The morning call., 1891-08-09
EpITOHIAL NoIEs.

In naval circles there has Of late been con-
siderable speculation regarding the additions
likely to be made to the new navy IN the near
future. The Washington correspondent OF the
Baltimore Siul, who intmates that unless more
new ships are authorize by the next Congress
a whole year will be lost in naval construction,
adds thai In the meantime there is considerable
discussion as to the number and types of ships
that ought 10 be built IN The near future. No
one,' lie says, believes that the three battle
ships now under construction, The MaSsachu-
sets, Indiana aud Oregon, a!e all the vessels OF
that type that the navy ought TO have and
Secretary Tracy who is a believer In vessels
that need not run away from anything aii0at,
would be justified in asking for at least TWO or
three more battle ships. Another vessel that tile
Secretary thinks very highly of, and that would
undoubtedly give a good account OF herself in
naval war, is armored cruiser No. 2, the New
York, and il The United States in time OF war
had her and few more OF her class in commits
sion. they would not only be of great service IN
protecting American shipping OF their home
ports but they would compel an enemy 10 keep
a large part Of his arlnOred ships AT home 10 pro-
teci his home ports and commerce from these
rapid faGd powerful vessels That Will oyermatch
any protected cruisers and many light armored
ships. AS commerce destrOyers The distinctive
American design, Incorporated in cruisers Nos
IL and IL, could be repeated with advantage"
Cruiser No. 6, being constructed at The
Europe and back again without recoaling, is
considered an excellent design. Many naval
officers also urge that Congress should author
iZe number of vrss Is OF from 1000 to 5000
tens 10 carry effective ornaments of rapid-nre
guns, and having considerable coal endurance
and fair speed.
The alarmist reports of the French press re-
garding Emperor Williams health are being
semi officially belittled in Germany; but accord
Ing 10 the Figaro the Emperot's ear aifr cti0n is
constantly b coming worse, while the abscess Is
constantly gathering to gradually envelop
tile brain. SO long as the disease can BE- treated
from lie exterior, II says, and the abScess be
made to discharge externally, there is no great
danger TO be apprehended but should the cir
cumstances become Otherwise by internal spread
of The abseess there would he ut once danger OF
the brain being Itself imfamec, necessitating the
dreaded operation of trepanning.
That provision OF The new Mississippi eOnstl-
tuition Intended 10 reduce the negro vote, which
required all voters to pay poll-tax four months
before The election has had the effect its farmers
anticipated, more than three-quarters OF the
negroes entitled 10 vote having declined or failed
TO register. 1t Is also asserted that the provision
IN regard to an educational qualification will
sill further reduce lie number OF tie colored
vote.
Despite the Golden Clubs efforts, free trade
has been steadily losing ground. The Chairman
at the recent meeting held III London, stated
that in the last twenty-five years they bad circu.
lated 100000 books and pamphlets and H.
100000 leaflets. He admitted that the reports
from America and foreign countries In Europe
were not satisfactory