t:» the Court, satisfactorily proved, and judgment was given for defendant. Few men who have risen to a position commanding such influence and respect have ever been confronted with such a shattering exposure. It appears that as far back as 1*369, M3y was "wanted" by the police. Ho took refuge in the depths of a forest in Silesia, where he made the acquaintance of a deserter from the army, and the two became ihe chiefs of a gang of robbers. The band made their headquarters in a well-concealed cave, from which they made raids in all directions. Their depredations became so intolerable that tho Government sent troops to clear tho neighbourhood of bandits. When the searchers began to beat the woods, the two ringleaders of the band saved themselves by an ingenious and daring trick. Among the plunder in the cave w_3 the uniform of a Saxon warder. May donned this uniform, and tjing his accomplice's hands behind his back, marched him under simulated airest through the encompassing ring, by which re sou reef til proceed ins; both escarped After again eluding capture shortly afterwards, May disappeared, and when- some years later looks telling of travel in far-off lands began to appear, no one suspected that their puthor was the one-time brigand chief, although, with his customary assurance, May retained his own name. Ihc- only cecasion on which he wrote under an assumed name was when ho published some sensational novels descriptive of his adventures in the forests of Silesia. May's literary work and tuctess in

business ventures brought him wealth »nd fame, and he became conspicuous not cniy as a deeply religious man but a* a philanthropist who £jvc large sums in charity. His villa at Dresden was crowded with curios said to barbe on brought back from his wanderings. A.s a matter of fact he had never been outside Germany. May is now seventy years old. .During the proceedings he declared that if he lost the case he would shoot himself; but on the verdict going against him his friends ulaced him under supervision. Our American cousins Fighting may invariably be reConsumption. lied.upon to bring to any cause enlisting their sympathetic assistance an immense amount of shrewd common-sense. the exercise of which is almost certain to promote the wide popularity of the object they have set in view. In the matter of securing public support they recegnis;' that they must tirst catch their hare, and this they do by a variety cf bright and up-to-date means, every one of which is effective. The fight acainst tuberculosis?, which has nUractrd hundreds of thousands of iccruits aii over the United Statec, is a ease in point. "No tuberculosis in Ontario County in 1915" is the slogan that has been adopted, by the Ontario County Committee on the Prevention of Tuberculosis. This has appealed directly to the patriotism of each individual, and has proved vastly efficacious in securing aid for the cause. The campaign is one of education and of action. Enamel signs bearing such admonitions as ''Don't sleep in rooms where there is no fresh air. Don't be afraid of night air. Don't be afraid of cold air. Don't be afraid of rainy weather. Sleep with your windows open," adorn telegraph poles everywhere. Mottoes stating the salient facts about tuberculosis, charts and diagrams showing graphically its pre valence in various localities; pictures of hospitals, sanatoria, dispensaries, and other provisions for consumptives are :<lso largely utilised. Thousands of leaflets and booklets are distributed, peregrinating phonographs are employed to deliver "canned" lectures, and men and boys alike are wearing on the lapels of their ooate, badges with the prophetic insignia, "*\"o Tuberculosis in Ontario County in 1915.'' Some schools are using the educational leaflets first as readers, and later as a basis for language Icseons. Thus the entire community—-men, women and children—is being saturated with practical truths concerning the scourge and the way out, and with so effective an awakening of the public conscience to the perils of the disease, in five years' time Ontario County may be enabled to present a clean bill of health so far a.s consumption is concerned. This hope is rendered all the more substantial by the fact that tho movement is headed by bands of the most enterprising and influential citizens in all walks of life.