The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-06-25
EDITORIAL NOTES.

The substitute International Copyright
Bill reported to the House by the Commit
tee on Patents purports to permit foreign
ers to take out American copyrights on the
same basis as citizens in these cases, viz:
when the nation of the foreigner permits
copyrights to Americans on substantially
the same basis as its own citizens, when
the nation of the foreigner gives to Ameri-
caNs copyright privileges similar to those
provided for in the bill, and when the ma
ton of the foreigner is a party to an inter-
national agreement providing for reclpro-
city in copyright by the terms of which
agreement the United States can become
party thereto at its pleasure. An import
ant provision of the bill is that all books
copyrighted under the proposed act shall
be printed from type set within the United
States or from plates made therefrom.
The artesian-wel investigation in the
West under the auspices of the Depart
ment of Agriculture has proved a profitable
one, the cost being a mere bagatelle COM
pared with the results. The report of
Colonel Nettleton, the Chief Engineer in
charge, will show where the artesian
basins are, their extent and the best judg-
ment of scientific experts as TO the water
supply that can be depended upon. The
greatest artesian belt of the country is that
which undeIlieS the greater part of the two
Dakotas. Next to the discoveries in the
Dakotas the most important conclusions
were developed in Colorado. Colonel Net
Teton thinks it will be great mistake if
the artesian-well inquiry is not pursued
still further There is a vast section on the
coast to which it might proftably be di-
rected.
The President is in favor of adopting ade-
quate measures TO prevent the destruction
of timber upon public lands. He is said to
be of the opinion that if proper penalties
were imposed by law and few convictions
secured great damage to the forests could
be prevented. The law Congress is urged
TO enact declares it TO be miSdemeanOr for
any one to maliciously destroy or negli-
gently set on fire timber on Government
lands. A conviction may result in fine OF
not more than three times the value Of the
growth destroyed, or Imprisonment not
more than three years, or both
Premier MERCER and his associates have
scored big victory in the Quebec elections.
the Governments majority in the new Leg
iSlature being placed at twenty-three to
twenty-five in a House OF seventy-five men,
bers. The result is considered a severe
blow to Sir John Macdonald, who derives
most of his support from Quebec. The
Grand Trunk Railway gave MERCER consid-
cradle assistance in revenge for Sir Johns
lavish supply of Federal subsidies to the
Canadian Pacific.
1t is now proposed to add to the new
navy the fastest cruiser ever produced. The
plans provide for the construction of a YES
sci 400 feet long, So feet beam, 1900 tons dis
placement, 90, $50 horsepower and speed
of twenty-five knots or more over meas
ured mile. A unique feature will be three
propellers. With a protective deck and
guns of large caliber she promises to be a
very formidable vessel.
Berlin advices report that the large farm
ers of Pomerania intend to hire Chinese
laborers. and that extensive orders have
been sent to Heng-Kong for them. The
band of Celestials encamped on the south
ern border waiting for an opportunity to
enter this country ought to seize this op-
portuEity to better their condition. They
can very well be spared, and many more
with them