Behind the Headlines

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1939, Page 1 (Supplement)

Behind the Headlines

FAREWELL TO VATICAN CITY. Vatican City, plunged into mourning, remembers the lives and deaths of many Popes. Standing on the north side of the River Tiber, this “Palace of the Popes” seems to have originated from a house built in the time of Constantive and rebuilt by Pope Innocent 111., about 1200. From 1447 onwards rapid transformations took place until a lavish • pa-ace resulted. Only a relatively small portion of the existing vast complex, however, is inhabited by the Pope. The remainder includes the Sistine Chapel, the Chapel of Nicholas V., the Pius-Clementine Museum and numerous other famous insitutions. The Vatican’s magnificent library contains more than 300,000 manuscripts.

MANDATED VOLCANOES Subject of much discussion during the German colonial, claims and now subject to a fierce storm, Samoa is a group of 14 volcanic islands in the Pacific Ocean. Of a total area of 11080 square miles, it is mountainous, wellwatered, forest clad and fertile. Craters ranging in height from 2000 to 4000 feet abound everywhere. Chief exports are copra and cocoa beans. The islands of Samoa featured in many of R. L. Stevenson’s books and. stories, the island of Upolu, most populous of the groups, 'being his last resting place. New Zealand shouldered the responsibility of adminstering the mandated portion of Western Samoa after the Great War. Some folks have hinted that the mandatory power may not soon be in existence. V .. / NATIONAL STRIKES A FAILURE Few general national strikes have succeeded. History has recorded several attempts, but only an occasional success. France’s latest ranks among the failures. However there are one or two major successes to prove by exception the application of the rule. In 1905 the Russian industrial workers laid down tools as of one accord arid did not raise them again until their | grievances had been redressed —in their own way. In 1920 the celebrated Kapp putsch was upset by a national strike. In both of these cases the motive was purely political. In 1926 England herself had a general strike in favour of the miners, but it was a complete failure, owing, apparently, ] to lack of sympathy among many union leaders. Prime Minister Baldwin called their bluff when they were pushed into it. France, however, seems to have had more than her share of strikes aimed at being national. She had one in 1910, which did not receive support, and another a few weeks ago. Perhaps the unity of workers in manufacturing armaments for a common cause may result in less talk of strikes in the next year or two.

FITNESS FOR YOUNG AMERICANS Talk of national fitness is rampant at present. Other countries have faced the problem and, to some extent, over-

PALACE OF POPES IS FINAL RESTING PLACE

come its difficulties. America faced the problem many years ago and has satisfied at least a portion of those who •- cried against the Government’s inactivity in this respect. In April, 1933, the first tent pegs of the Civilian Conservation Corps, considered a “New Deal Fad,” was established. Since then 2,000,000 young American citizens have benefited by this nation-build-ing scheme. It is now recognised as one of the most important of the Government’s various departments. Nothing military attaches to the organisation. It is purely civil in character, boasting of no military discipline or military training. The one idea be- “ hind the movement at the start, as now, was the conservation of America’s natural resources and the conservation of its young manhood, among boys and girls just out of school has long been a problem facing America. To-day 300,000 of such young % men are in the corps, benefiting under good discipline, excellent and nour- "-m ishing food, regular hours of rest, and v| educational opportunities carefully adjusted to their needs. f PERSECUTED CHURCH STANDS FIRM ■rM Pastor Martin Niemoeller, famed German pastor who went to prison .Ji for his conscience sake in the face of Nazi oposition, has refused to sign an -|| agreement to regain his freedom o v n; condition that he does not resume activity in his Berlin-Dahlem parish. Church worshippers in some countries to-day are facing as much persecution as they did in the historic martyr days. Despite this, however, it is offldally recorded that church membership in Germany is increasing, possibly due to the increase in population. Of the German population, 54 per cent, still belong to Protestant churches (according to the “New York Times”), 36 per cent, to the Roman Catholic Church and only 10 per cent, to other professions or none, while 92 to 95 per cent, still pay church taxes. 1 ' * .Jljß PORTUGAL AND BRITAIN . ’ British Foreign Office considers that the military mission to Portugal had strengthened the friendship uniting the defence forces of the two countries. Britain has a centuries-old treaty with Portugal based on mutual benefit. In return for the strategic value to Britain of the close association, Portugal | can rely on Britain’s guarantee of independent stature as a nation. From >| the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, Portugal showed a partiality for General Franco, There was thus a danger that Italy and Germany would gain ’a footing in Portugal. The Portuguese Government skilfully played on the position in order to obtain modem artillery and other weapons fromBritain, threatening otherwise to get supplies from Italy and Germany. Therefore Great Britain sent over a military, naval and air mission to Portugal about the middle of last year to reorganise the Portuguese forces and to maintain the traditional friendship. ...