The morning call., 1890-12-17
EDITORIAL NOTES.

The new protected frst-class British cruiser
Edgar recently launched at the Davenport Dock
yard, is one OF the nine vessels of the same class
being constructed at various public and private
yards in Britain. The Edgar is vessel of 1850
tons and 49, 600 horsepower. her cost being
e330, 600 for hul, equipment, machinery and
armament. She Is expected to make twenty
knots and Will be equipped with twelve breech-
loading and other guns of the newest type. She
has aD exceptionally strong protective deck ex-
tending over her whole length, and will be pro-
tecied from torpedo attacks by a complete net
defense embodying all the latest Improvements.
The Pirate which the Cramps are TO construct
for our new navy, Secretary Tracy declares will
be the fastest ship 10 The world. Her great
length. immense size and consequent ability to
MAINTAIN speed regardless OF heavy seas, 1t is
estimated will give her, with her 90, 900 horse
power engines, continuous steaming power of
TWEEN y-two knots an hour and the ability to
make a squirt OF twenty-four knots an hour In an
emergency. The Pirate is the vessel that Is to
be provided with three screws, and with engines
OF almost double the capacity OF the Edgar's
woula soon be able toloverhaul or distance the
British vessel
One feature OF shipping casualties the result
OF collisions that has been repeatedly noted Is
the disposition OF the guilty skipper TO clap on
all sail and leave the vessel disabled through his
cafelessneSS at the mercy OF the sea. To make
this practice unpopular the President has issued
proclamation putting into effect the recent act
OF Congress- which provides that In every case of
collision between Two vessels IL shall be the duty
of The master in charge of each vessel to stay by
the other vessel until he has ascertained that
she has no need OF further assistance. If skip
per fails TO comply with the provisions of the
law, and no reasonable cause for such failure Is
shown, the collision shall, in the absence of
proof 10 The contrary, be deemed to have been
caused by his wrongful act neglect or default.
failure to comply with the provisions of the
act Is punishable by fine OF $1,000 or imprson-
ment for a term not exceeding two years. The
law Is plainly In the interest OF humanity. and
designed 10 largely reduce the loss Of life result
Ing from collisions at sea.
AS light fails to penetrate the great depths of
the ocean there has been considerable specula-
lions as TO how the denizens of the deep OBJ
tained survey of their surroundings to avoid
danger. The naturalist on board the marine
survey steamer Investigator while on the re-
cent cruise in the Indian Ocean, made the inter-
esting discovery that some deepsea crustaeeaus
are highly luminous, thus furnishing what is be-
lleved to be the first positive proof that the
source OF light In the dark abysses of the ocean
Is the self-umnosity of its inhabitants. large
prawn. lying in bucket OF sea water on deck,
was observed TO be shining brightly and on being
seized emitted copious clouds of phosphor-
essence. By the light of the luminous secretion
tue Hdiultll5I was dUti luuuSu OlutTWlSt Ill
perfect darkness 10 watch the living occupants
OF The bucket. After the removal OF the prawn
the water remained luminous for some time.
Repre- sentative Dineley is inclined TO believe
that those residents of New England and the
Republicans in The Northwestern States who
have been led astray by the cry for free raw
MATERIAL" and voted the Democratic ticket un-
der the impression that the Democratic policy in
the next Congress would be In favor of free raw
material aud projected finished products, are
likely 10 be disappointed So Ear as lie could
judge from conversations with leading Demo
Gratis The articles which they will be inclined to
put the Tree list in the next Congress are
neither iron ore nor coal, but binding twiue, cot
ton ties. agricultural and other machinery, WOOL
en- cloths. blankets. haDnels. worseds, manu-
featured lumber. ana many other finished prod
ucts. In other words, the cry Of free raw
MATERIAL was merely used to catch votes.
Evidently England does not desire to encour
age the location OF aliens on the Bermudas,
where she has established a great naval station
within short distance OF our Atlantic ports,
for II is announced that the people OF the Islands
are greatly exercised over the recent refusal of
the Imperial Government, III dehanc of colonial
laws which have existed for third OF a century
TO allow aliens, even When naturalized, to own
real estate on the group. The Legislature says
it is impossible to exaggerate the disastrous
results of The continuation OF such policy, but
the home Government Is likely to maintain a
selfish vi w of The matter in view OF the strategic
Importance OF the Islands.
One of the efforts of the Pan-American Con-
ference is seen In the establishment OF a new line
of steamers on the west coast OF South America,
the capital being furnished by the merchants
and bankers Of Valparaiso and Santiago, en-
couraged by The prospect OF a Government SUBJ
sidy.