Items of Interest May 16, 1903 Issue

Items of Interest

Baron d'Estournelles de Constant, the French Deputy, and a delegate of France to The Hague Peace Conference, has given out a statement regarding the political meaning of King Edward's visit to Paris, and the advancing world movement in favor of arbitration, in which he says: "While I am convinced King Edward did not utter a word on politics, yet his visit will have the happiest effect on the relations between the two countries. Only a year ago Europe sought to let The Hague Court die a silent death; but President Roosevelt saved the tribunal, first, by submitting to it the question in dispute between Mexico and the United States; second by obliging Germany, Great Britain, and Italy to take their Venezuelan complications to The Hague Court. Finally, Andrew Carnegie enriches the Court by the magnificent gift of $1,000,000. Thus, thanks to America and the Americans the tribunal is not doomed to slow death, and even Europe has been awakened to its merits. France and Great Britain should now be the first to follow the magnificent example of America and bring about their long retarded reunion. Already public opinion in both countries is aroused."

A general examination of the forests of the White Mountain region has been authorized by the New Hampshire Legislature. This examination will include a thorough investigation of the relation of the forests to the conserving of the water supply and the effect upon the water flow through the destruction of the forests. The work is under the supervision of the State Forestry Commission, and is being done by experts designated for the purpose from the field force of the Bureau of Forestry in the Department of Agriculture at Washington. This work has received the approval of several other of the New England States. The results of this survey will be made the basis of Congressional action to establish a National White Mountain Forest Reserve.

One hundred and eighty cases containing the casts and parts of casts given to Harvard University for the Germanic Museum arrived at Boston last week on board the Hamburg-American liner Adria. The casts form the larger part of the gift of Emperor William of Germany; the remainder of the casts are to be shipped here on board another steamer within a short time. The entire collection comprises replicas of nearly all the most famous pieces of sculpture and statuary in the German Empire. The final lot will comprise some one hundred and twenty cases. All the parties concerned in handling and forwarding these casts from Germany to Cambridge University gave their services gratis.

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