Strong drinks have now been prohibited all over Russia, and it looks asif Germany is not the only country whose future lies on the water.
Rumour has it that Germany is not too pleased with Austria'sachievements in the War, and there has been in consequence not a littlePotsdam-and-Perlmuttering between the two.
"When the Kaiser goes to places beyond the railway," we are told, "hetravels in a motor-car which, besides being accompanied by aides-de-campand bodyguards, is also watched by special secret field police." We areglad to learn that every precaution is taken to prevent his escape.
The Kaiser once desired to be known as "The Peace King." His eldest son,to judge by his alleged burglarious exploits, now wishes to be known asthe Charles Peace Prince.
It is said that Major von Manteuffel, who superintended the destructionof Louvain, has been recalled. We presume he will have to explain why heleft the Town Hall standing.
We still have to go to Germany for news about our own country. Thelatest reliable report is to the effect that there is now seriousfriction between King George and Lord Kitchener, the former havingbecome alarmed at the raising of "Kitchener's Army." The War Minister,the King fears, is aiming at the throne, and it is now being recalledthat Lord Kitchener, when a young man, was once told by a soothsayer, "Kstands for King."
We learn from The Daily Call that, in proportion to the number of itsinhabitants, Bâle is the richest city in Europe. The Swiss, we fancy,will scarcely thank our contemporary for drawing attention to this factin view of the well-known cupidity of a certain neighbour of theirs.
There is a proposal on foot to form a corps of Solicitors. By a prettylegal touch it is suggested that they might train between six and eight.
The Daily News the other day, in describing the fortunate escape of amidshipman from the Cressy, told its readers that, when pulled out ofthe water, the cadet "was not wearing a single garment. He was providedwith clothes and eventually put on a British destroyer." While hischoice of covering does credit to the young gentleman's spirit, we thinkhe would have done better to put on the clothes.
A naturalisation certificate has been granted to that clever Englishauthoress, the Countess Arnim. We congratulate Elizabeth on escapingfrom "her German Garden."
"Few people," says The Witney Gazette, "are familiar with the historyand resources of Belgium." How true this is may be seen from ourcontemporary's next statement:—"A large section of its populationconsists of a race known as the Walloons, the ancient descendants of theBelgians."
"Father," asked the actor's little son, "why does the Kaiser wear ahelmet with an eagle on the top of it?" "To show that he's 'got thebird,'" replied the brilliant Thespian.
By the way, the statement that "The Tsar has left for the theatre ofwar" has caused the keenest satisfaction in histrionic circles, where itis hoped that this illustrious example will cause the fashionable worldto revert to its habit of patro