The Ensign. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1909. TOPICS OF THE TIME.

Mataura Ensign, 20 March 1909, Page 2

The Ensign. SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1909. TOPICS OF THE TIME.

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WAR AND Till'. AlliSlilP

It is jnsi, ni.i years since Huron D'Aelirenthal (Austrian .Minister lor I'oriigll Affairs) slated that he believed that the ling of (lie airship would render war as it is Known at present absolutely impossible. Huron D'Aehrcn thai was not so conspicuous a figure in Kiiropcan politics as lie i, to-day. Hemil is possible more attention mav lie paid to his words in 11)1(1 than in i'.Nle. 'lf I were a peace apostle." said llaron D'Aehrenthal. "I would make liberal grants tor the construction ol airships, lor when the airship comes cvervlhing else will go. •'Kvervthing" had previously been referred'to as Ihe old svstem of States with fortress-guarded irontieis. great navies, and the like The air has no Irontieis. Tariff reform will become something more than a niiack prescription when aii goods save those in bulk, like coal and corn and limber, can lie delivered anywhere dntv Iree. despite the vain prol'ost.- ol Cos toin-hoiisc officers and coastguards. '.'here is no revolution in ihe inemon of uiaii (bat promises to be s.i I'arreaehiug. so catastrophic, a- ill" con•iliesl of the air. Il will either blow uj, our war sy.sieni or il will doslmv civilisation. Il is lor our rulers in llicii Hisdom to guide il In ihe forme,- ill lern.-iiiie. or we shall drill to ihe killer.

WHAT IS A VOI.CAN'.):-

Whatever its size cir ciiolev. the lyiii j .•al volcano consists ill' ii crater nunc 'en less elevated and conical, will, a |,ci liciiiliciiliir I'iiiiiicl in I lie centre cutilainine; li>|iii<l hnii. ami manifest ly full material in Militerraiiean depths (sa\> a writer in Tlie People's Friend'' Xlii.llM the writer ilesire lo see a niiuia ture volcano al home let liim kee|i al eve 4iii Ihe breakfast p.irridey |i;iu. Tin burslinu; 4if Hie Mill,. hubbies of steam on Ihe surl:ic> ~N i| cl.lv resembles I lie risine ami explosions of Ihe "real huh tiles in Hie molten mas:, in i lie cralcr ..I ••! volcano. These explosions are acooiu panied. ill proportion (41 Ihe oiior,"V. will! tlie violent, expulsion ol cl.ni.ls ~1 vapor, toedhcr with unmb"i les., frae,lllellls el reels, some of which fall Lad into (lie crater, whilst others «n lo Inrni a new crater or roll down I lie si.le ~; lite mountain. 'l'lie successive masse ol vapor atresia!,., thunder anil Unlit ninji result, whilst from llicir inevitable eonileiisiilion lorrent.s of rain soon full In some cases the successive explosion: appear unable to relieve Hie suhlcrrane an pressure sufficiently, ami then llie whole mass of molten matter seems lo rush ,ip iinil hllhlile over Hie cth'c „| the ci-iiler. ll.lls llowin;' in fast <lislrticlivc sf reams of l»\ a in the a,t !.jacc.it .list rid. Tin- resiilf of scientific illvesliei.lion is I hat llie steam, which i- Ihe cause of llie aelllal explosion. > MielnnUlcllv fori I 1,.,111 He inlerual heal of ihe card, acting np,in Hie wale, which is continually inlillniline; lliioiii-h .■racks 4,f all kind:. Also, the earlli i.nol oiilv hoi inlernallv. hut is also ever niolinii. Tim crusl of H artl, „nts| ernmhle ami crack Ihroueh Ihe inevitable cmil radioii. Hence cmes Ihosi !;real lines of weakness where Hie .suh-ten-aiiean forces Dial si rmade lor r\prcssion lin.l most nalnral vent.