The morning call., 1891-09-26
EDITORIAL NOTES.

Though The burdens of taxation incident to
the extensive ornaments OF the members OF the
Dreibund are exciting popular discomfort, the
limit manifestly has not yet been reached. The
Italian Ministers are driven almost to despera-
ton in attempts 20 raise much-needed coin,
while Austrian military men are discussing a
pamphlet, entitled The present situation In
Europe and the war budget of Austro- Hungary"
which declares that Austria Is not up to The de-
mands OF the times upon her military establish
ment, and that she must Introduce certain re-
forms in her army at an initial expense of about
SS,O00.000. 1t calls not only for an increase in
the standing army, but also urges large addl-
lions 10 tie list of officers. in view OF the fact
that in the next war the mortality will he I'M
usually great, and the reserves and militia will
be hurried to The front TO take tile places OF the
killed, there will be pressing necessity for ex-
perenced men 10 lead them, many of the best
officers having been left on The first battlefelds.
Suggestions are also made for an increase in the
artillery service willie in the cavalry, engineer
corps and commssary department reforms OF
less Importance are urged.
Senator w. D. Washburn divides foreign tour
lists into two classes-the cultured, who 20
abroad for rest or health, and come back with
brOadened minds, and the people of wealth, who
go abroad because 1t Is "the thing" and often
bring discredit on this country by their loud be-
hayiour aud snobbish airs. The latter, he as
serts, spend enormous sums with nothing to
show FOR 1t. All IN all. he estimates that $780,
100000 Of American gold has gone out with the
tourists this season, and argues that from ma
terial standpoint, this question Of American
travel is becoming quite serious one. Motives
OF patriotism ought TO impel many OF those who
wish to travel merely for pleasure to take In
some OF The sights OF our own land, for instance,
trip 10 California. 1t would result in millions
being circulated where they belong instead OF
being diverted &c foreign lands.
Experiments made at TOulon, France. to as
certain the time 1t would take to put that port In
a permanent and efficient state of torpedo de-
Tense resulted In the laying OF sixteen fixed
mines with all their electrical connections COM
plete in three hours. From these experiments
II was estimated that one day would suffice to so
completely arrange the torpedo defenses as to
make that harbor impossible TO an enemy's ship.
From iDtimatlOns given out from time TO time
a system of torpedo defense has been planned
for this port, description OF which, IL obtaina-
Bile, would doubtless furnish interesting reading;
but IL some OF the lou d. barking mortars and big
rifles being tried at Sandy Book were hurried
into position on the bluffs overlooking the
Golden Gate they would promote q feeling OF
greater confidence.
The prospect that a Southern free-silver ana
free-lrade Democrat Is almost sure to be elected
Speaker OF the next House OF Representatives
has excited the ire OF prominent members Of the
party in the North. A politician who occupied
prominent place in Cleveland's administration
thus sums up the situation; 1.-The Northern
Democrats have il III their power TO put into the
Speakers chair man who is conservative upon
the tariff and silver issues, but they seem to
have conceded that position TO the South and
we shall certainly have In The chair Mills or
Crisp or some other man OF that stripe who Is an
extremist 10 favor OF free trade and unlimited
silver coinage. For my part l believe we are
counting defeat In 1892 by taking this course"
The tTespassing OF Russian soldiers on Afghan
territory may have been intended as hint TO
England TO keep aloof from tile Dreibund. In
this connection the remarkable inspired article
in the ST. Petersburg Nopostt Of a recent date Is
significant. 1.-The Empire Of Russia" declared
that Journal sis already TOO extensive for her to
desire to add to 1t by the conquest OF India. IL
she is forced to undertake the enterprise at some
future date, II could only be as an act OF retail
alton for hostility shown by Great Britain to tie
Cars Government In Europe. On the other
hand, should Great Britain renounce her anti
Russian policy she would have nothing to fear
from Russia as regards India"
If half the reports in circulation prove true
indictments should not only be found against the
branded but unconvlcted feons now fleeing
from justice, but civil suits should also be insti.
tuted 10 recover property the result OF thieving
raids on tie city. Ii Boss Buekleys house at