The morning call., 1891-10-08
EDITORIAL NOTES.

The death of William Henry Smith. the First
Lord of the Treasury, and leader in the House
OF Commons, has revived the impression that
Balfour VIII succeed to the Conservative leader.
ship. On the other hand 1t is asserted that
if The negotiations now pending for the recon-
struetlon OF the British Cabinet based OH the
absorption OF the Liberal Unionsts are sue
cessful, Goschen Will claim The position.
In view OF the relationship between
Premier Salisbury and Bafour, ii will
not be out OF place 10 recall the declaration
of well-known member OF Parliament on The
recent Cabinet appointments. Speaking of
Lowthers selection as Political Secretary for
The Foreign Office lie said: Who was II? A
gentleman with two recOmmendations-one that
lie belongs TO The Lowlher family, the other he
married niece of Lord Salisbury. What
more could any one desire? The Low
theirs have always lorded 1t over the
common folks. Add connection with Lord
Salisbury and their claims become
irresistible. But there are murmurs both loud
and deep In The Conservative party. Are these
the days for making everything bow down TO me-
poiSm and ariStocratic Influences? Are hard
working middle-class members OF the party al
ways to remain hewers OF wood and drawers of
water, without hope Of recognition or reward?
Yes, reply LOwthers and Salisbury. 1t is honor
enough for the vulgar herd to put governing fam
lilies INFO power. So runs the commandment;
but Go not be surprised If some ugly symptoms
Of REORGANIZATION show themselves IN the min
isterial ranks next session.
The fall State elections will be regarded
as an index Of the drift of political senti-
ment in the forthcoming national campaign.
The contests to WHICH particular attention Is
being devoted are those which occur in Ohio,
New York, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts
and Maryland. All except Pennsylvania select
Governors, and in all save the keystone State
Ua * bPfuu DrinpiDalIV
national issues. Willie Pennsylvania, Iowa,
Ohio and MasSachuse IS are Republican, except
in tidal wave years, they all now nave Dem
Ocratlc Governors. In New York, which has
been Democratic for several terms, the Repub-
licans calculate on prospect of victory.
1.-The War Cloud in Europe" was the topic of
a lecture recently delivered by Professor Totten
at Yale, when he quoted figures showing the
Triple Alliance has total force OF 7,39O,2O3
men, which, with the possible English cOutIn-
gent. makes an aggregate OF S,57l ,353 against
an ant-aiance force OF 9,55S,7I7, or
altogether force OF Is, 130,o70 men ready for
action, in time of peace and not including the
naval forces OF these nations. The numerical
strength OF the reserves was given as 71,5OO.-
600. The preparations were so complete that
in the event of hostility about one In every three
able bodied men would Immediately make ready
for The fay on land or sea.
The notice OF the pOstpOnement OF the Canadian
Reciprocity Conference, arranged TO take place
at Washington on the 18th of october, was re-
ceived with chagrin at Ottawa. Reciprocity in
any form, 1t is admitted is now question of the
dim future. The trade question is, however,
live issue In Canadian politics. both parties urg
ing reciprocity the Liberals only differing from
the Conservatives In the extent 10 which they
are willing to go. The nearer the next Presi.
Dental election approaches the less satisfactory
The prospect appears TO the politicians on the
other side OF our northern border.
The approaching torpedo experiments near
Portsmouth may inaugurate new departure in
naval warfare. A steamer is now being fitted up
10 carry comfortable torpedOes, each one Of which
contains d quarter of a ton OF gun-cOttoD,
has a range OF between two and three miles and
speed of twenty-five miles an hour. Armed with
these engines of destruction, 1t is asserted that
fotilIa of specially designed torpedo steamers
could act on the offensive and attack the enemy
Instead of remaining on the defensive and walt
Ing TO be attacked.
The Spanish Reciprocity Treaty makes such
large reduction In the duty on -four shipped to
Cuba that American exporters preparing for
i rushing trade. Indeed, a New York CORE
spOndent SAYS they have received Cuban orders
for 100000 barrels Of -four to be delivered dur
lug January next. The present duty Is Sc 20
barrel, but when the reduction goes into effect it
viii only be dollar.