Sees Spain Aid of Allies

1916

Former Premier Says Nation Must Soon Make Choice.

PARIS, France. — Spain must decide in favor of one or other of the groups of belligerents in the opinion of Antonio Maura, former premier and leader of the conservative party, according to news dispatches from Madrid, quoting an address delivered by Senor Maura.

The address was delivered at Beranga, near Bilbao, at a meeting attended by 6,000 Mauristas. The former premier declared, according to the dispatches, that the conditions of the war made Spain's isolation henceforth impossible. He is quoted as saying that it was moreover essential that France and England should not be hostile toward Spain.

The Madrid dispatches predict that Senor Maura's speech will cause a strong impression thruout the country, as his prestige was never so high as at present. The majority of his followers are supposed to be pro-German in their sympathies.

—The Saturday Blade, Chicago, Sept. 16, 1916, p. 3.

"Scissors" Dance Is Latest

1920

New Spanish Creation Proves Popular in Paris

PARIS, France, Jan. 1. — Independent popularity has followed the introduction from Madrid of the very latest dance creation, "The Scissors."

The dance is known in Spain as "Juanita" and is performed to the tune of that name. Its importer, a famous professional dancer, who is proprietor of one of Paris' largest dance halls, says, however, that it can be danced to any tango tune or slow waltz.

Good-By to the Train Boy

1901

Good-by to the train boy. On January 1, 1901, on two important American railroad systems, the experiment, heretofore tried tentatively, of excluding from their cars all peddling of popcorn, peanuts, cigars, newspapers, games, caramels, matches and magazines, was inaugurated and the "train boy" summarily done away with.

Against this innovation serious and urgent opposition was expected, for the train boy, with his wares, had come to be regarded, if not as a cherished, certainly as an unavoidable, incident of American passenger travel by railroad.

In the evolution of modern travel to its present point of excellence, the uniformed conductor distinguishable only by his metal badge, the loud-shouting brakeman, and car coupler disappeared, but the "candy or train boy" with his stock of peanuts and confectionery had lingered on, a burden to the patience of many travelers and an unnecessary survival of archaic railroading.


The Time in Spain

When the clock struck twelve on the dawn of the new century Spain inaugurated a change in the methods of computing time. Hereafter the clocks of that kingdom will count the hours from 1 to 24, instead of going as far 12 and then beginning all over again as they did the day before. The Madrid or Barcelona business man will rise at 7; go to work at 8:30; lunch at 12; quit for the day at 17; dine at 18; go to the theater at 20; reach home at 21:30; lunch 22:42; and retire at 23:30. —Exchange.

A Record Egg Yarn — I Don't Believe a Bit of It!

1909

A Record Egg Yarn

NEWTON, Iowa — The best egg story of the season comes from a farmer residing near Newton Iowa: "About a month ago," he says, "one of my hens got crazy with the desire of hatching a family of chicks, so, to please her, I secured fifteen choice looking eggs for her to set on. In selecting the eggs I noticed one unusually large, but of such symmetrical form that I decided to let it go as the fifteenth. This egg proved to be double and hatched two birds, one a duck and the other a turkey, and there they stood side by side, head and tail, for their wings were connected. I am sorry to say they lived only a short time, as neither would walk backward, both traveled forward in circles, each around the other, until both died from dizziness."


Marriage Law Sinful

NEW YORK, Oct. 6. — "Mrs. Stetson's belief that the marriage state is sinful and should be abolished, is the cause of her being deposed by the Christian Science church."

Such was the declaration of Mrs. Della M. Gilbert in her apartment at the Hotel Gotham. She is the leader of what she terms "the reform movement" in Christian Science. She will open a new church in the Hotel Gotham ballroom next Sunday.


Alfonso Ready To Flee

PARIS, France — The costly war in Morocco is rapidly precipitating a crisis in Spain which may bring about the overthrow of King Alfonso. Conditions in Spain are more nearly revolutionary than during the Barcelona upright. It is understood all arrangements have been made for a hurried departure of the royal family if the storm breaks.

Montenegro Residents Unhealthy; Matador Signs Big Contract

1919

Health Ignorance Hurts Montenegro

Paris, Sept. 12. -- Inhabitants of the mountains of Montenegro live in ignorance of the most elementary rules of hygiene and the strangest superstitions concerning diseases still flourish among them, says a report of the mission of the American Red Cross returned from that country.

Mountaineers believed that physical ailments were carried on the wings of baleful breezes, and that contagious diseases were distributed during dark nights by evil spirits. Thus they slept with their windows hermetically sealed and tuberculosis reigned supreme. The peasants received the advice, suggestions and medicine of the American Red Cross without enthusiasm.

--Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, New York, September 12, 1919, page 2.



MATADOR TO GET $600 EACH KILLING

Madrid, Spain, Sept. 12. -- Jose Gomez, one of the most widely known professional matadors, has signed a contract with the owners of a bull ring at Lima, Peru, in which it is agreed that he shall receive $600 for each exhibition if he kills six bulls, and a minimum of $280 if he kills only two bulls. The contract anticipates six exhibitions at Lima, which, it is stated, will probably mean more than $4,000 for Gomez, said to be a record prize for a matador.

--Syracuse Herald, Syracuse, New York, September 12, 1919, page 4.