CURRENT TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 3

CURRENT TOPICS.

The French press, the cable informs us, are suggesting that Britain should \ FRANCE exchange Gambia inWest Africa, and or Sokoto in Central Africa, for newfound- the French shore rights in Xewland. foundland. It is a gratifying

development to Fee that the French press has at last arisen to a proper sense of its responsibilities, and this time is endeavouring to guide that unhappy nation aright, instead of misleading by false representation. No doubt if approached in a friendly spirit, Great Britain will hail with welcome any reasonable attempt to get rid of the French Old Man of the Soa on the Newfoundland shore. Provided always that the French do not ask too much there should be no serious difficulty in settling the French shore rights question in Newfoundland by an exchange like that suggested by the French newspapers. Gambia^, although an older British possession in Africa, is not strategically so important as Sokoto in Central Africa, and the exchange of a large slice of our West African territory for the Newfoundland shore rights of the French would be hailed by the Newfoundland colonists with delight. French bliore rights are somewhat equivocal at anyrale, and if made the subject of international arbitration at the present time, it is inconceivable that France should be awarded all that she claims. As we pointed out in an article a short time ago, the shore rights now claimed by France represent the accumulated results of repeated acts of aggression, permitted by successive English Governments, more from jnotives of Xriendshiu than anything else. But

recent events have shown the world that England has tired of the French policy of pin pricks, and the time is opportune for a settlement of the long-standing Newfoundland grievance. Better terms are likely to be arranged now than at any previous time since this burning question became one for diplomatic consideration. If the French press gives expros?ion to the voice of the nation, the Newfoundland Government will not be slow to urge the Imperial authorities to devise a modus vivendi, whereby the sovereignly of England may be exercised over the whole Newfoundland territory. The dual partnership of British territorial and French shoro rights constitutes an anachronism at any rate, and is the cause of a good deal of unnecessary friction between the two countries. With the British and French spheres of influence in Africa defined, and the Newfoundland question settled, a grave danger to tho peace of Europe will be removed, and France and England can return to the amicable relations which characterised them in time past. •

Whence do the French obtain their news ? The answer which is suggested the press to this by an article in the OF Paris. February number of " Macmillan's Magazine " on the press of Paris as il is to-day is that they do not get it at all. At least, the majority of the Parisian newspapers do not supplyit. W!:at is given is very much belated. The Paris press in divided into several classes, representing distinct tjpe3 of journalism. From t'ae Figavo, which is said to represent the middle class intelligence of France, we get a va»t deal of amusement. For thoso who are eager for fiction, there are instalments of two works, as different as possible in style and temper. 4t the foot of <<ne page is found a iniisterpiece of tho new hobool ; at the foot of another M. Xavier de Montepin unfolds hiss interminably elaborate plots. The leading article (the article en tete, as they call it) is generally signed by one of the greatest names in France. The Figaro has no principles and no views. On the rare occasions on which it has attempted to shape public opinion, it has retreated from tho truth .Uvcptly a falling circulation proved the truth unpalatable. But tho real distinction of the Figaro is tho continuity of its method. It remains to-day very much what it was when SI. do Villemessant founded it, and M. de Villemessant was (the writer in " Macmillan " says) a man of genius. "He never contributed a single article to his own journal, but )i9 handled his staff as a piactical coachman handles a four-in-hand, and not f»r an instant did he relax his control. If he could not write he could suggest, and many of his most famous articles were inspired and even phrased by the man who never wielded a pen. He was brutal, unscrupulous, self-centred; he know but one ambition — success, and but one god — opportunity." Next in position to tho Figaro, the writer places the Journal and tl'o Echo de Paris. Both savour far more of the lighter French humour and " a single halfpenny will buy you half a dozen articles, dainty stories, witty criticisms of life." But they are not newspapers. A handful of paragraphs records the progress of the world ; and each employs a gentleman to misunderstand foreign politics. Another class — the class which is tlie discreditable feature of Parisian journalism — comprises the daily pamphlets, written to enforce a particular opinion or to damage a particular party. Their unscrupulous virulence has never been surpassed in the world's history. They would be impossible in England ; first, because nobody cares to be confronted every morning with 12 or 16 columns of abuse; and, secondly, because, though the duel is unknown to us, we still have our law against libel. There vast popularity in France proves more eloquently than records or statistics the nation's decadence. Go where you will in the country, you will find the clergy and its flock reading with common consent and enthusiasm "La Libre Parole." Now this journal exists for no other purpose than to fight the Jews, and to advocate in plain terms a new St. Bartholomew. To M. Drumont the Jew is the maehinator of universal evil, guilty, without o, {rial, of every charge that can be brought against him, and whatever you may think of the Jew, it is very easy to make up your mind concerning M. Drumont. Similar is the Intransigeanl, in relation to which M. Rochefort holds much the same position. But the difference between English and French journalism holds good throughout. In brief, says the writer of the article in " Macmillan' s," the Frenchman wishes to smile, the Englishman desires to know. For our part we may be thankful that we are guarded against the scurrility of MM. Rochefort and Drumont, since that way lies national degradation and ruin."

Through the medium of the cable we wero informed at the time that Sir l>r W. M. Conway, the well-known HIGH explorer and alpine climber, altitudes, had succeeded in ascending the great peak of Aconbagua — a feat which Mr Fitzgerald had accomplished two years previouplv. The ascent of this peak, which in upwards of 25.000 ft hiuh. waß not tb«

chief objective of Sir William's expedition tc South America. The main idea was the ox ploration of tho gigantic chain known as the Cordillera Real, which runs for 100 miles through Bolivia, and includes some of the loftiest of the Andes, fair W. M. Conway haa collected, a3 the result of his observations, a mass of exact geographical data that were previously wanting regarding this remarkable range, second only in altitude to the Himalayas, as well as other parts of the Central Andes. -Among other things, he believes he has established beyond doubt th 6 important fact that Sorata, of which ho made the first ascent, is the highest peak in South America, exceeding Aconcagua by at least 1000 ft. I have not," he said, "worked the thing out completely yet, but indisputably tho altitude is well beyond 24,000 ft above the cea level. We did not quite pet to the top, because the summit is a cone of snow certainly 400 ft in depth, and at the time we reached it, it was in just that stale in which at ai.y minute it might break oft' in huge avalanches. To go further under such conditions was a physical impossibility." Avalanches ware, however, notfthe chief difficulty. The mountain is rugged, and fiom a moderate distance above tho snow line is literally encased in ice, with rocl:3 jutting out here and there. Some of the glaciers are of immense thickness. Sir William Conway also ascended Illimani, which is the second highest summit of the range. It is similar in character to Soratn, and is distinctly a glacier mountain, but it did not prove altogether unattainable. The snow cone is about tho s&mw thickness, but he succeeded in surmounting that also, as it happened, without coming to grief. "In each instance," Sir William said,

" the climb is about 7000 ft Up to that point, as is tho case with most mountains,you can lide. Wo had difficulty, however, in getting carriers, Binoe the district round the base of the range is inhabited by Indians." With regard to Sarmionto, the great peak of Patagonia, a snowstorm which overtook the party when rather more than half-way up was one of tin worst in his experience. The ascent of Sar miento besides is exceptionally toilsome be cause the glaciers come down to the sea level As to the permanent outcome of the expedi tion, .Sir W. M. Conway has returned to .Kng land with specially prepared maps giving thi results of his explorations, a large collection of views, and a variety of new and interestiDo geographical observations.

Since the days when Stephenson sent the " Rocket " flying along _th 6 perfection metals at the rate of 12 milfii

of tub an hour at the trial which inlocomotivr augurated the railway as a

mode of conveyance, the development of tho locomotive has been in steady progress. The gifted genius whose fertile brain conceived the first locomotive with ite following train held the opinion that S2)eed was only limited by the strength of tho material a"ailable for tho construction of locomotives and rolling 6tock generally, and offered to run trains at 100 miles an hour if provided with strong enough material. That rate of speed has not been quite attained, but every new development in the locomotive Eceß a nearer approach to it. To America, the land of big things, belongs the honour of breaking the record for spend, with a new type of locomotive, tho most notable improvements upon which were invented by a 'German resident in the United fcitates. Instead of having the motive machinery at one end, as in the ordinary locomotive, the new type haa the driving parts afc the centre. The advantaged of this system of connection are said to be that the locomotive does not oscillate, and is strongly attracted to the metals. Thia locomotive, now running on the BaltimoreOhio line, has achieved the speed of 82 miles an hour, and bo successful have the trials been that it is to bo taken as the pattern for future locomotives by that railway company. Another improvement is a contrivance by means of which tho usual smoke-stack is abolished, and transformed into a draught and outlet for exhaust steam. By this means perfect combustion is attained, and smoke and sparks are done away with. Besides this up-to-date locomotive is said to be stronger, lighter, and more economical in working than any other type of engine. Within 18 miles of the speed considered attainable by Stephenson, who could bo bold enough to say that 100 miles an hour will not yet be reached by the steam locomotive ! But, aa in ocean traffic, every additional mile over existing rates of speed may be gained at too great cost, for the increase of speed is not commensurate with the increase of power employed. The resistance of the atmosphere is a factor that cannot be overlooked. Wind moving at 82 miles an hour constitutes" a hard gale, approaching hurricane force, and 100 miles an hour is a. full blown hurricane. Therefore it would be highly dangerous to drive a train at that speed against an ordinary breeze, let alone in the teeth of a gale. Irom one cause and another we may take it that the limit of speed under existing conditions has been nearly reached, and that before there is any groat accession of speed to that of the fastest express trains there will have to be a reconstruction oi the railway system.