RANDOM NOTES

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 85, 4 January 1940, Page 6

RANDOM NOTES

Sidelights On Current Events

(By

Kickshaws.)

If this race to build huge battleships continues the next job will be to prepare a sea in which to float them. Expressive dancing, it is said, seeks to portray the characteristic features of modern life. Why drag down dancing, too? * * * The German authorities, we understand, are insinuating that Britain is responsible for the earthquakes in Turkey. Nevertheless, we would, like to point out to Hitler that Britain may yet be responsible for a landslide' in Germany.

It is contended that we have now passed the period of maximum sunspot activity and may expect a marked reduction in sunspots in 1940. In a world full of the unpredictable this at least is something to which to look forward. Sunspot activity seems an undesirable feature in its effects on this small world of ours. All manner of theories have been worked out. Mr. G. V. Hudson, for example, has pointed out that there does appear to be a connexion between sunspots and weather. Here are the sunspots for a number of years: 1927, 126 groups of sunspots; 1928, 124; 1939, 115; 1930, 103; 1931, 62; 1932, 36; 1933, 19; 1934, 40; 1935, 102. lu 1933 and 1934, speaking generally, droughts were prevalent in both hemispheres. Certainly 193 S and 19.39 have produced floods as well as considerable sunspot activity, the number of sunspot groups for 1938 and 1939 being 253 and 185. These periods of intense activity have ended with houses being washed away, record falls of rain, and other sensational effects. Let us hope that the predicted, marked reduction in spots will give us a few good summers.

It is not only the weather that sunspots seem to affect. Investigators have made all, manner of alarming claims that vary between crime statistics and the thickness of the furs that women wear. From these storm centres on the sun a tremendous stream of electrical energy is emitted. The earth and the neighbouring planets are enveloped. One result is said to be that sunspot activity causes polar caps on the planet Mars to disappear. Professor Douglas, of the Carnegie Institute, has proved that rings of trees are noticeably wider during maximum 'sunspot periods. Dr. Maurice Faure, a French scientist, also suggested that there seems to be a definite connexion between sunspots and cases of sudden death, specially of persons over the age of 45 years. Investigations subsequently carried out indicated a connexion between sunspots and the suicide rate. Dr. DeLury, who has also been investigating sunspot effects, contends that it stimulates volcanic activity, earthquakes, epidemics, insect plagues, as well as the economic situation which leads to a war spirit in the people of the world. It is, therefore, something that' the greatest sunspot activity since 1870 is now over, a date which the French will remember for all time.

It is again reported that Hitler is suffering from cancer and has only 18 months to live. These reports have been circulating for some years now. lu fact what, with one thing and another it looks as if Hitler is going to have a rough spin in 1940. It has been an open secret in Germany for the last two years that Hitler has been receiving treatment for a complaint in his throat. It is said that the medical report was accidentally included in a bundle of case histories presented to a British doctor at a German clinic. Whatever be the truth or otherwise of this, here at any rate is the report “Microscopical aud histological examinations show beyond doubt that toe growth found on the false vocal chords is malignant, and the clinical symptoms bear out this melancholly diagnosis. These latter are:—l. Increasing aphonia; 2, Slight offensive discharge. 3. Hoarseness; 4, Very foul breath: 5, Mental depression with hysteria. Now it is certain that deep-ray therapy is useless and I have no hope of cure. The Leader cannot live more than 18 months or two years.”

Whether or no Hitler is doomed to die of a throat affliction in 1940 the stage seems set for something in that line. The idea of death appears constantly to haunt Hitler. He is always making provision for "when I am goneEvery' indication that the stars van suggest, add their quota to the doom that appears to be approaching in 1940. Just how Hitler is going to meet his end is conflicting, however. The doctors say he will die of cancer of the throat if left to himself. It is daubtful. however, if be will be left to die quietly in that way. M hen in August, 1939. the moon entered the sign of Scorpio for some years an extremely critical period of health was predicted for Hitler. The year 1940. moreover, was regarded as a verj critical one for Germany with revolution and the death of Hitler forecast. Hitler it is predicted, will die a sudden death but he will disappear mysteriously and the true natiire of his death will never be revealed. M hatever wav the fellow dies it seems that he will return to the depths whence he came and will become forgotten.

Hitler’s end has been predicted in all manner of ways by various prophets and the like. It is perhaps significant that, one and all appear to agree that he will meet a sudden end shortly Mr T. Campbell who predicted the month that the present war would start savs Hitler will be assassinated bv a friend, at present a trusted adviser “I saw Hitler in conference, savs this visionary. “There were seven or eight uniformed men seated round a table, but toe only one I could identify was the Fuehrer. Suddenly one of'them drew a revolver aud fired. Hitler collapsed.” Furthermore, it is recorder! that a 12th century writer of verse foretold Hitler’s downfall. lhe verse is said to have been written by a monk in a monastery at Brandenbuto. The author describes the rise of the Kaiser, the Great War. and the Kaisers flight. The verse then foretells a period of peace followed by the period when the world is greatly troubled a man who rises from obscurity to t te highest position. This man will make a “Great Germany" and will drive the Jews out of the country. When at his height he will drag Germany into another great war from which Germanj will emerge ruined. During these critical times a newly elected y°l’ e '' l , do much for peace but will be o to leave Rome for a time. * ♦ * If solid happiness we prize, Within our breast this jewel lies. And they are fools who roam. Tile world lias nothing to bestow: From our own selves out jo.' mus How, And that dear hut. our home. —Cotton.