GENERAL CABLES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9188, 13 April 1910, Page 3

GENERAL CABLES.

CHINA'S AWAKENING. MR ROOSEVELT WANTED. TO BE GENERAL ADVISER. VANCOUVER, March 29. It is rumoured in Tokio, the capital of Japan, that the Chinese Government is contemplating inviting Mr Roosevelt (ex-President of the United States) to become general adviser to China. The rumour states that a tentative plan has already been formulated for presentation to Mr Roosevelt, who will be asked to consider the needs of the Empire, make recommendations for reform, and guide China in her relations with other nations.

Ex-P resident Roosevelt's recent address to the student) at the Cairo (Egypt) University, in which he strongly condemned the assassination of Boutros Pasha Ghaly, late Premier of Egypt, has aroused considerable comment, in London, where there is a difference of opinion .as to the good or evil effects of his plain speaking.

The Standard has devoted an editorial to the matter, in which it makes ironical references to Mr Roosevelt's progress by referring to the rumour that he had received an offer of the post of AdvisorGenerai to China. The Standard says Mr Roosevelt is obviously the very man for the position, as the ordinary traveller requires months of study prior to venturing an opinion on foreign nations, whereas with a man of genius it is otherwise, for a few weeks spent mainly on Cairo steamers and in Cairo hotels would qualify him to pronounce judgment for the instruction of the listening nations. Britain might return the compliment, and send Mr Asquith to lecture to the citizens of America on their national defects and imperfections. BRITAIN AND FRANCE. A FORECAST ALLIANCE. . LONDON, March 31. Admiral Fournier, Commander of the French Mediterranean squadron, has published a book of reminiscences, in the course of which he declares that the time will arrive when France and Great Britain as allies will strengthen their forces for defence and offence by France adding a powerful fleet of battleships and torpedo boats, and by Britain supplementing the fleet with a great army. This course, he states, is essential to their safety in the future, as it will enable France, Great Britain and Russia to combat the forces of the* triple alliance should hostilities between America and Japan eventuate and in the event of Germany unchaining a world war. He further asserts that the real cause of Germany's nagging at France and Morocco was the Kaiser's resentment at the failure of Germany to secure a place in the International Commission of Enquiry which decided the dispute bctweon Britain and Russia at the- time of the Russo-Japanese war regarding the firing | at British trawlers by Russian warboats. j off Hull, in the belief that they were Japanese vessels. Admiral Fournier, who was President of the Commission, says that the Kaiser felt that M. Deicasse, late Foreign Minister of France, had blocked his pet plan. PORTUGUESE REVOLUTIONARIES. DISAFFECTED N.C.O's. LONDON, March 31. A sensation has been caused in Lisbon. Portugal, by an assertion that the Government 'has discovered that a great number of the sergeants in the regiments garrisoned at Estrewoz and Elvas, near" the Spanish frontier, are affiliated with secret revolutionary organisations, which are planning the overthrow of the Portuguese monarchy. JOHNSON-JEFFRIES FIGHT. CHURCH INTERVENTION. VANCOUVER, March 31. The United States Church Federation has begun a fight against the holSing of the Johnson-Jeffries battle at Emeryville, and is instructing counsel to take legal steps to prevent the contest. TRAINS OF TIIE FUTURE. 150 MILES AN HOUR. LONDON, March 31. A recent statement _ made by Mr Sutherland Warner, railroad expert, is rousing considerable interest among railway men in England. The statement was to the effect that possibly -within the next 10 years a speed of 150 miles an hour would bo attainedby grains. Mr Warner also said that electricity would have to be the motive power, and that three or four rails would be required to bear the enormcus weight of the motors. MARS AND THE MARTIANS. LONDON, April 1. Professor Lowell, in an address before 1 the British Astronc mical Society, expressed the opinion that the Martians, whilst they, vero intelligent organisms, were not -similar to human beings. Professor Lowell declares that Mars is dying from lack of water. MEDICAL DISCOVERY. VANCOUVER, March 31. • An important medical disepverv has been made in New York by Dr. Flexner, of the Rockefeller Institute. The doctor has' perfected a 6erum which has proved effective as a- cure in the early stages of spinal meningitis. It is stated that out of 123 cases of the disease which were treated before they were three days old by inoculation, 10l wore successful, and the patients recovered. ERUPTIONS ON THE SUN. VANCOUVER, March 31. According to- Professor Frost, director of the Yerkcs Observatory, Chicago, U.S.A., strange eruptions have occurred on the sun. These eruptions shot off from the surface of the sun like skyrockets. and were easily visible. One of them shot a length ofolso thousand miles, and it is. estimated that the main body of detached matter before it disappeared reached a distance from the sun of about 250 thousand miles.