The morning call., 1891-06-27
EDITORIAL NOTES.

Commander George A. Converse is to be Presi-
dent Of the Torpedo Board, consisting OF three
members which VIII conduct trials and expert
ments of great Importance TO the navy. The
New York Times is authority for The statement
that the Government proposes TO commence the
building of tOrpedOes and torpedo-Doats on an
extended scale. one hundred Whitehead tor
pedOes have been ordered as a starter, The con-
tract calling for higher grade than Is now being
furnished 10 British war-ships Each torpedo
must have speed of 81 knots over the first 400
yards run, aud of 20 knots over the second 400
yards. Fifty Howell torpedOes have also been
ordered. They must have speed OF 81 knots
over the first 400 yards run. The Ericsson
submarine torpedo-boat Destroyer is TO be
tested by the board. and a new steel torpedo
defense net of American make will be tried.
The assertion seems an extraordinary one. but II
Is said the new waT-shipS, though supplied with
torpedo tubes, carry no torpedoes. 1t will re-
quire $50 to fill up the torpedo allowance OF the
new vessels Of tie navy. Commander Converse
Is well qualified for the new duty assigned him,
having been for a number Of years Instructor at
the torpedo station at Newport.
In the Netherland elections the Liberals on
the first ballot secured forIy-One seats out Of the
100 members comprising The Chamber, and on
the second ballots for twenty-six seats are likely
10 secure enough 10 give them good working ma
pay turned were the approval OF the recent law
concerning military service and the extension of
the electoral franchise almost to thu limit Of uni.
versal suffrage. IL was only recently that The
Chamber maintained the necessity OF personal
military service and the abolition OF the substi-
tute system.
The ST. Petersburg ViedOmosti estimates that
since 1867, when this county bought Alaska
from Russia, The great northern peninsula has
yielded an Income OF nearly fourteen times as
much as The price that was paid for il. Doubt
less many can recall the strong opposition in
both houses OF Congress 10 Stewards purchase.
Another ST. Petersburg journal, IN commenting
on The TiedOmOStFS statement. added: "If we
remember that California was also once in our
possession, 1t seems that Providence has de-
creed that we should never profit by the wealth
of the New World"
Some idea Of the immense task OF counting
Uncle Sans cash as a result OF the retirement
OF Treasurer Huston may be CLEANED from The
fact that the great treasury vault al the ma
tioua capital covers more than a quarter of an
acre and is twelve feet deep. Ninety millions
IN silver has been stored there, an amount that
would load a couple OF hundred fTeght-car
There number Of other vaults whose con
tents are less in bulk but greater in value.
It is estimated by the american Banker that
the July interest and dividend disbursements.
which are bound to count as an important factor
In the monetary situation of the immediate
future, will aggregate for New York, Boston ana
Philadelphia over S100,OO0,oo0.
The Spanish commercial treaty has been
signed at Madrid. II goes into operation on
September Isl, which viii mark Tie commence
mrnt OF new era In our commercial relations
with The colonies Of Spain.