Page:The Evening Journal, May 5, 1910.pdf/1

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The New Member.

The trials of a young member of Parliament are described in The Pall Mall by Michael Macdonagh, who considers him, on the whole, a timid person, considerably overawed by his new surroundings. Generally, he says, months elapse before the new member raises his voice in the House of Commons. He generally starts with a timorous “Hear, hear,” as part of a general chorus. As his courage waxes he may go so far as to raise his voice alone in a cry of “No, no.” How startled he is at his own audacity! He hangs his head, as if endeavouring to conceal himself.As time goes on, however, he becomes quite proud of the achievement. He looks boldly around the Chamber, as if to say, “Yes, I am the man; it was I that said ‘No, no. Arrived at the stage of self-assurance, the young member is certain to entertain his sweetheart with a thrilling account of the incident. “My dear,” he says, “I am getting on famously in the House. I caused rather a sensation last night by shouting ‘No, no’ while the Prime Minister was speaking.” “Never!” exclaims the enraptured sweetheart. Maybe his felicity is not quite complete. He looks carefully through the Parliamentary reports of all the London morning papers, only to be grievously disappointed on finding that that “No, no,” like other good things, probably, was missed by the reporters.

Extraordinary Coincidence.

The death of Mr James O'Conner M.P. (says London Titbits) has recalled an extraordinary coincidence in connection with his first election for West Wicklow. The clergyman who proposed Mr. O'Conner said that the Tory candidate—Col. Saunders—was the grandson of the man who ordered the shooting of the 36 martyrs of Dunlavin Green in 1798. Mr. O'Conner, the National candidate, was the grandson of Kearney, one of the men who was shot. “The two grandsons are before you to-day.” continued the clergyman, “and I venture to prophesy that when the poll is declared the majority by which James O'Conner will win be the sacred number 1,798.” The prophesy was fulfilled: 1,798 was the exact figure of the majority.

A Prince and a Man.

Prince Louis of Battenberg, who has been named as the next Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet whenever that post becomes vacant, has not benefited in the least in his career in the navy through his relationship to the Royal Family (says the United Service Gazette). Indeed it is not too much to say that the reverse has been the case, for had he possessed another and less German name it is probable that he would have been First Sea Lord of the Admiralty before to-day. Years ago he was passed over for command after command for which he eminently fitted owing to the German atmosphere that surrounded his name. If he succeeds Admiral Sir W. H. May in the Home Fleet there will no doubt be some outcry raised; but as a matter offact, the Prince is thoroughly British in his sentiments and aspirations; otherwise he would have accepted the throne of Bulgaria when it was offered to him several years ago. Prince Louis of Battenberg is one of the most popular men in the royal navy to-day. Not only is he noted for the possession (and exhibition, which is the main point) of all those kindlinesses of heart and tender delicacies of felling which endear him to all who serve under him, but his natural sense of justice is so true, his administration so lenient, and tempered with so full a consideration of extenuation circumstances, that is the Prince says a thing has to be done that is all the men want to now. And it has always been so, ever since he was midshipman, when his “command” consisted of a boat's crew ashore. He is said to have never lost a man on these occasions.

Worth Considering.

In the section of the latest issue of “The Public Schools Year Book” on colonial openings for public school boys, seven pages are devoted to Canada, and about the same amount to Australia and New Zealand. If readers are to judge by this, neither Western Australia nor South Australia have any use for public school boys. About Queensland there is a good deal of information, less about New South Wales, still less about Tasmania, and least of those mentioned about Victoria. The page and a half on New Brunswick has been “communicated by the Agent-General,” who offers to “furnish illustrated pamphlets, handbook, and any information relating to the province.” Is there any reason (write Y.A.T. in The British Australasian), why all the Australian Agents-General should not have done as much? The offer of illustrated pamphlets is much more attractive than the promise of mere “information and particulars,” or even of “official handbooks.”

A Terrible Texan.

Lieut. Sartoris gives some interesting reminiscences of life in the American Army in The New Quarterly Review, relating particularly to the Spanish War. He tells of an amusing incident of the Texan Volunteers. An officer of the Regular Army, noticing a large, gawky, ill-dressed Texan on duty determined to test him, and if need be give him a lesson. He addressed him, and the man saluted properly enough. “Now give me your rifle,” said the staff officer, and the sentinel meekly complied, which he should not have done, except to an officer of his own regiment, or to the “officer of the guard” or “officer of the day.” Immediately he had surrendered his rifle the staff officer whipped it to his shoulder and said, “No, what are you going to do?” The Texan looked at him, and reaching down to his boot (he wore boots over the knees, cowboy fashion) pulled out a revolver. “That ain't loaded, you fool,” he drawled, “but this feller is, and I reckon you'd better scoot right away home,” and he fired a warning shot, close to the officer's ear; shortly afterwards a very much frightened and dishevelled U.S. Army officer dashed into headquarters closely pressed by the Texan, who was still using the most lurid language, and was firing all round the unfortunate regular. It was all straightened out then, but the staff officer never attempted to teach Texans guard duty again.

Commonwealth Airship Prize.

The Defence Department officials have received many letters from inventors in connection with the offer of the prize of £5,000 by the Commonwealth to the inventor or designer of the flying machine which is adjudged by the Minister for Defence to be, subject to certain conditions, the best and most suitable for military purposes. None of these letters has been dealt with, and when they indicate on the envelope that the contents refer to airships they are locked up, unopened, for consideration after the date of the closing of the competition on June 30. Then all of the suggestions and designs submitted will be dealt with by some board to be appointed for the purpose. This course, has been adopted in the interests of the inventors themselves.—The Melbourne Herald.